The increase in fentanyl in Santa Monica street drugs has made recovery more urgent than ever before. Fentanyl leads to higher overdose rates, making substance abuse significantly more life-threatening than it already was. Rehabilitation is a long journey. Many people who participate in inpatient programs are looking for an alternative to rehab as they come back to their day-to-day lives.
Santa Monica sober living homes are a great option. Sober living provides a safe space while you adjust to a life without substance use.
Ready to learn more about sober living in Santa Monica? Read on to learn why sober living might be the best rehab alternative for you.
What Is Sober Living?
What is sober living and how is it different than other treatments for addiction? Sober living broadly refers to living environments occupied by guests who have committed to the addiction recovery process.
Sober living homes share many of the same goals as other addiction treatment programs. The key difference is in how sober living works. All substances are disallowed in sober living homes and guests must commit to their sobriety, but they have more freedom in leaving the property throughout the day to run errands, go to off-site appointments, and begin working or volunteering in the community.
Sober living homes don’t just provide a safe, sober-free environment. Guests also access a variety of wellness modalities and transportation to clinical treatment programs. On-site staff members work hard to provide the care and support needed to live a substance-free life for the long-term.
Who is sober living for? Sober living is for anyone who is ready to recover from addiction but doesn’t require round-the-clock medical care during the detox stages. Many people transition from detox or inpatient programs into sober living homes, and that transition can make all of the difference in your long-term success.
Why You Should Consider Sober Living in Santa Monica, CA
What are the benefits of sober living? Sober living homes can provide a safe space to continue your recovery journey while limiting some of the external factors that can lead to relapse. Studies show that relapse is most likely in the first 90 days of recovery, and thanks to the benefits we’ll discuss below, sober living homes can get you closer to that 90-day mark and beyond it.
Access to a Sober Community
If you have recently begun your recovery journey, it is likely that you are accustomed to seeing or spending time with others who also use or have addictions to various substances. Seeing those people in the early stages of recovery can trigger your desire to use a substance and increase the chances of relapsing.
In a sober living home, you are surrounded by other guests who are committed to sobriety. This is an opportunity to create new relationships and build a community rooted in recovery, rather than substance abuse.
Substance-Free Living Space
All intoxicating substances are prohibited in sober living homes. Any guests who break these rules will not be permitted to stay, a rule that is designed to protect all guests.
Relapse is more likely in the early stages of recovery because the mind and body are still adjusting away from a substance-based reward system. By residing in a substance-free living space, you limit your exposure to substances and the temptation to use them.
Increased Accountability
Accountability is crucial during the recovery process. In a sober living home, you have regular access to individual and group therapy sessions as well as access to your sober community. In addition, all sober living guests are subject to random drug and alcohol testing to encourage abstaining from substance use both on and off the property.
Most people will face 100% accountability while attending inpatient programs and some outpatient programs. Losing that accountability in the transition out of these programs can make sobriety difficult. Sober living homes put you in control of your choices without removing that needed accountability.
Routine and Stability
Creating a routine that doesn’t involve substance use is crucial. Guests create routines that involve:
- health and wellness practices
- third-party clinical treatments
- community-based activities
- indoor activities
- outdoor activities
They then receive support and encouragement while implementing these routines. Sober living homes give you the time and space to adjust to a routine-based life without the instability that can come with our typical day-to-day. This stability allows guests to focus on a new way of living that they can carry over into the rest of their lives.
Support While Rebuilding
Ultimately, recovery doesn’t start and stop with a detox. Long-term recovery requires an awareness of triggers and developing healthy coping mechanisms. It requires a commitment to building a new life and better relationships with ourselves and others.
Like other addiction treatments, sober living homes are a stepping stone in the recovery process. While staying in a sober living home, you can access treatment modalities with regularity. You can also begin to think about how you will navigate work, leisure, and relationships without substances.
You don’t have to make the transition back into your daily life alone. Sober living in California has been an integral part of many individuals’ recovery journeys.
Consider Little Beach House as an Alternative to Rehab
If you’re looking for an alternative to rehab, consider Little Beach House in Santa Monica. Our sober living home contains private suites, private rooms, and shared rooms. We work hard to create recovery programs that cater to your individual needs.
Are you ready to embark on your recovery journey? If so, contact us today to learn more about our sober living home in Santa Monica. We look forward to talking with you about the next steps toward sobriety.
