Sober living homes offer 24-hour sober support for teens after rehab. First, although kids may wish to return home, it is important to maintain recovery.
Sober Living Homes
After inpatient rehab, sober living offers support and supervision. Furthermore, sober homes also provide accountability.
Offers teens:
- Continued focus on recovery
- 24-hour monitoring and supervision
- Academic support
- More time to rebuild relationships
Therefore, this is a great option for teens who are working toward balance in their lives.
Focus on Ongoing Recovery
In sober living, teens enjoy safety and a focus on healthy living. As a result, teens build confidence and coping skills.
Parents can expect teens will enjoy:
- Regular meetings with a case manager and/or therapist
- House meetings
- Continued sobriety, also accompanied by random drug testing
- House rules
In conclusion, enrollment helps teens stay engaged in their recovery.
Is Sober Living Necessary?
Some situations that warrant sober living include:
- Active drug or alcohol use at home
- When further mental health care is necessary
- Domestic violence or abuse at home
Rebuilding Family Relationships in Sober Living
Family therapy should continue during sober living. Parents are often allowed access to a sober living home for various reasons, including:
- Family therapy sessions
- Family events
- Visiting times
- Workshops and other meetings
Academic Support
Teens often work on academics during treatment. This ensures that they are on track when they return home. Consequently, it may be appropriate for teens to enjoy other academic support options, including:
- Tutoring
- SAT prep
- College prep
- Job skills support
- Career counseling
- Help with college admissions and planning
Will I Be Able to Visit My Child?
Yes. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the recovery process.
Amenities
At a quality home, teens can expect:
- Fewer patients (often fewer than a dozen)
- A wider range of resources
- Private and semi-private room options
- Flexibility of schedule and family visitation
- Extras: in-house yoga, meditation nooks, a swimming pool, hiking trails on site, and/or others
Halfway Houses vs. Sober Living Homes
People often confuse halfway houses and sober living homes. There are few halfway houses that take teens. Most are for adults who need supervision for a period of time.
In a sober living home, residents must maintain sobriety. In addition, patients must attend therapy, meetings, holistic/alternative therapies, and family therapy. This consequently improves their short-term as well as the long-term health.
Rules and Regulations
Teens must follow the rules and they must be respectful.
Other regulations that are also a part of the sober living experience:
- Household chores such as meal prep and basic tidying
- Regular times for going to bed, getting up, and attending meals
- House meetings
- Addressing conflicts through a positive, nonviolent mediation with a counselor
- Curfews
- Using cellphones and other electronic devices when it is permissible
While in a sober living home, teens earn privileges if they follow the rules and focus on their program.
A Typical Day at a Teen Sober Living Home
Each patient is different, so not everyone in the house will have the same schedule. Residents are given the opportunity to personalize their schedule.
Is a Sober Living Home Right for Your Child?
Once teens have a foundation in recovery, you can determine whether a stay in a sober living home is best.
If you need help taking the next step or would like to enroll your teen in treatment, contact us today. Find out more about our programs here at Newport Academy.
Image courtesy of Jeremy Cai via Unsplash.