Many individuals have a difficult time getting or staying sober due to an inability to access stable, affordable, and drug-free housing. After individuals leave addiction treatment, they are thrown into the outside world, without the safety of a treatment facility.
Unfortunately, it is common for the stress of attempting to reacclimate into society to lead to financial issues, incarceration, homelessness, and eventually- relapse. When recovering addicts are not living in a stable, affordable, and supportive environment during early recovery, their risk of relapse increases substantially. Because of this, addiction specialists in New Jersey always recommend newly sober individuals to attend a sober living home or halfway house after completing traditional addiction treatment.
If you or a loved one have just completed treatment, you must find a reputable sober living housing program to attend. However, it can be extremely difficult to find a program that you trust.
Let’s take a look at the most important aspects of finding a safe and supportive sober living home in New Jersey.
What to Look for in a New Jersey Sober Living Home
Just like addiction treatment facilities, no sober living home is created equally. Unfortunately, because sober living and halfway homes are not regulated, many owners and managers of these properties take advantage. Because of this, when choosing a sober living home, it is important to pay attention to several factors, including location, setting, the price of the program, amenities, the length of stay allowed, and the structure and expectations of the home.
Location and Setting
Before choosing a sober living home in New Jersey, you should visit the area and tour the home. You must make sure the home is not located in a dangerous area so that you will feel safe and secure while residing there.
It is also good practice to pay attention to what is around the home so you make a choice that aligns with your specific recovery needs. To explain, some individuals may prefer to live in an area with as few triggers as possible. This means avoiding areas with high amounts of crime and drug-related activities. Other individuals may prefer to live in an area where triggers are present, so they can learn to adapt and deal with triggers in a safe environment before transitioning to solo living.[1]
Lastly, you may want to choose a sober living home that is close to your support system (friends, family, support groups, etc.). Oftentimes, individuals have an easier time recovering while they are close to their loved ones, as they can continue to lean on them for support when they need it.
The Price and Affordability
You must understand the financial obligations associated with living at the sober living home before making your decision. Typically, similar to renting an apartment, there will be a fee that you are responsible for. To avoid being taken advantage of or scammed, you should understand what each fee is for.
For example, some questions you might want to ask the sober living manager include the following:
- Is there a security deposit required?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- Is there an additional fee for utilities?
- Can I have a breakdown of all of the costs and fees I will be responsible for?
Amenities and Benefits Offered
Once you have considered the location and cost of a New Jersey sober living home, you may want to look into the amenities and benefits the home offers. When considering the amenities, you should ask yourself if those amenities support or benefit your recovery in some way. For example, some sober living homes include home gyms, pools, or even saunas. If your personal relaxation and self-care techniques include these activities, you may want to find a sober living home that offers those amenities.
Length of Stay Allowed
When finding a sober living home in New Jersey, you typically want to choose a home that allows you to stay as long as you want or need. Of course, this relies on you complying with their rules, such as remaining alcohol- and drug-free and respecting your roommates.
Some sober living homes will require a 6 month or 1-year commitment, as they want to ensure they set you up for success before you leave. However, some sober living homes may not have required lengths of stay, or do not allow individuals to stay longer for 6 months. Typically, it is recommended to live in a sober home for a year before transitioning to independent living.
Structure and Expectations
Effective and reputable halfway homes promote recovery and offer accountability through the use of rules and expectations. It is important to find a sober living that requires sobriety before admission. Homes that require sobriety usually require residents to agree to random drug tests and breathalyzer testing, as this is very important in keeping recovering addicts and alcoholics accountable. Additionally, it is common for New Jersey sober homes to have an established curfew, as this promotes accountability and keeps recovering residents from attending night-life events that promote drug and alcohol abuse.
A good sober living will require recovery behaviors such as continuing substance abuse counseling or attending 12-step meetings. Oftentimes, sober living homes provide residents with a sheet to have signed at each support group meeting or therapy session they attend. This also promotes accountability and reinforces a habit of continually attending recovery maintenance activities.
Find a Sober Living Home in New Jersey Today
Going to sober living after completing addiction treatment is not only recommended, but it is a sure-fire way to ensure long-term sobriety after rehab.[2] If you or a loved one are having a hard time finding a reputable sober living home to attend, contact New Jersey Interventions today. Our highly-qualified and trained addiction specialists will help you or someone you love to find a sober living home that meets your every need.
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Medically Reviewed: January 5, 2021
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.