What is Sober Living?

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What is sober living is a question commonly asked by those seeking to initiate addiction recovery. After completing an inpatient treatment program, sober living provides a supportive setting for individuals to ease back into their daily routines. Reintegrating into regular life can prove challenging during the recovery process, making sober living a potentially worthwhile choice for many grappling with drug addiction or alcoholism.

Sober living entails residing in a communal setting with peers committed to sobriety and undergoing similar stages of recovery. It serves as an intermediary step between an inpatient program and a person’s regular living arrangements. Following residential treatment, many people opt to reside in a sober living home before transitioning back to their own residences more smoothly.

This guide addresses concerns that include:

  • What is sober living housing?
  • What is a sober living facility intended for?
  • What is a sober living house in Cincinnati and how can I learn more?

Who is Sober Living For?

For anyone wondering what is a sober house for, it is mainly intended for individuals who have recently completed a rehabilitation program for substance abuse or addiction. It is especially beneficial for those who may not yet feel completely confident in their ability to maintain sobriety while reintegrating into their home environment. 

Additionally, sober living can be an essential resource for anyone who lacks a stable and supportive living situation, as it offers a structured and secure environment conducive to maintaining abstinence. 

Beyond this, sober living communities provide an effective pathway for those seeking to foster a strong sober support network, as it encourages communal living with peers who share similar goals and challenges in their recovery journey, and who have lived experience of substance abuse.

An image of a group of friends who are celebrating sober living

How Can I Find a Good Sober Living Facility?

Finding a reputable and reliable sober living facility can help streamline the transition into a supportive living environment. Consider the following steps to locate a good sober living facility:

  • Research: Conduct thorough research online to identify reputable sober living facilities in your desired location. Look for facilities with positive reviews and a strong track record of helping individuals in their recovery journey.
  • Seek recommendations: Reach out to your healthcare provider, counselor, or members of a support group for recommendations. They may have worthwhile insights and can refer you to trusted sober living facilities.
  • Visit facilities: Plan visits to potential sober living facilities to assess the living conditions, amenities, and overall atmosphere. A firsthand experience can help you determine whether the environment aligns with your needs and preferences.
  • Review programs and support services: Evaluate the programs and support services offered by each facility. Ensure that they provide resources like counseling, group therapy, life skills training, and aftercare planning to support your recovery journey after discharge from the facility.
  • Consider location: Choose a sober living facility located in a safe neighborhood that induces a sense of peace and security. Also, consider proximity to essential resources like healthcare facilities, support groups, and employment opportunities.
  • Review rules and regulations: Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the sober living facility to ensure that they gel with your recovery goals and lifestyle. Clear guidelines can contribute to a structured and supportive environment for your sobriety journey.
  • Verify accreditation: Confirm that the sober living facility has the necessary licenses and certifications, ensuring that it meets the required standards for providing effective care and support.

By following these steps and conducting comprehensive research, you can find a reputable sober living facility that aligns with your goals and provides the necessary support for a successful transition back into everyday life.

What is Sober Living Like?

What is a sober living house like, then? Sober living environments are structured to foster a supportive and recovery-focused atmosphere, offering residents a unique experience that simplifies their journey toward sobriety.

Supportive community

Sober living fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared experience among residents who are all committed to maintaining sobriety. The communal living aspect encourages peer support, accountability, and the development of meaningful, sober relationships.

Accountability and structure

Residents of a sober living community are expected to adhere to certain rules and guidelines, promoting accountability and discipline. These may include mandatory attendance at support group meetings, curfews, participation in household chores, and maintaining sobriety.

Recovery-oriented programs

Sober living environments often provide access to various recovery programs and support services – group therapy sessions, educational workshops, life skills training, and relapse prevention programs, for instance. These resources aim to equip residents of the community with the tools necessary for sustained sobriety and successful reintegration into daily life.

Safe and substance-free environment

Sober living homes maintain a strict policy against substance use, providing a safe and supportive space free from the triggers and temptations that could potentially lead to relapse. This environment encourages residents to develop healthy coping mechanisms and habits conducive to maintaining long-term sobriety.

Personal growth and development

Sober living promotes personal growth and development by emphasizing the importance of self-care, responsibility, and goal-setting. Residents are encouraged to pursue education, employment opportunities, and hobbies that contribute to their overall well-being and positive lifestyle changes.

Guidance and mentorship

Many sober living facilities offer guidance and mentorship from experienced staff or individuals who have successfully maintained long-term sobriety. These mentors provide insights, advice, and emotional support, promoting a sense of hope and optimism for residents in their recovery journey.

an image of next step recovery, a sober living house

Find Support for Maintaining Sobriety at Ohio Recovery Centers

If you need help achieving and maintaining sobriety, consider engaging with treatment at Ohio Recovery Centers in Cincinnati, OH.

We specialize in treating all types of addictions in an outpatient setting, providing a flexible and affordable pathway to ongoing sobriety. For those who require more support and structure, our IOP (intensive outpatient program) delivers a more immersive experience than traditional outpatient treatment.

All Ohio Recovery Centers treatment programs offer a personalized blend of behavioral, holistic, and pharmacological therapies for a whole-body approach to achieving and maintaining sobriety.

When you are ready to move beyond alcohol addiction, allow us to help. Call 877-679-2132 for more information and immediate assistance.

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Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
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Christopher Glover CDCA

My name is Christopher Glover, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently in school and working to grow in competence to better support our community. As a recovering individual I know the struggles that you or a loved one can go through and that there is help for anything you may be struggling with.

The hardest part is asking for help and we are here as a team to best support you and your decision to start your journey towards a better future. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

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Amanda Kuchenberg PRS CDCA

I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager. I am originally from Wisconsin but settled in the Cincinnati area in my early 20s.  My career started in the fashion industry but quickly changed as I searched to find my drive and passion through helping others who struggle with addiction. 

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.  I currently have my Peer Recovery Support Supervision Certification along with my CDCA and plan to continue my education with University of Cincinnati so I can continue to aid in the battle against substance addiction. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

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Patrick McCamley LCDC III

 Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick received his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Cincinnati in 2021 and received his LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2022. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career.

Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery.

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Bill Zimmerman CDCA

Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020.

Bill has worked in Clinical Operations in both support and supervision, and Program facilitating and 12 step recovery support during his career. Bill has a passion for the recovery community, having been in recovery himself since 1982. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

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Taylor Lilley CDCA, PRS

Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.

Sharing my experience offers a credibility and a certain type of trust with clients that only someone who has walked down this road can illustrate. To immerse myself further into the field of addiction, I am currently studying at Cincinnati State for Human and Social Services.  I hope I never forget where I came from, if I can do it, so can you!

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Thomas Hunter LSW

Hello my name is Thomas Hunter. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy.

I strive each day to serve my purpose of helping those in need and I believe I do so by utilizing all of my experiences to accomplish my goal of supporting those who desire to establish their sobriety and maintain it in their recovery. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

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Mary D.Porter,LICDC

 My name is Mary D. Porter. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2008 from The University of Cincinnati. I received My Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure in 2001. I retired from The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center on April 14, 2014. Currently, I am the Associate Clinical Director for The Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.. Due to the fourth wave of the Opioid Epidemic in 2019,  I decided to enter back into the workforce to assist the addicted population.

The overdoses were astounding and I wanted to help.  I consider myself  to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and  love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.

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Ben Lemmon LCDC III

Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction.

When I first meet a client, I always explain to them that the reason we are meeting is because they are not capable of obtaining or maintaining sobriety, and my goal is to create a person that can maintain sobriety. I believe a person’s personality is made up of their thoughts, feelings and actions and my job is to help clients identify the thoughts, feelings and actions that have them disconnected from recovery and provide them with the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn