Sober living facilities are residential centers designed for individuals who are in substance abuse recovery and who are ready to leave intensive inpatient rehab but who may not be ready or strong enough in their recovery to go back home yet. These facilities are typically group homes where all of the residents are expected to follow the same rules, undergo drug and alcohol testing, perform certain household chores, and stay clean and sober while they live at the facility. This environment promotes the recovery process and lowers the risk of relapse after the individual has left rehab. Adjusting to life without addictions can be a challenge and these facilities can help recovering addicts meet these challenges in a way that is less stressful. These facilities may be owned by private individuals, charitable organizations, and even businesses.
One of the biggest rules in sober living facilities is that every resident must stay clean and sober while they reside in the residence. Residents have greater freedom than they did while they were in rehab, and most facilities offer resources for substance abuse recovery such as group therapy sessions which may be mandatory. The goal is to transition from rehab to home without a big risk of relapsing, and to give the individual in recovery some space so that they can adjust to life without drugs or alcohol before they head home to the same environment that they used in. People who have substance abuse issues are typically irresponsible and make poor choices. Sober living facilities can help the individual make better choices, and the threat of being made to leave the facility if testing positive for drugs or alcohol may keep the individual from using while they are still trying to recover.
