Sober Living in Burlington, VT
Quitting drugs and alcohol after years of addiction or even short-term heavy abuse can be very difficult for some addicts. Ending the cycle of abuse doesn't mean that you're done getting treatment, though you should give yourself a pat on the back for taking the first step. After inpatient treatment though, many people benefit from sober living in Burlington.
Sober living is more than just a concept and a way of life. For many people, it is a type of treatment that comes after leaving an inpatient facility. While it might be frightening to immediately seek more treatment after leaving rehab, sober living in Burlington has helped put many people on the right path toward long-term sobriety.
Use this guide to understand more about the long-term benefits of sober living and how most programs work. When you're ready, reach out to find professionals who want to get you into sober living in Burlington right away. The longer you wait, the more at risk you are of potentially dealing with a painful relapse that can be hard to bounce back from.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living in Burlington generally means a residential home or facility where you live with other addicts in recovery. The goal is to help you learn how to get back to normal life in a safe, controlled environment.
In general, you will be responsible for taking care of the home, staying sober and maybe even working. Addiction programs in Burlington and their recovery processes are dependent on the facility itself, but all sober living homes aim to keep you sober through the use of a 24/7 support group.
Many sober living facilities combine typically principles with those of SMART recovery. This specialized treatment aims to help addicts understand their addiction and self-manage so they're able to deal with the pressure of daily life once they leave a monitored facility.
SMART recovery programs typically have a few main goals that they aim to emphasize when working with recovering addicts:
- Building motivating factors that help an addict stay clean and sober. Maintaining these motivating factors and updating goals is also an essential part of this kind of treatment.
- Dealing with urges to use or go back to old habits.
- Handling thoughts, feelings and temptation as they come to you. Many negative thoughts are likely to enter an addicts head once they leave treatment. Knowing how to manage these thoughts can ensure that you are able to stay clean and sober even in the face of temptation, anxiety or temporary depression.
- Finding balance in your life so you don't feel you need to turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort.
These are just a few of the main tenets of SMART recovery as a treatment program. Reach out to professionals in your area to learn more about how sober living in Burlington and SMART recovery can help you change your life once and for all.
How Long Would I Have to Stay in a Sober Living House?
The amount of time that you'll spend in sober living in Burlington tends to be up to the facility and the specific program that you're working with. In general, there is no set length of time that you can spend in a sober living house, though this may vary.
Some people spend six months in a sober living house, while others may want to be there for years. Other individuals even stay to help other addicts manage their lives once they find themselves on the right path.
Are There Rules in a Sober Living House?
Sober living houses do have rules, though, like the duration of your stay, they do vary from facility to facility. Common rules that you'll find in a sober living house include:
- No drinking or using drugs. Some facilities require regular testing, many without warning residents first.
- Attendance at regular meetings, often conducted in the house, is often mandatory. Some programs may require 12-step enrollment or other treatment as well.
- You'll likely need to pitch in with housework and maintenance. Many sober living houses have a set chore schedule.
- You may be required to work, go back to school or do something otherwise productive after a set period of time living in a sober living facility.
No matter how serious your addiction was, sober living can help. Reach out to the addiction advisors at Burlington Alcohol Treatment Centers can work with your rehab facility to learn more about your options. (877) 804-1531