Sober Living in Harrisonburg, VA

In an article in the New York Times on the state of free, Medicaid-supported inpatient addiction treatment provided to the poor in New York state, there was a high rate of relapse found. Many poor people were found to go through a perpetual revolving door, coming back to spend as many as 100 days of each year in rehab. One important reason found behind this alarming statistic: a lack of sober living treatment. Sober Living in Harrisonburg include programs that help patients transition from treatment to life out in the real world. A lack of help with the transition process can seriously harm one's chances of long-term success. There are quality facilities for sober living in Harrisburg.

What Is Sober Living?

The sober living concept has been around for close to two centuries. In the beginning, the Salvation Army managed "dry hotels" as a form of rehab. Since 19th-century science didn't understand addiction well enough to be able to offer real medical detox as it is recognized today, these were one of the best options available. People addicted would check in as a way to subject themselves to healthy restriction -- there was no drink allowed in these homes, and very little freedom to get out.

Today, a sober living facility is a home intended for people graduating from rehab. Living a half-dozen or so to a home and one or two to a room, program participants use these facilities as a way to ease their way into the freedom of regular life once they graduate from the more restrictive life of rehab.

Modern sober living communities tend to be comfortable, suburban homes with several bedrooms, each bedroom shared by one or two in recovery.

What Happens at a Sober Living Facility?

Sober living treatment centers aim to help transition people coming out of the strictly regimented life of rehab, to the freedom of regular life. When a resident arrives at such a home, they are put through a system of progressive freedom -- life for the new arrival begins with the greatest amount of discipline and rigidity, and progresses over time to one of greater freedom.

The rules at a sober living facility are enforced both by senior residents of the home, as well as management. Not only are there strictly enforced sobriety tests, drug tests, curfews, visitor restrictions, lights-out times, and mealtimes, there are chores assigned to each member, as well. As a rule, new arrivals are assigned a greater number of tough chores as a way to help them learn discipline.

Residents are required to make every attempt to re-enter regular life, say, by going to school or a job, and they are offered group therapy sessions and other forms of therapy. Senior residents of these programs are expected to take junior members on to mentor them and to help them adjust to sober living in Harrisonburg

How Is Sober Living Different from Inpatient Treatment?

While both programs require participants to stay at a facility, the main difference with sober living is that there is very little actual treatment involved. While a certain amount of therapy does happen at sober living programs, these programs aren't primarily aimed at the delivery of such treatment. These are places mainly aimed at helping people find ways to prepare for the rigors of regular life.

Is Sober Living Really Necessary?

Sober living treatment is often paid for by insurance programs and government programs, an indication that they are essential. Studies have found that sober living does help improve long-term sobriety rates.

Finding a Quality Sober Living Facility

Sober living in Harrisonburg can run the range from top-notch, evidence-based establishments run by reputed rehabs to ones managed by inexperienced people out to make a quick buck. In general, it's a good idea to look for the following features:

• Is the facility managed by people with specific experience in addiction treatment in Harrisonburg?
• Are people at the facility treated with compassion, rather than harsh discipline?
• Does the facility offer supplemental services such as skills training or employment assistance?
• Does the facility offer therapy in a form you can live with? A facility that offers spiritual 12-step programs alone, for instance, may not be suitable for all.
• Is the program designed with sensitivity to those of the LGBT community? Is it safe for women?
• Do they offer activities such as sports?
• Is the food good and nutritious?

If the therapists that you've worked with in addiction treatment believe that you do need to make the sober living transition to real life, it's a recommendation you should take seriously.

In general, when you look for sober living in Harrisonburg, it's important to look for reviews or testimonials. Personal conversations with current residents and recent alumni can be an excellent way to come upon a good choice, as well. Call Harrisonburg Drug Rehab Centers now at (877) 804-1531.