When a newly recovering addict leaves the intensive, nurturing environment of inpatient treatment, the real world can be quite a shock. Being in charge of a brave new sober world can be overwhelming and scary while being exciting at the same time. This is the time where Sober Houses come into play. Sober Houses are secure, professionally designed communal living situations where newly sober residents can land immediately after rehab treatment.
Residents of Sober Houses have strict rules to abide by in order to continue living there. The penalties for breaking those rules vary from monetary fines and essay writing to immediate ejection from the Sober House premises. Some of the rules for recovering addicts residing at a Sober House include:
-An absolute zero tolerance policy regarding any type of drugs or alcohol on the premises. This includes such medicine cabinet things as cold medications and after shave because of the high alcohol content these things contain.
-A zero tolerance policy is also in place pertaining to violence, sexual activity on the property and stealing of any kind.
-Zero tolerance for unexplained absences or violations of curfew times.
-Frequent surprise, random checks that residents agree to submit to when they move in.
-Each and every resident must have a job, be actively seeking a job or be a full-time student enrolled in vocational training or an accredited school. If a recovering addict is disabled, they must do what they can for the community or the house.
-Each person living at the Sober House has at least one daily chore to complete in the keeping up of the home.
-All residents will share a bedroom with a least one other person.
-Every resident must attend a set minimum number of meetings each week
While rules may seem stringent or stifling, remember they are in place to provide the newly recovering addicts with a safe situation from which to learn to control their new lives, supported yet free.
