What It Is Like Living in a Sober House: A Complete Guide
Over the years, sober living houses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery. As such, sober living associations now make finding a residence easier. There are also plenty of independent sober living houses that have not changed their protocols much since the late 1940s when these residences came to be. Without the structure of a daily schedule and accountability of others around you, it can be easy to fall back into old habits that are not productive for your sobriety.

Luxurious Transitional Living
Understated luxury and modern comfort in a transitional living space that feels like home. For clients that have travel or business needs, leaving the safety and comfort of a support network during early life changes can be daunting. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles. Our primary purpose is to foster long-term sobriety through the cultivation of accountability, camaraderie, & character development.
Best Life Recovery Residences
- In the 1950s, groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) highlighted the value of group support and sober housing, leading to the growth of sober living houses across the U.S.
- Calls to the listed sober houses will be routed directly to their sober house.
- Sober living homes adhere to a clear set of guidelines to maintain a safe, supportive, and focused environment that promotes recovery.
- Avenues NYC is not an addiction treatment, rehabilitation, medical or health services organization.
If you are ready to take back control of your life and enter addiction treatment, contact a treatment provider today to explore your rehab options. You can also explore our rehab directory to find treatment options, including sober living homes, near you. People in recovery receive peer support and accountability in a level-one sober living home. Residents may choose to engage in community support groups, counseling, and anything else to help them stay sober. Many people enter sober living houses after intensive inpatient or outpatient treatment. If you are in treatment, you may work with a social worker or care coordinator who arranges for sober living.
How Does Chapter House Help?
Through peer support, proven recovery principles, peer empowerment, and individual responsibility, residents can solidify their sobriety and sober house prepare to return home or live independently. These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing from addiction. They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society. Many people who go to in-patient treatment have a difficult journey ahead of them. They may have lost their job, relationships, friendships, and even family members. Alongside their addiction, long-term use of drugs and alcohol can also cause serious health problems which they may need to treat.
Sober living houses have developed over time to provide safe, structured spaces that promote accountability and personal responsibility. This growth has created different types of sober living homes, each designed to meet specific recovery needs and levels of independence. Most likely, insurance will not cover this type of housing, because it is not considered a mental health treatment center.
The cost listed here ($175/week) is an estimate of the cash pay price. Recovery.com strives for price transparency so you can make an informed decision. The cost listed here (Call for Rates) is an estimate of the cash pay price. The cost listed here ($200 per week) is an estimate of the cash pay price.
The time frame for residency depends on the facility in question and on the resident’s circumstances and behavior. The structured nature of a sober home involves a number of rules that must be followed, including abstention from drugs and alcohol (drug tests are given), chores, a curfew, and any number of other directives. Recovering from addiction is hard, and having the right support can make a big difference. For many people, a sober living house offers this support in a safe, drug-free setting.
Calls to the listed sober houses will be routed directly Sober living house to their sober house. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the top sober house featured on this site. We do not receive any commission or fee based on which sober house you choose.

Dr. Kennedy also suggests touring the home and asking to speak with current residents or alumni. Smith recommends asking and looking for what sets one SLH apart from the others to make sure its focus and expertise align with your objectives and personality. You can also look into Oxford Houses, which provide all recovering users the opportunity to develop comfortable sobriety without relapse. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Since 2013, our expert team has built comprehensive resources you can trust to find the right treatment for you.
You will need to take the necessary steps toward recovery from your previous drug or alcohol addiction(s). Participation in group therapy and/or AA meetings or NA meetings might be expected of you. Just as well, there will be house chores that you are responsible for and a curfew that you must keep. Halfway houses often have time-limited stays, may offer structured therapy or rehab services, and are frequently publicly funded or court-mandated.
Unlike rehab centers, SLHs typically don’t offer medical or clinical services. Instead, they encourage participation in 12-step programs or similar recovery frameworks and support ongoing outpatient therapy if needed. A Level I sober living home typically does not have any paid staff and relies on its residents to monitor behavior and enforce policies and procedures. Provided services include drug screenings and resident house meetings. Halfway houses are often a step between prison and regular life, while sober living houses are focused recovery spaces that people choose to help them stay sober.
These residential facilities offer a supportive, structured, and substance-free environment for individuals committed to sobriety. As part of the addiction recovery continuum, sober homes provide essential stability, helping residents rebuild their lives in a safe and encouraging setting. A sober living house is a place where people recovering from addiction can live together in a safe, substance-free environment.