Are there alternatives to the 12-step program? Of course there are alternatives to the 12-step program, but finding one with a similar success rate is the challenge. Let’s examine some options. First, let’s talk about the growing problem of addiction: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that more than 20 million…
Six Steps for Sobriety You’ve taken that first big step and stopped using substances, now what? If you follow this advice on how to stay sober in six steps, you have a fighting chance. First, congratulations on getting clean! We all know how hard that is. If you’re reading this, perhaps you were also smart…
Will Insurance Pay for Sober Living? The short answer is no–at least in the State of California. This is because California does not offer licensed certification for these types of facilities. This also applies to halfway houses or any type of sober living environment or facility. However, some outpatient and treatment centers can offer discounted,…
People, Places, Things The process of recovery usually involves rehab or detox first, then transitioning to a local or out of state sober living home. But how does one choose whether to stay local or opt for out of state addiction treatment? Many of our clients tell us the same thing: No matter where they go…
Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, affecting the reward and motivation centers. “Is alcoholism genetic or hereditary?’ is a question that has turned to science for answers. Indeed, scientists have argued about the genetic and hereditary influences on addiction for decades. To truly understand the influence of genetics and heredity, we must understand…
How Does a Sober Living House Work? Sober living homes (SLHs) were created to provide a safe, supportive, and affordable housing option to those in recovery. Typically, people choose a sober living community as the next step after rehab or detox. They serve as a stable residential environment while residents continue their treatment for addiction.…
Men’s Sober Living When considering options for sober living housing, the choice between co-ed or gender-specific sober living is a common consideration. The choice is very important. Men’s sober living is, as the name implies, open only to men. There of course are female-only options and co-ed options. There are pros and cons to both considerations,…
Understanding Alcohol Abuse To some people, enjoying alcohol in moderation is o.k. The problem is, everyone’s definition of “in moderation: is different. When people use alcohol as an escape route for social, personal or career pressures, alcoholism can result. Long term, the effects of alcohol can cause to liver damage and other debilitating conditions. Most…
What are Sober Living Environments Really Like? A sober living environment is designed to accommodate those who want to maintain abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Addicts in recovery who might otherwise experience serious difficulty in maintaining abstinence find that being in a stable, drug-free environment following treatment is better for them. Sober living environments were…
Does Sober Living Work? After rehab or detox, recovering addicts who are looking to maintain their sobriety often look for additional resources. Options for continuing support and treatment usually come down to halfway houses or sober living environments. So does sober living work? A great study by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes…