Sober living homes can be a huge asset to those recovering from an addiction, between the non-negotiable sober environment and the establishment of healthy habits and routines. They’re  a stable and safe environment full of supportive peers.

It can be challenging, overwhelming, even a bit scary, though, to transition out of a sober living home to independent living. Maybe you aren’t quite sure what to expect and the uncertainty makes you nervous, or maybe you’re worried about your ability to maintain sobriety without the formal structure of being in one of these homes.

In this article, we’re going to walk you through the final phase of the continuum of care: transitioning from a sober living home to your new independent life.

The importance of continuum of care

Continuum of care is a form of ongoing guidance that lasts for a certain period of time to ensure you don’t relapse as you ease into your new sober lifestyle. There’s a different level of care that occurs during each of your treatments and beyond; it’s a way to slowly ease you out of external accountability to self-accountability instead of immediately putting all of the pressure on you.

For instance, your treatment might begin with you going to an in-patient rehabilitation, where you’re living on the premises of a rehab center, regularly meeting with counselors, and constantly under supervision, without any actual way to indulge your addiction.

The next phase of your recovery might be transitioning out of in-patient rehabilitation into a sober living home. You’re given more independence and can begin learning to apply what you learned in rehab “in real life,” but your day still has a formal structure created by someone else.

Then might come the time for you to actually live on your own, and with continuum of care, you will be fully independent, in your own place, making your own rules—but there will still be some sort of supervising eye from afar. This could look like weekly therapy sessions, support group meetings, or counseling services, depending on where you’re at in your journey to recovery.

Continuum of care is a great way to help you apply practical steps to each phase of your different treatments so that you can successfully ascend each new level of your recovery.

Staying sober outside of a sober living home

You’re about to leave the sober living home and venture out on your own, begin your new life, and while it might be full of challenges, part of you is probably more than ready for this next phase. If you’re worried about maintaining sobriety without the formal structure and supervision of a sober living home, you’re not alone.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of seven ways you can make staying sober after living in a sober living house easier for you.

1. Continue going to therapy

Many people think addiction counseling is only for when you are actively addicted or when you’re in the throes of the initial stages of recovery, but it can be for so much more. Continuing to go to therapy after leaving a sober living home acts as a form of continuum of care; it will be a safe place for you to openly discuss your highs, lows, as well as be a form of accountability.

2. Commit to a routine

When you’re in a sober living house, there are guidelines. These things look a little different within each home, but a few examples could be set meal times, a curfew, positive habits to start and end your day with. Holding these routines even after leaving the home will help keep your life structured and consistent. 

Now that you are living on your own, you have the ability to adjust these routines and habits to your personal preferences, which will make committing to them a bit easier and more enjoyable.

3. Don’t let yourself get bored

It’s one thing to have had a long week and decide you’re going to take a day to relax, rest, and recover; it’s another to spend an entire day being idle because you have nothing better to do.

You have to decide what your new sober life is going to be like; perhaps it’s going back to school, starting or restarting a career, joining a gym, trying new hobbies — anything you like.

4. Set achievable goals

Sometimes we can launch into goals so extravagant and massive they overwhelm us, we aren’t able to achieve them, and it can result in low self-esteem that prevents us from setting and achieving new goals. 

The key is to set both long and short-term goals that are big enough to excite you, but practical enough you can indeed achieve them in your recovery.

5. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help

Now that you’ve been sober for a while, you’re going to have a better sense of when you start to struggle because you’re going to be able to recognize the signs. You also have the clarity of mind to realize you might need some professional help or guidance. 

Sober life is difficult, there’s never any shame in seeking treatment at any point in your journey.

Our team here at Silver Ridge is dedicated to helping you every step of the way of your addiction recovery, no matter where you’re at in it. We’re here to support you.

Give us a call today at 855-945-7788.