Sober living homes are a great transitionary option for people leaving an inpatient rehab program. Especially for people who have little or no support at home, going from a highly supportive rehab environment back home may be too great a leap.
If you’re leaving rehab in Colorado and don’t have a stable, supportive home that can help you achieve lasting sobriety, read on. This article will explain what sober living homes are, the benefits of sober living homes, and where to find sober living in Colorado Springs.
What are Sober Living Homes in Colorado?
At Avenues Recovery, we fully support our clients’ decision to attend a sobriety house in Colorado before returning home. Sober living refers to when people choose to live in a home with other individuals recovering from addiction for a period of time after rehab. They may work, attend an outpatient program and 12-step meetings, or engage in other recovery activities while living at the sober living home.
A sober living home is similar, yet different, to a halfway house. Halfway houses are homes for people who have been released from prison but are not yet allowed to return home. Attendance at halfway houses is not voluntary (as sober living homes are). Rather, the court may mandate a former prisoner to live at the house for a period of time in order to transition healthily back into society.
At sober living homes, the expectation is that residents will continue to engage in recovery while living at the home. Drugs and alcohol are strictly prohibited in the home, and residents may be required to undergo routine drug screenings. They are expected and encouraged to engage with other recovered addicts and recovery groups, work, and remain accountable for their behavior.
Benefits of Sober Living in Denver, Colorado
Great caution is needed when returning home after rehab. Old home environments, friends, neighborhood, and community can all trigger a relapse, especially if they are not understanding of addiction and recovery. Friends you previously drank or used drugs with may try to convince you to try ‘just a little bit,’ without realizing its devastating effects on an person in early recovery.
Even watching family and friends casually drink or use drugs can trigger strong cravings during the beginning period of sobriety. Many addicts find that their home environment or previous neighborhoods alone can serve as triggers, re-awakening traumatic memories and pushing them to their previous substance of choice as a way to handle strong emotions. Living in an unstable, unsupportive, or toxic home environment can cause anyone to suffer, but for an addict, it can cause a devastating relapse.
Rehab is an environment of exclusive focus on recovery and growth. Jumping into the real world straight from rehab can be a jarring contrast. Once you leave inpatient rehab, you may feel alone and unsure of your sobriety. Choosing sober living in Colorado allows you to transition from an environment steeped in recovery to another compassionate and caring space.
Sober Living for Women in Colorado
When leaving the safe cocoon of rehab, it’s important to focus primarily on one thing: your sobriety. Putting recovery before anything else in your life helps to avoid relapse. As a woman specifically, there are several benefits to joining gender-specific sober living homes in Denver.
Firstly, having people of the opposite gender living with you can be a distraction. You may be tempted to pursue romantic relationships at a time when you are not yet emotionally stable and ready. Investing in intimate relationships while in fragile early sobriety is not only severely detrimental to recovery, but can also lead to unhealthy, toxic relationships.
Additionally, being in a home with women just like you can help you feel comfortable, welcomed, and at ease. It will help you transition smoothly into the home, open up to the women around you, and create lasting relationships which will support your future recovery.
Best Sober Houses in Colorado
Here’s a comprehensive list of the best sober houses in Colorado:
- Monarch Sober Living Women/ Men- With 4 locations across Denver, Colorado for women and for men, these are sober living homes which support men and women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Their facilities are located on beautiful grounds and offer a yoga and gym membership for all residents. They require every resident to attend a minimum of 4 12-step meetings per week while living at their homes.
- Homeward Pike Peak- With a mission to help recovering addicts and homeless people, this home offers mental health counseling and economic opportunities. Men, women, and mothers with babies are all welcome to take advantage of the treatment services and pleasant living accommodations.
- Zen Mountain Sober Living- Geared toward women, they have 5 homes located in different areas in Colorado. They offer ‘tools, resources, structure, and accountability,’ to help women reintegrate into society and remain sober after rehab. They encourage trips, engaging in sports, and enjoying other activities so recovering addicts can have a good time even while remaining sober.
- Mary’s Hope Sober Homes- This sober living home aims to provide safe, affordable housing for recovering addicts. They provide various therapies and forms of sober recreational activities, including mic nights, pool tables, live bands, and more. They believe in healing the whole person to prevent relapse, and offer holistic therapies to address that need.
- Mountain West Care- A supportive, stable home, Mountain West Care holds its residents accountable with screenings and curfews. Their staff is professionally trained to provide the best possible care for recovering addicts. They develop a personal plan for every addict, including ‘in-house therapy, peer support, life skills, vocational and clinical groups.’
- Sobriety House Inc- Proudly identified as ‘Colorado’s oldest licensed substance use disorder treatment center,’ their goal is to offer affordable sober living for addicts in recovery. They boast a small client-counselor ratio, a peaceful, safe home, and a range of supportive therapies for optimum recovery.
- Hazelbrook Recovery- Hazelbrook Recovery offers four different care programs, personalized to the needs of different patients. They also operate a community center with a variety of activities, including boxing, weightlifting, art, music, and more. They accept Medicaid insurance, and do not disclose the exact location of their home to protect patient privacy.
- Stride Sober Living- This home accommodates veterans, homeless people, addicts, and people on probation or parole. They provide various services, including career coaching, resume assistance, addiction treatment, peer coaching, and food stamps. Every resident is assigned a recovery coach who forms a plan for supportive therapies to aid with recovery.
Conclusion:
Avenues Recovery Center is a network of drug and alcohol rehab centers nationwide. With top-notch mental health professionals, addiction specialists, therapists, and counselors, we have successfully guided thousands of people to lasting sobriety.
If you’re living in Denver, Colorado or close nearby, and suspect you may be struggling with an addiction, reach out. We have a local rehab center on beautiful grounds, allowing you the skill and amenities of a reputable rehab center while remaining close to home and your family.
We believe that every person can turn their lives around, no matter the circumstances. You are stronger than your traumas, more powerful than your addiction. You can conquer the obstacles in your life and find sobriety and serenity with just one phone call. Reach out today to start.