What Is Transitional Living?
Transitional living is a structured living environment for recovering addicts and alcoholics. Typically, transitional living programs across the United States were established to help those who have undergone treatment in highly structured institutions adjust and prepare them for reentering society. The term "transitional" refers to the impermanent or temporary nature of the lodging.
When a recovering addict or alcoholic has completed the primary residential treatment phase of addiction treatment, he usually still needs more structure and time before making a full recovery. His best option is to enter a transitional living program, which allows him to continue living in a recovery community. Residents go to their 12-Step meetings and participate in peer support group and community group therapy on a weekly basis.
Staff members of the sober living facility will monitor the residents and provide assistance in case they have any problems or questions. Residents are required to abide by the rules of the facility and follow the guidelines that are designed for the transitional living program.
The sober living community allows residents to practice what they learned from addiction recovery and to apply the 12-Steps to solve daily problems while living with other recovering addicts or alcoholics. A strong foundation for recovery and a stronger community are developed when residents are open to direction and are willing to learn from the experience of others.
The transitional living set-up is usually designed to boost the probability that recovering addicts and alcoholics will continue outpatient aftercare. The residents are provided with a peer-driven, home-like setting that is conducive to the recovery process. The program includes counseling, development of effective strategies to prevent relapse, planning for educational or vocational pursuits, and engaging in activities that would help distance the residents further from substance abuse.
Some sober houses are owned by former addicts and alcoholics and since they know what recovering substance abusers are going through, they offer favorable conditions. Recovering addicts and alcoholics can often enter a transitional living program without paying upfront. Those who are unemployed are given credit until they find work, while those who owe the facility money are asked to pay a certain amount toward the arrears.
Sober houses are usually located in quiet residential areas. Many facilities just offer the bare essentials. Some offer rural, park-like settings that offer the serenity of living in the country. Others provide more opulent living arrangements and facilities and are located in beachfronts and mountain retreats. These high end sober living homes have basketball courts, gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, and even private chefs. But what remains the same is the fact that all these facilities want recovering addicts and alcoholics to regain their dignity, self respect and sustained sobriety and give them new hope as they prepare to return to society.
When a recovering addict or alcoholic has completed the primary residential treatment phase of addiction treatment, he usually still needs more structure and time before making a full recovery. His best option is to enter a transitional living program, which allows him to continue living in a recovery community. Residents go to their 12-Step meetings and participate in peer support group and community group therapy on a weekly basis.
Staff members of the sober living facility will monitor the residents and provide assistance in case they have any problems or questions. Residents are required to abide by the rules of the facility and follow the guidelines that are designed for the transitional living program.
The sober living community allows residents to practice what they learned from addiction recovery and to apply the 12-Steps to solve daily problems while living with other recovering addicts or alcoholics. A strong foundation for recovery and a stronger community are developed when residents are open to direction and are willing to learn from the experience of others.
The transitional living set-up is usually designed to boost the probability that recovering addicts and alcoholics will continue outpatient aftercare. The residents are provided with a peer-driven, home-like setting that is conducive to the recovery process. The program includes counseling, development of effective strategies to prevent relapse, planning for educational or vocational pursuits, and engaging in activities that would help distance the residents further from substance abuse.
Some sober houses are owned by former addicts and alcoholics and since they know what recovering substance abusers are going through, they offer favorable conditions. Recovering addicts and alcoholics can often enter a transitional living program without paying upfront. Those who are unemployed are given credit until they find work, while those who owe the facility money are asked to pay a certain amount toward the arrears.
Sober houses are usually located in quiet residential areas. Many facilities just offer the bare essentials. Some offer rural, park-like settings that offer the serenity of living in the country. Others provide more opulent living arrangements and facilities and are located in beachfronts and mountain retreats. These high end sober living homes have basketball courts, gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, and even private chefs. But what remains the same is the fact that all these facilities want recovering addicts and alcoholics to regain their dignity, self respect and sustained sobriety and give them new hope as they prepare to return to society.