The world of sober living has its fair share of rules and regulations. From the government-backed licensing system to the myriad of social rules that must be followed, entering the sober living world can often feel like entering a complex and often intimidating environment. That being said, the benefits of socializing with other like-minded individuals are worth the effort. With the right guidance and strategies, entering the sober living world can be a successful and fulfilling experience. Here are some tips on how to safely and successfully enter the sober living world.
Decide What you’re Looking For
Before even beginning your journey into the sober living world, it’s important to decide what you’re looking for. You can do this two ways:
- Involving yourself in support groups or speaking to other sober individuals might help you make this determination.
- Consider what aspects of the sober lifestyle are important to you and why. Once you’ve made this decision, it’s easier to pinpoint what aspects of sober living are most important to you.
Get to Know the Rules
In order to participate fully in the sober living world, it’s important to get to know the rules. There are uncounted number of rules and regulations that must be followed by anyone who enters the sober living world.
You’re likely familiar with some of these rules already—most of them come from your former life as a drinking member of society. Learning what other sober individuals take for granted can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable and at home in the sober community.
Here are a few common themes that emerge when discussing rules and regulations in the sober living world:
- You must be at least 21 years of age to live or rent an apartment or house.
- You must have a government-issued photo ID to prove your age.
- You must check in with your sober living hosts or “sitters” at least once every two weeks.
- You must pay your rent or mortgage on time each month and in full.
- You must avoid dealing or using drugs while living with other sober individuals.
- You must consult a doctor before beginning any type of physical or mental treatment.
Network, Network, Network
One of the best ways to get to know the rules and regulations in the sober living world is to network with other like-minded individuals.
This can be done through the websites of hostels, sober living facilities and social clubs. You may also wish to join a support group in your area.
Having access to different people who are navigating the same journey can help you feel more comfortable and informed. Trust is one of the most important qualities you can have when it comes to living in a sober environment. If you don’t trust someone, it’s hard to be open-minded and flexible enough to accept new ideas.
Be Realistic About Expectations
One of the most important things you can do to make the transition into the sober living world as easy as possible is to set realistic expectations.
When you’re first moving into the sober living world, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do or who to contact. Don’t get down on yourself for this—part of being realistic is acknowledging that you’re probably not up to this challenge alone. You may wish to speak with other individuals who have prior experience in alcohol recovery about working together.
You may also wish to seek out support from a support group or meet with a sober living consultant to get some guidance on your journey.
Be Realistic about the Time You Have
As you begin your journey into the sober living world, it’s important to remember that you have limited time.
When it comes to time, what you consider “a long time” can vary from individual to individual. For some individuals, it might take decades to complete the “full shift.” For others, it might be closer to 12 months. But no matter what time frame you choose to base your assessment on, you must remember that you have very little time to make a change.
For many people, the “full shift” is a life-long journey. Some people may take a few years to complete the journey, while others may take a decade or more. It’s important to remember that you only have a short amount of time to make a difference.
Conclusion
The journey to recovery from alcohol use disorder can be a long one. The key to success is to be prepared for the journey and to stay focused on your goals.
Many people feel lost when they first start out on this path. The key is to follow the steps and make sure you are following the rules. In time, you will make your way through the halls of recovery and become a productive member of society once again.
