New Hampshire Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes in New Hampshire are structured drug-free environments for persons recovering from substance dependency. They are sometimes called halfway houses, transitional homes, or recovery residences. 

Generally, sober living houses are ideal for individuals who wish to prevent drug relapse. In addition, persons who have completed inpatient or outpatient rehab need sober houses if they are not prepared to live independently.

New Hampshire sober living houses that meet the safety and ethical standards of the National Alliance of Recovery House (NARR) obtain certification from the NH Coalition of Recovery Residences (NHCORR). They may also register with the NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, but this is not mandatory. 

Daily Life in New Hampshire Sober Living Homes

Daily life in treatment centers involves an individual’s participation in house chores, group projects, and other house activities. Therapy sessions and 12-step meetings are part of the daily schedule. Some residents may leave the house during the day for school or work. Here is what a day and night will probably look like in a sober living house. 

Day Routine

Mornings are frequently marked by house chores like changing the bedsheets, tidying a shared bathroom, or assisting with breakfast preparation. Afterward, residents may decide to leave for work or stay around for group activities. Those without jobs, skills, or education are often encouraged to seek one during the day. 

Night Routine

All residents gather in the evening for group therapy and 12-step meetings. After these group discussions, they have dinner. Finally, residents enjoy the rest of the evening watching TV, talking to friends and relatives over the phone, or relaxing outside the house. 

How to Increase Your Chances of Staying Sober While in New Hampshire Sober Living Houses

Preventing relapse is one of the major objectives of sober living homes. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40 to 60% of patients new to sobriety relapse after completing medical detox or inpatient treatment centers. Although it is challenging to achieve, residents can increase their chances of drug relapse prevention by following the steps below: 

Obey House Rules

Sober living houses in New Hampshire provide rules and regulations to ensure safety and support for all residents. In addition, residents should follow strict daily routines designed to help them maintain sobriety and avoid relapse triggers. Examples of relapse triggers eliminated in sober homes are social isolation, stress, challenging emotions, and HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). 

Not only will abiding by the guidelines make an individual’s experience simpler, but it will also make everything run smoothly. Keep in mind that there are consequences for breaking the house rules, which may involve being asked to leave. Of course, this will decrease your chances of staying sober. As such, residents should strive to obey the rules at much as they can 

Be Committed to Therapy Sessions

Apart from abiding by rules in sober living homes, residents are expected to show their level of commitment by attending all therapy sessions. In addition, treatment programs like peer-to-peer support meetings are introduced to help residents cope with challenges that may trigger them to relapse. The programs also help new residents track their recovery progress as they interact with others who have achieved sobriety for a long period. Regardless of work or school schedule, strive to participate in 12-Step meetings regularly to preserve your sobriety.

Work and Save Money

The main purpose of these transitional houses is to integrate people back into their community during their stay quickly. According to research studies, residents spend between 166 and 254 days in sober living homes. Throughout this short stay, individuals are advised to work, school, or learn a skill. It is also important to save from their paycheck to help them maintain affordable lifestyles after leaving the house. With the savings and little investments generated from work, residents can overcome the pressures of life, which are also part of relapse triggers that can force them back into addiction dependency. 

Maintain Healthy Relationships

Maintaining healthy relationships is particularly important for residents with little or no family support after leaving sober houses. While living in a transitional home, seek to identify common ground with other house members and ways to communicate with them. For example, ask them to join you at a 12-step group or join you for a regular dinner. In addition, it is good to associate with individuals recovering from substance abuse disorder. Such mutual friendship will help residents achieve sobriety after leaving the house. 

When to Move into a Sober Living House in New Hampshire 

The best time to move into a sober living house in New Hampshire is after rehab or medical detox. Entering sober houses while experiencing withdrawal symptoms is not the right approach to addiction treatment. Sober living is basically for relapse prevention, and so it is expected that individuals in those houses should have undergone the first stages of drug recovery. In general, sober houses are ideal for patients who:

• Have completed medical detox
• Have completed addiction treatment in an inpatient or outpatient facility
• Have little support from relatives and friends
• Are not ready to live independently after rehab
  
  

Unlike residential rehabs, sober houses provide a degree of independence as residents are free to work and school. Some individuals may want to get a job before moving into these recovery homes. However, even though residents can go to work or visit their families freely, they are expected to follow the rules and regulations. 

Common Rules in Sober Living Home 

Before choosing to move into recovery homes, here are some common rules to keep in mind:  

• Drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances that can lead to relapse are prohibited from the house
• Residents will take regular drug tests to ensure they remain sober
• There will be no overnight visitors, particularly in the early phases of sober living
• Individuals are required to attend peer support groups and therapy sessions
• Residents should work and learn a skill or school
• Residents should pay rent fees regularly
• Residents must carry out house responsibilities and chores assigned to them

Sober Living Home vs. Halfway House in New Hampshire

Halfway and sober living houses in New Hampshire provide similar services to persons recovering from drug abuse. However, there are some differences between the two aftercare addiction treatment solutions.  

People who transition towards permanent living conditions will benefit from halfway houses. Halfway houses are ideal for individuals trying to return to society after serving jail terms or homeless persons. On the other hand, sober living focuses more on providing a drug-free environment for people recovering from substance use disorder.  

One major difference between halfway houses and sober living homes is that while the former is often mandatory, the latter is optional. For instance, the state correctional facility may force an inmate or obtain a court order that compels the person into a halfway house. Meanwhile, the decision to move into a sober house is completely optional, with the sole purpose being to avoid relapse. 

Residents in halfway homes may choose to participate in support therapies or decide against it. In sober houses, participation is included in the house rules and regulations. Most halfway houses are state-funded, while sober living houses in New Hampshire are private establishments. 

Types of New Hampshire Sober Living Houses

In New Hampshire, sober living houses exist in different forms yet provide the same transition environment for persons trying to reintegrate into society. The four main types of sober living houses include halfway houses, transitional housing, recovery houses, and sober housing. 

Halfway Houses

Most halfway house residents once lived in a constrained environment such as correctional centers or mental facilities. Halfway houses provide an environment where they can easily transition back to their homes. Unlike other types of sober living, halfway houses are sometimes free because they are government-funded, while others exist as part of the state’s correctional facility. 

Halfway houses have different restrictions according to their specialization. Some homes are quite organized and strict, while others provide great flexibility. Regardless of their variations, all halfway houses share several characteristics. Generally, a halfway home is great for someone looking for sober housing because they all have strict curfews and are substance-free. 

Transitional Housing

The purpose of transitional housing is to help individuals break the habits that force them to become homeless. Breaking the cycle can be challenging for individuals to undertake on their own since those who do not find work, housing, or a strong network of social support often revert to the habits that lead to homelessness in the first place. Therefore, most transitional housing programs generally provide a free or low-cost living environment, access to social projects for residents who want employment or education, and Interpersonal skills learning. Counseling and support for mental illness are also introduced in daily activities. 

Recovery Houses

Although a common type of New Hampshire sober living home, each recovery house differs in terms of amenities and program quality. Recovery houses maintain a set of rules for residents to follow. For instance, individuals should sign in and out when entering or leaving the facility. In addition, they must abide by curfew times and participate in house meetings and random drug tests. In recovery houses, a house manager supervises and coordinates all affairs, including managing peer conflicts and organizing meetings. 

Sober Housing

Maintaining sobriety is the sole aim of sober housing. Everyone in a sober house is recovering from substance addiction irrespective of where they come from — correctional center, psychiatry, or inpatient treatment center. 

Due to its purpose, sober housing offers a recovery-focused ambiance with structured daily activities. These facilities may not be suitable for individuals seeking total freedom after inpatient rehab. On the other hand, it is suitable for all persons wishing to continue individual therapy and support meetings. Residents also take part in interpersonal training classes and regular drug testing. Many sober living programs are structured like flats or dormitories rather than residences.

The Phases of Sober Living in New Hampshire

Sober houses are structured in phases of increasing stability and independence. The phases in any specific sober living house in New Hampshire will vary greatly based on its mode of operation. Residents begin from the restrictive phase and move into the reintroduction phase before becoming independent in the self-sufficiency phase. Here is how each phase works in a typical New Hampshire sober living home. 

Restrictive Phase

Also regarded as the abstinence phase, this phase helps residents avoid alcohol and drug use completely. The restrictive phase often begins with mental detox to help people develop emotional balance and clarity. Some of the features to expect in this phase includes

• Complete isolation from relapse triggers
• The first week for new intakes may involve strict no-phone rules
• Residents may not be allowed to work for the first few weeks, while some are told to work temporarily
• Regular attendance in therapy sessions and peer support group
• Regular medical checkups and drug tests
• New intakes may be restricted to only the facility’s transport system

Reintroduction Phase

In this phase, residents can take up some personal responsibilities as they learn coping skills for surviving in their communities. The first stage will remove some restrictions as residents handle their basic responsibilities as expected. For instance, residents may start work or school while they continue attending support groups and completing house chores. They may also be permitted to take personal transport but ensure to share their location with house managers. 

Self-sufficiency Phase

In this final stage, residents get more responsibilities before independent living and are expected to be accountable. Most of their initial restrictions are removed as they are allowed to move freely and get ready to rent an apartment. However, they must still obey the house rules to avoid getting another restriction. 

Sober Living and Substance Abuse Treatment Near Me in New Hampshire

If you are looking for certified sober living houses or recovery homes in New Hampshire, you can look up Certified NHCORR Residences and click on a facility close to you. You can also find helpful resources on the New Hampshire CarePath. Apart from using state resources, you can call a SAMHSA representative at (800) 662-4357 for help regarding what you need to enroll in sober homes near you. Ensure to speak openly about your needs because conversations with SAMHSA representatives are confidential.