If you’ve seen a panda at the zoo or in the wild, you know they’re big animals. However, they obviously don’t start out that way. Panda babies weigh an average of only 3.5 ounces at birth. In fact, no other mammal gives birth to a baby so much smaller than an adult of the same species.
As a result, pandas put in a lot of work to help their children transition into the world. While it might seem like an impossible journey at first, after a few months, they’re ready to walk on their own. Pandas helping their cubs’ transition into the world isn’t too different from the jump those in recovery have to make between addiction treatment and everyday life.
If you’re a woman in recovery, entering a sober living home can help you transition back into the world. Sober living might seem intimidating at first, but it’s often an essential step in recovery and not something you have to go through alone. Keep reading to learn 6 key tips about living in a sober living home.
6 Tips for Women Considering Sober Living
1. You’ll Have Other Women as Roommates to Learn on and Relate to
It’s common for women to be apprehensive about sharing a living space with a stranger. While community style living might not be your first choice, it can help your recovery. You’ll be living with other women who know what you’re going through. It’s an opportunity to re-learn how to build healthy relationships while holding one another accountable. Plus, you may even develop close friendships you can maintain when you return home.
2. Sober Living Residents Usually Pay Rent
Sober living usually comes with a financial fee or is set up similar to paying rent for a house or apartment. Paying rent at a sober living program helps prepare you for the real world. You’ll get practice using a budget and managing your spending in a safe environment. This will go a long way when you return home and need to be financially independent again.
3. It Can Be Challenging to Find Women’s Only Sober Living
It can be difficult for women to find a sober living program designed for their gender, as many sober living homes are men-only. The issue with this is that women have unique challenges when it comes to the recovery journey and having a sober living program that understands that can go a long way. Luckily, addiction treatment centers like Footprints Beachside Recovery offer a women-specific sober living program.
4. Expect to Take Regular Drug Tests
Part of what makes sober living so effective is the safe and healthy environment that’s maintained. To help keep that stability in sober living, you will be regularly drug tested. Most programs have residents drug test on a schedule and even reserve the right to do random testing to ensure everyone is following the rules and staying sober. It’s natural to disagree with this practice at first, but drug testing will help you stay accountable for your own recovery goals.
5. You Will Have to Follow Community Rules
When you enter a women’s sober living program, you’ll be expected to follow a set of rules. While the exact rules vary depending on the program, here’s a few common ones you’ll see:
- No drug or alcohol use
- Group meeting attendance at the sober living house
- Strict house curfews
- Chores and tasks to help maintain a clean-living environment
- Respect for other residents’ privacy
6. Many Sober Living Homes Have a Zero Tolerance Policy
When you’re part of a sober living house, there’s no room for any kind of substance abuse. Should any of your drug tests come back “positive”, many sober living homes will ask you to leave the program. Sober living houses often are very supportive when it comes to other issues like stress, anxiety or personal struggles. But sobriety is required for sober living homes to effectively help you transition back to everyday life.
Lasting Recovery is Within Your Reach at Footprints Beachside Recovery
At Footprints Beachside Recovery, we know that jumping right back into normal life after addiction treatment can be tough. That’s why we offer gender-specific sober living to help ease the transition.
It’s our mission to give you more independence and accountability over your sobriety. You have the potential to reach lasting recovery and regain what addiction has stolen from you – and we’re here to help you get there.
If you’re ready to ease back into life without substance abuse, our sober living program in Florida is here for you. Contact our expert team today to get started.
