Difference Between Residential Treatment and Sober Living

For individuals suffering from substance use disorder, there are a wealth of treatment options available, but it can be difficult to know which one is right for their unique personal circumstances.

So what is the difference between sober living and residential treatment? Residential treatment programs and sober living homes are both highly effective treatment options for people who are unable to stop engaging in substance abuse on their own.

Compare and Contrast Inpatient Drug Treatment Facilities and Residential Treatment Facilities.

Inpatient rehab is short-term, involuntary, hospital-based, for acute symptoms and detox.
Residential rehab is long-term, voluntary, home-like, with diverse therapies and personalized.

Choice depends on illness, willingness, and coverage.

Both require that individuals live at a treatment facility and work to develop new ways of living. However, residential treatment programs and sober living homes have somewhat different approaches to recovering from addiction.

Inpatient treatment programs are generally more intensive, whereas sober living community near me are generally less structured. However, people can often remain a resident of a sober living home for far longer than they can at a residential treatment program.

Because both types of recovery programs specialize in different levels of care, sober living homes, and residential treatment programs are often used in conjunction with each other, with many individuals moving from one to the other as their needs change.

Check out our welcome video to learn more about life at Design for Recovery, a sober living community based in beautiful Los Angeles, California. Begin your new sober life with us and learn the skills you need to thrive.

What is a Residential Treatment Center?

Residential treatment centers specialize in helping individuals with severe and active alcohol and drug addictions. Residential programs are sometimes referred to as inpatient programs because they involve living inside treatment facilities full-time. Often considered the most intensive form of formal addiction treatment, inpatient treatment programs are able to provide care on a 24/7 basis.

They are best suited to individuals who are early in recovery. Many people choose to enroll in inpatient treatment programs immediately after leaving a medical detox center. Individuals generally spend a few weeks to a few months getting care at a residential treatment center. Services offered include cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, employment workshops, family therapy, and medication management – with the goal of resocializing the individual and examining underlying beliefs and behavior patterns that create the conditions for addiction.

While inpatient programs do offer a high level of intensive addiction treatment, most people benefit from having additional support when it comes to rebuilding their lives. Life outside of the clinical environment of a residential treatment center has a variety of challenges that can be difficult to face alone for someone who is newly sober. For that reason, caseworkers at residential treatment centers generally help graduates devise an aftercare plan that ensures they will continue to be treated and supported in the weeks, months, and years after graduation.

What is a Sober Living Center?

Local sober living homes are a common component of aftercare treatment plans. These living facilities function as a kind of transitional living environment for graduates of residential treatment programs who want to ease back into the “real world” at a comfortable pace. Sober living homes are residences that require all the people living there to maintain their sobriety.

Sober living homes do not offer the same intensive therapeutic and medical services that a residential treatment program does. Instead, they offer a way for individuals to begin constructing a normal life while living in a safe and supportive environment. Sober living homes provide a variety of benefits to people who are trying to rebuild their lives and stay sober. Living with other individuals who are facing the challenges of newfound sobriety together can be a powerful source of support.

Many sobriety homes near me encourage or require attendance at 12-step meetings, which helps individuals further expand their social support system. It is also common for sober living homes to provide residents resources that can help them develop life skills. Many work with residents to help them find jobs or enroll in academic programs. By the time resident graduates from their sober living home after a few months or a year, they will already be making strides toward their personal goals.

Important Qualities to Consider When Choosing a Sober Living Home

Experienced staff

Staff members and management at a sober living home should have experience working in recovery. A good sober living home has staff available 24 hours a day.

Regular drug testing

This ensures that you’ll be living in a safe environment with other sober residents, as well as helping you stay accountable to yourself.

Number of residents

You want to make sure that your sober living home has the space and resources to accommodate your needs.

Sufficient length of stay

It is important to make sure sober living allows residents to stay for the length you need to guarantee sufficient time for recovery.

Structure

While most sober living homes do not provide the same intensity of scheduling as inpatient treatment centers, it is important to choose a sober living home that offers resources beyond a bed.

Location and transportation

It is good to choose a sober living home that is in a practical location for your unique needs. Another good question to ask is if they provide a means for residents to attend 12-step meetings in the area.

Affordability.

Sober living homes cost money. Many sober living homes can help you develop a plan to finance your residency.

Residential Treatment vs Sober Living: Which Option is Right For You​