Sober Living Homes in Kansas

Kansas, a state located in the center of the United States, is bordered by Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. The state is named after the Kansas River, which itself was named after the Kansa Native Americans, who called the river’s banks home. In fact, Kansas was home to many Native American tribes for thousands of years, before being settled by colonizers in 1827. Today, Kansas is one of the nation’s most productive agricultural states, famous for its high yields of corn, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans.

This midwestern state is perhaps most famous for being the backdrop for the film classic The Wizard of Oz. Residents enjoy living here because of Kansas’ historical roots and tranquil natural ambiance. However, Kansas’ progressive culture also draws music and art lovers, as well as speed hobbyists who watch or take part in races at the Kansas Speedway. Kansas is a historically important and culturally diverse state that truly represents the classic American way of life.

Despite its idyllic appearance, however, much of the population of Kansas currently suffer from drug and alcohol addictions. Even individuals who are not actively addicted have likely experienced the economic devastation, broken homes, and shattered communities that have emerged in the wake of the state’s opioid epidemic. Of the roughly 156 drug overdose fatalities that occur in Kansas each year, 45% are due to opioid abuse.

While heroin is a significant factor, in recent years the overzealous prescribing practices of physicians have made it easy for Kansans to develop prescription painkiller addictions. In fact, physicians in Kansas write 64.3 synthetic opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents, which is far above the national average. As a result, addictive drugs like fentanyl and oxycodone have become causes of premature death on par with automobile accidents.

For Kansans suffering from addiction, it is important to have options. Fortunately, sober living homes represent an opportunity to recover from the devastating consequences of drug and alcohol addiction. In a quality sober living home in Kansas or elsewhere, it becomes possible not only to get sober but to develop the skills necessary for long-term sobriety. Without seeking help, most people find that their addictions get worse, and can even be fatal. By enrolling in a sober living home, however, Kansans have a chance to rebuild their lives and pursue their goals.

What Is A Sober Living House?

Sober living homes are properties where individuals recovering from substance use disorders live, work, eat, and sleep. More importantly, sober living homes are residencies where housemates work daily to develop the tools and skills that they need to get sober, stay sober, and rebuild their lives. Having a clean and sober environment is a crucial aspect of the recovery process. During early sobriety, most people are especially vulnerable to relapse triggers, which can range from emotional turmoil to mere exposure to substance abuse. Sober living homes protect residents from these unpredictable triggers and allow them to develop new habits and associations.

Sober living houses facilitate the recovery process by allowing residents to build connections with each other. For many people, addiction is a disorder that is characterized by loneliness and isolation. Living together with other young people in recovery can be healing. For perhaps the first time in their lives, housemates can speak with other people who truly understand. Roommates in sober living homes offer each other support, advice, feedback, and work to keep each other accountable. Much of the time, these relationships outlast a person’s time spent living in sober living. It is for this reason that recent studies on sober livings show that attending a sober living house decreases relapse rates even in the years afterward.

However, high-quality sober livings in Kansas also recognize that simply staying away from drugs and alcohol is rarely enough. Before entering a sober living home, active addicts generally suffer from unemployment, physical and mental health problems, and damaged relationships, among other issues. As such, a crucial aspect of the recovery process is working to repair this damage and build a new life. Residents work daily to develop life skills, new values, and behaviors that they can carry with them into the future. Many sober livings require residents to get a job during their time there or even enroll in academic programs. The goal of recovery is never mere abstinence — the goal is to develop a new way of life.

Sober Fun in Kansas

It is possible to get sober anywhere. However, individuals who spent considerable time in Kansas abusing drugs and alcohol are generally advised to enroll in a sober living house outside of Kansas. This is because their home state is likely going to be associated with far too many triggers. Old neighborhoods where one used to purchase drugs, encounters with old drinking buddies, and other reminders can easily pull vulnerable recovering addicts back into their old way of life. Recovering elsewhere, such as a Southern Californian sober living home, can make it far easier to get a fresh start.

Armed with new coping tools and a strong sober social support system, however, having sober fun in Kansas is very possible. Kansas isn’t just a backdrop for drug abuse or a collection of dive bars — it’s a beautiful state with diverse activities that don’t require drugs to be enjoyed. While the term “sober fun” might sound unattainable for people who are just getting sober, with a few sober companions who are also in recovery, any event can be a source of laughter and excitement. A few ideas for sober fun in Kansas can be found below:

Kansas State Capitol

The Kansas State Capitol, located in Topeka, is a stately complex that covers over 20 acres in the middle of the city’s downtown area. This state capital is widely recognized as an architectural marvel. The building, originally started in 1866, was built in a French Renaissance-style, ultimately taking 37 years to finish. Visitors can sign up for tours or walk through fascinating public exhibits. These exhibits include sculptures, murals, and historical artifacts. While you’re there, you can walk through downtown Topeka, a thriving city in the heart of Kansas.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located in Kansas Flint Hills. Before urban development, the United States contained over 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie land. Today, that quantity has dwindled to approximately 4%. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is one of the last locations in America that showcases this beautiful and untouched terrain. Bus tours, self-guided tours, and day hikes are available in the area. Events are also common here, including open-air symphony concerts.

Evel Knievel Museum

Do you fancy yourself a daredevil? The most famous daredevil of all time, Evel Knievel, is celebrated at this museum, which is perhaps one of the most popular destinations in Kansas. Evel Knievel was famous for his death-defying stunts, especially motorcycle stunts. It is no surprise, then, that this museum is located in the Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka, Kansas. The building includes collections of Evel’s helmets and motorcycles. You can even try out your own daredevil stunts in the Broken Bones interactive display — a true adrenaline rush.

Flint Hills Discovery Center

This interactive center, located in Manhattan, Kansas, is devoted to educating visitors on the history of the Flint Hills. It examines this history from both a cultural and a scientific perspective. As such, a visit to the museum can be illuminating, whether you’re interested in America’s ecosystem, flora, and fauna, inventions, or pop culture. Of particular interest is the center’s Immersive Experience Theatre, which simulates the winds of Flint Hills as it screens films on the evolution of the area. Also worth visiting is the rooftop terrace on top of the center, which offers a panoramic view of the city and excellent food.

Botanica Wichita Gardens

Located in Wichita, Kansas, these botanical gardens are a year-round celebration of horticultural achievements. Over 30 distinct themed gardens are available to be walked through, from the Monster Woods to the Shakespeare Garden. For non-plant marvels, stop by the Butterfly Gardens or the serene Koi pond. 18 acres of beautiful landscapes, sculptures, and wildflowers are here to give you peace of mind when you need it most.

Kansas Speedway

The Evel Knievel Museum isn’t the only place in Kansas that celebrates daredevil antics. The Kansas Speedway in Kansas City truly fulfills a need for speed. Fans can watch over 200 different motorsports events 365 days a year. Special events, NASCAR races, and even concerts can be experienced at this venue.

Spencer Museum of Art

The Spencer Museum of Art is a world-class art museum located in Lawrence’s University of Kansas. The collection is diverse, including art from all around the world, including permanent collections showcasing European, Asian, African, Latin American, and Native American Art. Moreover, this museum is unique in that it covers all forms of media, not just traditional visual media. A strong permanent collection and ever-changing exhibitions make visitors want to come back week after week.

Benefits of Kansas Sober Livings

Addictions take time to recover from. Sober living homes are beneficial because they provide structure, support, and help residents connect to the resources they need. More importantly, however, they provide the gift of time. Residents are free to stay at their sober living house as long as they need. While some people stay a few months, others choose to continue recovering in their sober living house for a year or more. This is far longer than the length of most clinical addiction treatment programs. During a sober living residency, individuals in early recovery benefit from the following:

Social Support Systems

The peer support that sober livings provide is arguably the most important benefit. Addiction is often known as a “disease of loneliness;” active addiction is characterized by conflict and social isolation. Many people feel like no one can possibly understand what they’ve been through. Living with other people in recovery is an opportunity to converse and bond with people who truly relate. It provides a source of hope, strength, accountability, and mentorship. Over the long term, these relationships offer opportunities for sober fun, and meaningful relationships.

Staff Support

Sober living staff and house managers are resources that residents can rely on at all times. Staff members work hard to guarantee a structure and schedule for daily life. They also enforce house rules and administer drug tests to keep everyone accountable. Staff live on-site alongside the residents, so they are available both night and day to answer questions, provide emotional support, and deal with any issues that crop up. Staff members are familiar with the recovery process; most have been through it themselves.

Transitions from Rehab

Recent rehab graduates are often advised that jumping too quickly into the outside world can be risky. After all, without taking the time to rebuild one’s life, simply leaving rehab means returning to old habits. Sober livings are one of the most recommended types of aftercare programs for rehab graduates. They allow inpatient treatment center graduates to retain a strong support system as they develop increased independence and meet the challenges of earlier sobriety.

Building a Future

Successful addiction recovery in a Kansas sober living means far more than just quitting substances. It means acquiring the gifts of sobriety, which range from better health and relationships to better economic prospects. Residents work daily to develop basic life skills that they may have missed out on during their years of active addiction. They secure jobs, begin educational programs, and rediscover their passions. By the time they leave their sober living home, they are well on their way toward achieving goals that they may have long given up on.

Should I Go To a Kansas Sober Living?

No matter how severely you suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction, spending time in a sober living home can aid your recovery. However, the location of the sober living home you attend is no small matter. For Kansas residents with substance use disorders, choosing a sober living house outside of Kansas is highly recommended. Leaving Kansas is a great way to avoid potentially risky triggers.

Choosing a city that has a thriving recovery community and a wide variety of resources is a good idea. Southern California, the birthplace of structured sober living houses, is a solid choice. This city attracts recovering addicts from around the country because of the quality of its sober livings. Structured sober livings, a unique subtype of sober living home, offer more intensive scheduling and structure. 

Addiction Recovery at Design for Recovery

Design for Recovery is a structured sober living home for men located in Southern California. Residents at Design for Recovery are highly committed to the recovery process. Our intensive structure is designed to help them strengthen their coping skills, develop healthier new behaviors, and address underlying issues and blockages. Residents form a community, holding each other to the highest standards and providing support every step of the way. Throughout this process, they work to secure new futures for themselves — beginning new careers and rekindling their passion for life.

Design for Recovery was founded on the belief that addiction recovery is far more than just abstinence. Our staff and residents strive every day to live their lives on a firm bedrock of values and principles, including honesty, humility, accountability, and integrity. These values serve to help individuals stay sober, but they also improve every aspect of their lives — from relationships with family and loved ones to their attitude toward work. Design for Recovery aims to help residents build new lives and futures for themselves; quitting drugs and alcohol is just the start.

If you are stuck in the vicious cycle of drug or alcohol abuse, help is available. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.