Sober Living Resources for Sober Living Oregon
Oregon, a state in the United States’ Pacific Northwest region, is bordered by Washington, California, Nevada, and Idaho. Founded in 1859 and located in the upper Northwest corner of the US, the state is home to over 4.19 million people. It is often jokingly said, however, that the state has more trees than people — a joke with plenty of truth to it. Oregon is known for its diverse landscapes and scenic views. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful state contains every kind of terrain imaginable, from lowlands, volcanos, plateaus, mountains, 361 state parks, the deepest lake in the United States, and 5 million acres of forests.
In the midst of all of this natural largesse, Oregon is also known for its beautiful and culturally diverse cities. The most famous one is perhaps Portland, which is known for its “hipster” culture and laid back vibes. Also of note are Salem, Eugene, Oregon City, Bend, and Medford. Oregon’s economy is driven primarily by agriculture, hydroelectric power, and fishing. However, since the Silicon Forest was established in the 1970s, technology has also begun to play a major role in Oregon’s economy. Not only is this state a popular tourist destination, its thriving economy has made it the nation’s top moving destination.
Unfortunately, there is also a high prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in the state of Oregon. Substance use disorders in Oregon can wreck communities, cause economic damage, devastate communities, and take lives. Oregon, unfortunately, is the ideal pitstop for drug traffickers moving between the Canada and Mexico borders. In small towns and large cities alike, drugs of abuse, including alcohol, heroin, and crystal meth have led to skyrocketing addiction rates.
In recent years, however, prescription opioids have become the single greatest cause of premature death in the state. Part of this is due to how loosely they are prescribed. For every 100 people in Oregon, doctors wrote approximately 57.3 prescriptions for opioid painkillers in 2018 alone. While prescription opioids can serve legitimate medical purposes, in many cases they lead to addiction even when they are prescribed to treat a medical need.
For individuals suffering from addiction in Oregon, help is available. Rather than suffer alone or try to control one’s addiction using individual willpower, it is best to reach out. Sober living homes in Oregon offer safe and trigger-free environments for individuals working to rebuild their lives in sobriety. It is often even more helpful, however, to start afresh in an entirely new city.
What Is A Sober Living House?
A sober living home is a type of home where residents agree from the outset to stay off of drugs and alcohol. Sometimes known as recovery homes, sober living houses offer a great deal of structure and support for individuals in early sobriety. Because all residents agree to be drug tested regularly, anyone moving in can expect a safe environment where they will not be exposed to drug and alcohol abuse. Having a trigger-free environment is crucial, especially during early recovery when people are more vulnerable to triggers.
One of the most critical elements of a sober living house is the support of one’s peers. In a sober living home, residents work together and support one another as they progress in their recovery journeys. Research shows that the relationships and peer support that people acquire in sober living homes decrease their chances of relapsing significantly — even years after they have graduated. The friendships people develop in sober livings not only serve as sources of feedback, advice, strength, and hope, but they make life more enjoyable in sobriety.
Sober living homes in Oregon and elsewhere do not provide clinical addiction treatment. However, sober living managers and staff work hard to ensure that each resident feels supported and gets access to any resources they need. For individuals with underlying issues, including mental health disorders and financial problems, sober living homes are excellent home bases where they can work on solving these problems. In many cases, fellow residents and even staff have had experiences with the same issues.
Residents of sober living homes not only develop sobriety, but they work to build new lives for themselves in sobriety. Sober living homes offer life skills training, employment support, and even assist residents as they enroll in college degree programs. Damaged relationships are healed and new ones are developed. By the time an individual graduates from their sober living home, they are well prepared for life in the outside world.
Sober Fun in Oregon
Individuals are far more likely to recover from an addiction if they remove themselves from the triggers associated with active addiction, so most people suffering from addiction in Oregon benefit considerably from enrolling in a sober living home out of state. For people returning to Oregon after getting sober, either on a visit or because they’re moving back, it may be difficult to figure out how to have a healthy and happy sober life. The state may be permanently associated in one’s mind with heavy drinking or drug use.
Fortunately, it is indeed possible to have fun while staying sober in Oregon. The state’s gorgeous outdoor environments and cultural offerings make it ideal for all sober people, no matter where their interests and passions lie. The key is to engage in activities with other sober friends. By enrolling in a sober living home, you unlock countless opportunities for sober fun and companionship. Attractions and events in Oregon that are worth checking out for sober fun include:
Sea Lion Caves
11 miles north of Florence, off Highway 101, you can find the only mainland rookery of the Steller Sea Lion. These caves, which are part of a connected system of caverns that opens up to the Pacific Ocean, are home to vast numbers of sea lions and California seals. It truly is an astounding sight to see them basking on the rocks and frolicking in the water.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Theatre lovers rejoice! Every year, between late February and October, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival offers between 800 and 850 performances of a wide range of Shakespeare plays. The festival also includes performances of contemporary and classic plays that are not limited to Shakespeare. Annually, over 400,000 people come each year to watch performances at this world-renowned festival, held in Ashland Oregon.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
This museum of art, which specializes in Asian artworks but also has vast collections of American and European art, is located in Eugene, Oregon. The building itself is absolutely windowless, in order to protect the artifacts within. Located on the campus of the University of Oregon, this museum offers guided tours on the first Saturday of every month.
Crater Lake National Park
This national park offers absolutely breathtaking views of an incredible landscape. The so-called “crater” it’s named after is actually not a crater at all, but the ancient remains of an extinct volcano, Mount Mazama. Enormous lava cliffs tower 2,000 feet above a vivid blue lake. This popular weekend trip spot is home to some of Oregon’s top hiking trails, which are also popular camping grounds.
Cannon Beach
For people inclined to relax at the beach, Cannon Beach on northern Oregon’s coast offers spectacular views of jagged coastal boulders and wide stretches of endless sand. The largest boulder, Haystack Rock, is something of a landmark here. North of the beach, you can explore Tillamook Head and Ecola State Park, which offer even more attractions.
Washington Park, Portland
Portland, Oregon’s largest city, has something for everyone. But one area of Portland that is truly for everyone is Washington Park. This dense park is filled with gardens, including the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. It is also home to the Oregon Zoo, a museum, and countless hiking trails.
Bend, Oregon
Surrounded by volcanoes, dry plains, and national forests, Bend is a diverse city in the center of Oregon. It also offers countless activities for people who like outdoorsy fun. Smith Rock is a popular rock-climbing destination. Hiking trails are bountiful. And the Mount Bachelor Ski area offers amazing skiing slopes for everyone — not just bachelors.
Benefits of Oregon Sober Livings
No one recovers from an addiction overnight. Learning the skills necessary to avoid relapse and maintain one’s sobriety takes time. It can take even longer to rebuild one’s life, especially after years of active addiction have devastated one’s relationships, job prospects, and even legal standing. Sober living homes allow residents to stay and get support for as long as they need, with some residents choosing to stay longer than a year. As they repair past damage, build relationships, and take positive steps toward better futures, sober living home residents enjoy many forms of support. Some of the benefits of staying in a sober living house include:
Peer Support
Many individuals with addictions spend years trying and failing to get sober on their own. With the support of sober living housemates, what seemed impossible will become very possible. Addiction is often termed a “disease of isolation,” so it is no surprise that connecting with others who have had similar experiences can be inherently healing. Long term residents offer mentorship and guidance to those who are just getting sober. Residents also work to build relationships with their local recovery communities by attending support groups or 12-step meetings.
24/7 Guidance and Supervision
Sober living home staff and sober living house managers actually reside within each recovery home as well. This means that clients have access at all hours of the day to the guidance, support, and feedback of a dedicated team of staff members. Whenever an individual has a question or concern, or is struggling with an emotional difficulty in early recovery, they can simply reach out to one of these people. Many of them have personal experiences in recovery that they can draw upon as well. Staff members also work to enforce the rules of sober living houses and ensure that all residents have access to a safe and sober environment.
Life Skills Training
Quality sober living homes do more than merely encourage people to stay off of drugs and alcohol. They also help clients begin acquiring the gifts of sobriety. To do so, it is essential for young people to learn basic life skills that they may not have been able to develop during years of active addiction. The nature of these skills can vary from person to person, and they can range from learning proper grooming habits to how to pass a job interview or write a resume. This ensures that residents, upon graduation, are well prepared to live the prosperous lives they hope for.
Smooth Transitions
Research shows that individuals who stay involved and continue to make use of recovery resources for longer periods of time are more likely to stay sober. Sober living homes do not offer clinical treatment, but they are very frequently recommended to individuals who have recently graduated from rehabs, including inpatient treatment programs. Finishing rehab and then immediately jumping back into one’s previous life in the outside world can be triggering, jarring, and ultimately make one feel like sobriety didn’t change much. Sober living homes serve as a stopgap period, allowing individuals in early recovery to take all the time they need to rebuild their lives — with a strong support system to back them up.
Getting Sober Outside of Oregon
In early sobriety, it is often recommended that people change their environment completely. While Oregon has countless quality sober living homes that offer safe and trigger-free spaces, the state itself might pose problems to individuals who called it home during their years of active addiction. Oregon might have many triggers for them. Triggers are people, habits, places, and events that make people want to compulsively use drugs or alcohol, due to associations based on past usage.
During the initial days of sobriety, when one lacks coping skills, it is helpful to simply avoid common triggers. This can often mean temporarily distancing oneself from loved ones, including friends and family, especially if they were former drinking or using buddies. It can mean avoiding neighborhoods where one used to purchase drugs, or where one’s favorite bars are located. For these reasons, even though it is possible to get sober in any location, leaving Oregon entirely is often the best course of action. In a new state and a new city, individuals in early recovery can begin to build a new set of relationships and develop new habits — and with time they will once again be able to face their home state.
Recovery is Possible at Design for Recovery
Design for Recovery, a sober living home for men located in California, offers the fresh start that individuals with drug or alcohol addictions need. At our sober living house, residents work to develop the coping tools they need to stay sober over the long term. They address underlying issues, including problematic communication skills and mental health disorders, while striving to root themselves in a new set of values. These values and principles include integrity, honesty, and accountability. Most importantly, they develop long lasting relationships with housemates and their local recovery community, forming bonds that are an endless source of experience, strength, and hope.
At Design for Recovery, we believe that recovery is far more than just physical abstinence. It involves taking active steps to build a new and better life for oneself. To that end, residents make bold decisions — taking jobs, beginning new careers, returning to college, and developing new hobbies and interests. Throughout this journey, they are fully supported by staff, fellow residents, and sober living house managers. We believe that no one can recover alone, but our sober living home nonetheless offers the best preparation for an independent and autonomous life in sobriety.
If you are ready to make a fresh start, leaving Oregon habits behind, reach out to us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sober living home is a safe, substance-free residence for people recovering from addiction. It acts as a transitional housing option, bridging the gap between inpatient facilities and the real world. sober homes, usually located in quiet neighborhoods, help individuals reinforce their rehab lessons. They provide a cost-effective living environment and support sobriety. Sober living homes are peer-managed and expect residents to pursue better health and a substance-free life. They strictly enforce rules, with violations leading to eviction. Rules include signing a contract, attending support group meetings or outpatient treatment, and paying rent. Costs vary based on location and services.
The cost of residing in sober living homes in Oregon can vary depending on factors such as the location, type of residence, available amenities, and the nature of the program. Monthly expenses range from $2,000 to $10,000. Some homes provide structure rather than a formal program, reducing costs. Utilities may be included or rationed. Rent is typically charged monthly, without requiring upfront payment. Resources like insurance, grants, sliding scale payments, and payment plans can help cover costs.
The length of stay at sober living houses in Oregon are not fixed and can vary depending on the individual’s needs and the rules of the house. However, it is commonly advised to spend a minimum of 90 days in treatment and sober living before reintegrating into society.
Entering a sober living in Oregon has numerous benefits for individuals in addiction recovery. These include:
- Safe and pressure-free living space
- Supportive environment promoting discipline and sobriety
- Reinforcement of rehab lessons
- Bridge between inpatient care and independent living
- Transition support from treatment to independent life
- Structured environment for regained stability
- Distance from triggers and temptations
- Connection with others in recovery for shared insights
- Job search/placement assistance
- Additional counseling
- Long-term residence option
- Improved physical and emotional well-being
Some sober living houses in Oregon allow pets, while others do not. Pet-friendly homes offer benefits such as healing, joy, discipline, life lessons, unconditional love, and stress reduction. However, rules and regulations regarding pets vary by home, and residents must adhere to them if pets are allowed.
Read Further: Sober Living that Allows Pets
Yes, sober living in Oregon does help residents find employment. These homes actively support residents in their job search and employment goals. They may require residents to be actively working or seeking employment while residing in the homes. Many sober living homes offer valuable resources and assistance to residents, such as resume writing, job application support, and skill training. Some homes even provide onsite job opportunities for residents as they transition out of the program. By promoting employment, sober living homes aim to help residents meet their financial responsibilities and develop a sense of accountability.
Visiting rules in a sober living home vary. Some homes may prohibit opposite-sex visitors or any drugs/alcohol. Approval is often required in advance, and curfews must be respected. Overnight guests are generally not allowed. Residents must show respect to housemates and staff. It’s important to inquire about specific visitor rules at each recovery home.
Design For Recovery also organizes regular events during which family members are invited to congregate with house members.
The rules regarding cell phones in sober living houses may vary depending on the specific sober living house. At Design For Recovery, we limit cell phone access for residents in the early days of their recovery. This gives them the opportunity to focus on their present circumstances and the present moment, cultivate real relationships with fellow house members, and look inward.
These policies may not necessarily apply to all sober living homes. Therefore, it’s recommended to ask each potential sober living house what their rules are regarding cell phones.
Oregon Sober living homes offer alcohol- and drug-free environments for individuals maintaining abstinence. Expectations include:
- Safe community for physical, spiritual, and emotional growth with peer support
- Required sobriety, participation in meetings, and activities
- Guidelines like curfews, screenings, and respect for others
- Peer-managed homes supporting sobriety
- Live-in managers ensuring accountability
- Supportive community fostering sobriety and personal growth
- Varying costs and no-cost options available
The house rules for sober living homes in Oregon may vary, but here are some common guidelines:
- Sobriety: Residents are required to maintain sobriety and abstain from alcohol and drug use while residing in the home.
- Meetings and Activities: Active participation in 12-step meetings, counseling sessions, or other recovery-related activities may be expected.
- Curfew: There might be a set curfew that residents need to adhere to, ensuring a structured routine and promoting responsibility.
- Drug Testing: Random or regular drug testing may be conducted to ensure compliance with the sobriety requirements.
- Chores and Responsibilities: Residents may be assigned household chores and responsibilities to maintain cleanliness and a sense of community.
- Respect for Others: Mutual respect and consideration for fellow residents’ privacy, boundaries, and recovery journeys are typically emphasized.
- Visitors and Guests: Guidelines regarding visitors and guests, such as limitations on visitation hours or prior approval requirements, might be in place.
- Financial Obligations: Residents are expected to pay rent and other associated expenses promptly and fulfill financial obligations.
- Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive and nurturing atmosphere, fostering personal growth, and encouraging peer support and accountability may be part of the house rules.
Staff members also enforce several sober living house rules designed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for residents.
Sober living homes provide a supportive environment for sobriety, offering:
- Substance-free space for real-world responsibilities
- Peer support from individuals with similar experiences
- Community support and encouragement
- Randomized drug and alcohol screenings
- Accountability through house rules
- Job assistance and connections to local employers
- Possible oversight from treatment providers
- Bridge between inpatient care and real-world transition
- Reinforcement of rehab lessons
- Safe space to develop habits and coping mechanisms
Amenities and services vary by sober living homes, so it’s best to inquire about specific offerings at each potential home.
The success rates of men’s sober living in Oregon vary based on individual circumstances and dedication to recovery. However, research has shown that staying in a structured and supportive environment like a men’s transitional living significantly increases the chances of maintaining long-term sobriety compared to going directly back to independent living post-treatment.
Scholarships and financial aid are available for sober living. Options include:
- Grants for medical and living expenses
- Financial aid from treatment facilities
- Government grants from the Sober Living Foundation
- Healthcare grants for various medical needs
- No-cost options like halfway house programs
- State and federal funding, such as SAMHSA grants
Scholarship availability varies by program and location, so inquire about specific options at each sober living program.
Staying in a men’s sober living house long-term offers benefits for recovery:
- Smooth transition to daily life
- Ongoing support for lifelong recovery
- Reduces relapse risk by eliminating substances
- Eliminates triggers in early sobriety
- Provides structure and support
- Increases chances of long-term sobriety
- Offers job training and preparation
Benefits may vary by individual and program, so inquire about specific long-term benefits at each men’s transitional living house.
Finding the right sober living home can be challenging. Here are tips to help you:
- Determine your needs: Consider budget, structure, and privacy preferences.
- Research options: Look for local sober living homes and explore their programs and amenities.
- Visit and tour facilities: See if they meet your needs during a visit.
- Consider rules and structure: Look for consistent enforcement and adherence to house rules.
- Seek peer support: Choose homes with a supportive community of individuals with similar experiences.
- Look for job training and programs: Consider homes offering programs to aid long-term recovery.
Availability and offerings may vary, so research multiple options and visit facilities to find the best fit for you.