Benefits of Sober Living in Austin, TX
We offer eight gender-specific Recovery Residences located in Central Austin that are owned and operated by BRC Recovery, and they are open to anyone who has completed primary treatment and is seeking to transition into safe, supportive sober housing.
Features of our residences include:
- A cozy, home-like environment
- Built-in recovery network
- Fully furnished bedrooms and common areas
- Outdoor space
- 24/7 supervision provided by a full-time, onsite house manager
- Morning group prayer and meditation
- Recovery-focused weekly house meetings
- Process groups
- Twice weekly drug and alcohol testing
Sober Living v. Halfway House: What’s the Difference?
Halfway Houses
Recognizing the importance of an individual’s living environment led to the growth of residential and inpatient treatment programs in the 1960s and 1970s. The point was to remove people from destructive living situations that encouraged substance abuse and to create new social support systems while in treatment.
In response to this, some programs created halfway houses where clients could live after they completed residential treatment or while they attended outpatient treatment. Many studies showed that halfway houses improved the outcomes of treatment.
Despite the advantages of halfway houses, there were some limitations including:
- A limit on how long residents can stay: Usually, after several months, residents are required to move out, whether or not they feel ready for independent living.
- Household financing: For halfway houses, this usually includes government funding. This makes the homes in danger of funding cuts.
- Formal treatment requirement: Halfway houses require residents to have completed or still be involved in some type of formal treatment. There are a variety of reasons that some people wish to avoid formal treatment programs:
- Some may have had bad experiences in formal treatment and are looking for an alternative path to recovery.
- Some may have relapsed after treatment and feel the need for increased support for abstinence.
- Some may just want to avoid the commitment necessary to re enter a formal treatment program.
Sober Living Homes
SLHs are structured in a way to avoid some of the disadvantages of halfway houses. The basic characteristics include:
- A drug and alcohol-free living space for people trying to abstain from drugs and alcohol.
- No formal treatment services but either required or strongly encouraged attendance at 12-step self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
- Required acceptance of the house rules regarding:
- abstinence,
- paying rent and other fees,
- taking part in doing chores, and
- attending house meetings.
- Residents may stay in the house as long as they want as long as they follow the house rules.
- Residents are responsible for financing rent and other costs.
- These residences aren’t licensed or funded by state or local governments.
Typical House Rules at Sober Living in Austin, TX
The rules in every sober living house are different, so individuals are encouraged to read the rules before they join the home. However, these rules are fairly common:
Drug testing
Residents are expected to be tested regularly to check for the presence of drugs or alcohol in their system. In the event that they are caught with any drug, they will lose their sober living house privileges or leave immediately. They are expected to stay sober.
Support meetings
According to house rules, there are regular meetings where all the residents are expected to gather. This gives everyone the opportunity to share their own views, assign duties, and express complaints. As a result, the residents learn the importance of connection and unity within their group.
The 12 Steps
Sober living houses offer 12-step meetings which include the 12 principles of AA.
Curfews
House residents are supposed to report to the SLH at a certain time. This is especially the case for new patients. If the patient improves, there may be an easing of the rules under certain guidelines.
Bathroom schedule
Residents are expected to follow the shower times so everyone can get a shower, etc.
House cleaning
SLH cleaning is entirely up to the residents, and chores are assigned on a rotating basis.
Meals
If residents share meals, then every member has grocery shopping duties, also assigned on a rotating basis.
Personal treatment plan goals
Some SLHs require the resident to develop a personal treatment plan.
Occasional Privileges
- Group outings
- Personal outing
- Family day
- Reduced restrictions
Recovery Philosophy of Sober Living in Austin
One of the main points in sober living homes is participation in a 12-step mutual help group. Residents are commonly required or strongly encouraged to go to meetings and actively work a 12-step recovery program. Still, other houses will permit other types of activities that can substitute for 12-step groups. This is provided they contain a strategy for maintaining ongoing sobriety.
Also, building a social network that supports abstinence is an important part of the recovery model of SLHs. House members are encouraged to provide mutual support and advocate for recovery with their peers in the house.
Individuals who have been in the house the longest and have more time in recovery are particularly encouraged to provide support to new members. “Giving back” in this way is consistent with a principle of recovery in 12-step groups. House residents are also encouraged to avoid friends and family who might trigger them to use alcohol and drugs, especially people they have used substances with in the past.
Who Should Go to a Sober Living House in Austin, TX?
Generally speaking, people with a history of incarceration, homelessness, or insufficient social support have a high risk of relapse. However, sober living is a benefit to anyone in recovery who doesn’t have a supportive, substance-free place to go to.
- People who have completed an addiction treatment program but only have a high-risk environment to return to. Friends or family members might tempt them with drugs or alcohol.
- People who don’t feel confident enough to live independently and want to continue to work on their sobriety.
- People who want to establish a sober support network.
- People who need help finding employment or applying to school.
- People who still need help developing and practicing skills like honesty and accountability.
- People who are still in treatment for mental disorders along with their addiction.
- People who are concerned about the triggers to use substances in the outside world.
Why Sober Living in Austin Works
Researchers have discovered that social support for recovery and sobriety are key to maintaining abstinence from drugs or alcohol. Meeting with people who have similar goals and a clear understanding about the power and control of addiction appears to make a big difference in an individual’s ability to stay sober in the long-term.
Furthermore, people who go to 12-step meetings have been found to have up to 90% success in abstaining from addictive substances. Sober living also provides an opportunity to meet new people and find fresh connections. The support of like-minded peers can strengthen a person’s dedication to wellness while they are giving back to others. And the feeling of empowerment while helping others strengthens with long-term recovery, helps build a sense of purpose, and fosters emotional and social healing all at the same time.
Certified Recovery Residences in Austin, TX
Social support is fundamental to recovery. Sober living in Austin is one way to achieve lasting wellness. This is particularly true if the homes are combined with residential or intensive outpatient treatment. Studies show that people are more likely to relapse early in their recovery. So, during that time when people are more susceptible to relapse, it’s important to make use of every available resource.
Many local alcohol rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment centers recommend and refer clients to sober living in Austin, Texas. However, few sober homes offer the benefits of company-owned properties and programs.
BRC Recovery Residences are certified Level IV recovery residences by the Austin chapter of the Texas Recovery-Oriented Housing Network (TROHN), which is a part of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). NARR’s mission is to “support persons in recovery from addiction by improving their access to quality recovery residences through standards, support services, placement, education, research, and advocacy.”
The certification process is based on successful adherence to a set of standards as set forth by NARR and an annual renewal process conducted by the local chapter. Contact us today to learn how sober living fits into your recovery plan.