According to an estimate by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 23.5 million people in the United States of America aged 12 years and above require substance abuse treatment every year. Out of them, only 11 percent receive treatment. This constitutes around 2.6 million addicts undergoing drug addiction treatment.
As per experts, complete recovery needs a comprehensive rehabilitation program and aftercare therapy. The treatment is just a foundation for long-term recovery. It helps the body to detox from the drug. It encompasses the management of withdrawal symptoms, helping the person go off the drug slowly, correcting nutritional deficiencies, and addressing mental disorders, if any.
However, after the program, a person needs to live a sober life on their own. This can be overwhelming to many freshly recovered addicts. It is here that a halfway house comes to the scene. The house enrolls such recovered addicts who are ‘halfway’ on the path of recovery and need a strictly sober environment to rebuild their life and personality.
A commitment to yourselves
Living a sober life is a commitment that you must fulfill every day. Most recovered individuals feel on top of the cloud at the end of a rehab program. They are off drugs now. However, when you go back to the same old place, you are surrounded by temptations and triggers. Here comes the real test of your willpower.
Many people relapse after recovery programs. This is mostly because they do not know how to resist temptations. They did not get a chance to “practice” living a sober life and had no idea of what to do in life sans drugs and alcohol.
That’s why experts are of the view that people who recover from rehab programs must spend some time at a sober facility to give their life a direction and to set a routine.
Pre-requisites for a sober life
It requires a certain mindset to stay sober all the time. Besides, you must master your emotional side. This does not happen overnight. You require a specific environment and a set routine to discipline and train your mind. A sober facility is a perfect place for this.
The rules of a halfway house are strict, and nobody is allowed to break them even once. If you do, you are evicted. This strictness may seem daunting at first, but it lays a strong foundation for a better future. It helps you discipline yourselves and create the required mindset for lifelong sobriety.
Living in a house is not just about staying sober all the time. It is about discovering your better side; harnessing your hobbies and capabilities; finding or creating a vision for life; and more. An ex-addict undergoes behavioral and personality improvement and seeks solace and fulfillment in sobriety.
You can easily find a house near you by referring to online directories that provide a list of reputable houses in various locations. For example, there is a halfway house in Texas, one in NYC, another in Ohio, and so on. Choose one that fits your recovery needs and budget.
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