- Connect with your housemates
Being open, especially in group sessions, is one way to connect with your housemates. While not part of your Lighthouse Recovery team, your housemates are part of your substance abuse recovery. Unlike well-intentioned friends and family, your fellow residents have walked in your shoes. They might be further along or newer to the sober living environment, but they are with you. Connecting with them during your journey together gives you an immediate sober circle once you graduate. Plus, you’ll just enjoy your time more if you befriend your housemates. At Lighthouse Recovery, we include recreational programming to help jumpstart those roommate relationships.
Your sober living environment is not a time to be complacent. Make a daily commitment to do all the programming with openness, willingness, and full intentionality. When optional in-home or out-of-home programming is offered, jump on it! When your therapy team recommends making amends, do it promptly. Follow through on therapy recommendations, and get involved. You’ll ensure you are making the most of your stay and helping prevent relapse through these positive patterns.
- Find healthy habits and passions
Everyone’s recovery is different, and so are their passions. Find healthy, safe hobbies and pursue them. Not everyone is a runner or a sourdough bread baker, but there is something for everyone. A good rule of thumb is to find a healthy habit that moves your body and another that works your mind. Some examples might be: running, dance class, yoga, a team sport, hiking and for mindful hobbies: drawing, painting, learning an instrument, reading, puzzles, creative cooking and baking, or writing. It’s okay if you jump around to find what feels right for your personality. Finding healthy habits during your sober living stay will allow you to have a solid foundation of activities to turn to instead of drugs or alcohol when you’re back living at home. Back at home, you can use these new hobbies to find additional healthy communities. Many hobbies have Meetup or local Facebook groups you could join and meet new friends.
When you first enroll in a sober living environment, your mind might race with negative thoughts about what landed you there. Fight those unhelpful thoughts by practicing positivity and gratitude. Start a journal where you list each day you’re sober, and five things you’re thankful for. It sounds small, but you’ll likely find yourself noticing new aspects of yourself and your environment with your sober lense. Take time to think positive thoughts toward yourself. You’re doing hard, important work in getting sober.
After graduation:
- Continue with case management
78% of graduates of the Lighthouse Recovery sober living program achieve lasting sobriety. One big key is to continue with your case manager after you’ve graduated from our sober living program; we recommend for at least 6 months to one year. Your case manager knows you and your journey well, and can be there for you when friends or family just don’t understand.
Whether you continue with individual clinical therapy or group programs (for example, Alcoholics Anonymous), we recommend continuing to speak about your sobriety. Seeking support and accountability helps keep you on the right track for success.
- Stay committed and hungry for sobriety
Remember how you got back home. Take time to read your gratitude journals from your sober living environment, and stay committed to sobriety. Every day you need to commit to staying sober. You’re worth it.
- Keep up your sober network
When you’re back home, it might be easy to fall back into old, toxic friendship patterns. Remember what you’ve learned in therapy and commit to healthy friendships in your sober network. Stay in touch with your housemates, your case manager, and reach out to supportive friends who want to see you stay sober. If someone isn’t supporting your sobriety, they are not a friend for this season of your life.
By reading this article and committing to a sober living program, you’re already showing your dedication to your sobriety. Most programs last 90 – 180 days, and by utilizing these tips, you’ll make the most out of every single one of those days. Give our Dallas-based team a call to privately discuss if the Lighthouse Recovery sober living program is right for you, and we can answer any and all questions, schedule a tour, and get you started.