What Is Sober Living Homes?
Sober living homes (also called sober houses or recovery residences) are structured, substance-free living environments for people in recovery. Residents live with peers in recovery, follow house rules, maintain sobriety, and often participate in ongoing outpatient treatment or peer support groups. Sober living provides a critical bridge between intensive treatment and fully independent living.
Who Is It For?
Sober living is appropriate for individuals completing residential or PHP treatment who lack a safe, sober home environment; those in early recovery who benefit from structured peer support; people rebuilding employment, relationships, and stability; and those at elevated relapse risk who need community accountability.
What to Expect
Residents pay rent (varying widely by location and amenity level), follow house rules (sobriety, curfews, chores, meeting attendance), and live in a community with others in recovery. Better programs are certified through the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) or state-specific certification bodies. Some sober living homes offer additional services like job placement, transportation, and life skills coaching.
Need Help Choosing the Right Level of Care?
Call 988 for crisis support, or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 for a free referral to a treatment program that matches your needs and insurance.
How Long Does It Last?
3–12 months or longer is typical. Research shows that longer sober living stays are associated with improved long-term outcomes. There is no prescribed maximum — residents stay as long as it is clinically and personally beneficial.
How It Connects to the Continuum of Care
Sober living typically follows residential treatment, PHP, or IOP. Residents usually continue outpatient therapy and peer support while living in the home. The goal is gradual transition to independent stable housing.
The Continuum of Care
| Level | Hours/Week | Setting | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Detox | 168 (24/7) | Inpatient | Residential or PHP |
| Residential | 168 (live-in) | Inpatient | PHP or IOP |
| PHP | 25–30 | Outpatient/Day | IOP |
| IOP | 9–12 | Outpatient | Outpatient counseling |
| MAT | Varies | Outpatient | Ongoing |
| Sober Living | Ongoing | Residential | Independent living |
Find Sober Living Homes Programs Near You
The directory below shows facilities offering sober living across the Southeast. Filter by state, insurance, or condition.
10 facilities found
