Addictions begin with changes in brain tissue, say researchers writing for the journal Nature Neuroscience.
At first, people take drugs because they like the way the substances make them feel. In time, the brain’s inner circuits change and morph, and drug use becomes compulsory. People with addictions keep using because their brain cells tell them they can’t stop.
While brain cells can fool people into believing that their addictions are permanent, people with addictions certainly can stop. They often need to make a long-term commitment to the recovery process, and sober living facilities play a huge role in that recovery.
Control in Sober Living
There are a number of rules that govern daily life in a sober home. People might be prohibited from:
- Leaving after dark
- Skipping therapy appointments
- Skipping work
- Taking drugs (including over-the-counter drugs)
- Cursing
- Slovenly behavior
As long as they comply with these rules, say researchers writing in the Journal of Substance Use, they can stay as long as they’d like to stay. Most people are encouraged to make their stay an extended one.
Benefits of Longer Stays
In order to steer clear of drugs for the rest of their lives, people with addictions will need to develop a host of new habits and preferences. They may not be able to live a life that’s similar to the life led by people without addictions. They won’t be able to head to boozy parties, sip beer at sporting events, or head to bars. They’ll need to eliminate those kinds of risks, and they may need role models to help them manage that shift.
Support for Long Stays
Studies of sober living homes tend to measure the success of people in six-month blocks. For example, in this study in Addiction Research & Theory, researchers measured the success of 300 sober living residents at six months and 12 months. They found benefits at the six-month point, and they found those benefits stuck at the 12-month mark.
Studies like this suggest that stays of at least six months are beneficial, and even longer stays might be helpful for some people. But much of that length depends on a ton of outside factors, including addiction severity, home life and social support. Blanket statements about length probably aren’t the best information to base your decision on, as there is so much to consider. Clearly, however, longer stays can provide benefits that short stays cannot.
If you’d like to find out more about pulling together a long-term drug recovery plan, call us at The Oaks at La Paloma. We’d love to work with you and help you to find lasting recovery.