Texas Sober Living Homes

What Are Sober Living Homes in Texas?

The Texas legislature (86(R) HB 3969) defines sober living homes as structured housing that promotes independent living for individuals recovering from drug and alcohol dependence. Most sober houses are located in serene environments to help residents recover. Generally, recovery homes do not require government licenses to operate because they don't provide medical or therapeutic services. Instead, these homes operate under established house rules and local laws on housing.

Daily Life in Texas Sober Living Homes

Texas sober living homes typically assign a supervisor to ensure that the house is moderated and the inhabitants live according to the house rules. Although different structured houses have varying routines, the following is the standard day to day life in a Texas sober living home:

Mornings

Residents of typical Texas sober living homes wake up and prepare for the day. Preparation includes completing house chores, using the bathroom, and having breakfast. After this, individuals go to work. Some residents also look for employment, get involved in a volunteer job, or go for their outpatient day programs.

Afternoons

Most individuals finish work by late afternoon, and residents typically attend counseling sessions, doctor's appointments, or life skill classes. Dinner preparation starts in the evening when everybody is back from work, but that is after residents have had enough time to unwind or socialize.

Evenings

This is free time for the inhabitants of the sober living home. They can spend this reading or watching a movie before turning in for the night.
How to Increase Your Chances of Staying Sober While in Texas Sober Living
Individuals in Texas sober living homes can increase their chances of staying sober by maintaining the motivation to change their lives completely. They should also keep to the house rules to help develop the self-discipline and responsibility necessary for preventing relapse. In addition, most sober living homes encourage residents to get a job to keep them busy and expose them to the real world.
Clients may also participate in sporting activities or volunteer work for their community. It is also essential to participate in the day-to-day group therapies, meetings, and activities. Doing so increases an individual's resolve to sobriety because these activities positively impact the mind.

When To Move Into a Sober Living Home in Texas

Sober living homes accept people who have completed a formal drug rehab program, such as detox, inpatient rehab, residential rehab, or outpatient rehab. The drug-free environment here aids the transition to regular life and gives residents room to practice sobriety while living with other people.
However, it is vital to understand that while sober living aids total recovery, it does not and should not be used as a rehab replacement. Generally, Texas sober living houses do not perform detox or provide medical supervision for addiction recovery. These homes provide a safe, stable, and affordable living environment for persons determined to beat drug addiction.

Sober Living Programs vs. Halfway Houses in Texas

In Texas, sober living programs and halfway houses share many similarities as they provide a structured environment to help individuals fully recover from substance abuse. In addition, both facilities teach people skills to offset the triggers of relapse that occur in a familiar environment.
Although they share many similarities, below are some of the differences between sober living programs and halfway houses:

• Unlike sober living homes, residents must have completed an entire addiction treatment program to qualify for a halfway house.
• Halfway homes are typically government-funded or affiliated with a government agency.
• While there is no compulsory length of stay for an inhabitant in a sober living home, some halfway houses have a mandatory stay period for their residents.
• Compared to most sober living homes, halfway houses tend to be inexpensive.
• Halfway homes are built like dorms with fewer amenities, privacy, and structure. Space is also limited, and residents share rooms and common areas.
• Residents of a sober living home can attend outpatient rehab programs or group meetings unaffiliated with the home. Conversely, residents of halfway houses can only participate in recommended programs.

Types of Texas Sober Living Homes

In Texas, sober living homes comprise different care and support levels for the benefit of the residents. The different types of sober living homes in Texas are as follows:

Halfway Houses

Texas halfway house programs act as transitional housing facilities for individuals ready to regain independence from drug or alcohol abuse. The majority of the people in halfway homes are individuals who have undergone some drug treatment program, while others may by court order or from a correctional facility. This facility regularly carries out drug tests to confirm that residents are drug-free. Generally, halfway houses provide the inhabitants with recovery, mental health, and medical services.

Transitional Housing

Transitional housing includes facilities that offer shelter to various people, such as those recovering from substance dependency, mental health problems, and homeless individuals. Although this structured setting is temporary, it sometimes offers the inhabitant's education and life skills training. Also, it provides supervision, counseling, and peer support to individuals who are recovering from drug/alcohol abuse.

Oxford House

In Texas, an Oxford House is a community-based and peer-run substance-free facility with no medical-assisted treatment. These facilities emphasize peer support as the major element in an individual's recovery process.
Oxford houses offer individuals the opportunity to make new friends and share recovery goals and challenges. Inhabitants of the facility can also develop a new lifestyle while actively participating in a health & recovery-focused community.

Three-Quarter Houses

These community residences have the least level of support for individuals in recovery. It provides individuals with a very similar structure to the halfway houses. Programs are very peer-based and emphasize self-help. Residents learn to recognize triggers and develop practical skills to prevent relapse.

The Phases of Sober Living in Texas

The individual's increased independence determines the phases of sober living in Texas. The typical stages of sober living in Texas are as follows:

The Restrictive Phase

The first phase leads to mental detox from the use of substances. Next, the individual learns and adapts to life without drugs or alcohol while functioning in society simultaneously. The basics of sober living, such as abstaining from substances and adhering to the facility's strict rules, are ingrained in this level.
Since the facility is structured in a way that does not provide any triggers, residents can focus on their sobriety. The house encourages all inhabitants to find a job, volunteer, attend therapy sessions, and participate in house chores. Generally, individuals in sober living may spend a month in this phase.

Reintroduction Phase

The reintroduction phase is where the individual is encouraged to take on more responsibility. The goal is to prepare such a person to build stress tolerance while gaining some freedom. For example, the person can be allowed to return to school while returning to the home every evening. The sober living home may loosen strict rules by reducing curfew and letting the resident ride the bus alone. Reintroduction is the stage where the program slowly reintroduces the individual to the world, this time free from substance abuse.

Self-Sufficiency Phase

The self-sufficiency phase is the last stage before independent living. Sober living home inhabitants in this level tend to be more accountable. Hence they are given more responsibilities. While individuals in this phase still report to the sober living facility, they are given independence. The individual will be required to do the following to enter this phase:

• Complete the 12-step program
• Spend adequate time in the 2nd phase
• Actively participate in group sessions

Sober Living Near Me in Texas

You can use the directory provided by Texas HHS to find recovery support services, Oxford Houses, and other sober living homes in Texas. Alternatively, call the SAMHSA helpline at (800) 662-4357. This helpline is active 24/7 and provides free, confidential referrals. The SAMHSA treatment locator is also helpful for finding treatment centers and addiction recovery specialists nearby.