Guides
Sober living vs rehab
They are often mentioned together, but they are different things. Rehab is treatment. Sober living is a place to live while you rebuild.
The difference
| Licensed rehab | Sober living | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment on site | Yes | No (residents usually attend outpatient) |
| Licensed by DHCS | Yes | Usually not |
| Insurance | Usually covered | Usually private rent |
| Purpose | Treat addiction | Sober, supportive housing |
Before you move in
- Is the home certified by a recognized group?
- What are the house rules, drug testing and curfew?
- Is there a house manager?
- Does the home have a financial relationship with your treatment program?
What sober living actually is
A sober living home is a shared house where everyone agrees to stay sober and follow house rules. There is usually a house manager, regular drug and alcohol testing, chores, a curfew, and an expectation that residents work, study or attend outpatient treatment during the day. Rent is usually paid privately, often weekly or monthly.
Because sober living homes do not provide treatment, they are generally not licensed by DHCS. Some voluntarily meet standards set by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) or national groups such as the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
When each one makes sense
| Situation | Usually a better fit |
|---|---|
| You are in withdrawal or may be | Medical detox |
| You need daily therapy and 24/7 support | Residential treatment |
| You finished residential and home is not sober | Sober living plus PHP or IOP |
| You are stable, working, and want a sober community | Sober living plus outpatient |
| You have a safe, sober home with support | Outpatient or IOP from home |
Sober living in Orange County
Coastal Orange County, especially Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, has a large number of sober living homes. Several cities have adopted their own permit and spacing rules for group homes. Quality varies widely, so visit before you commit, ask to see the house rules in writing, and ask how the home handles a relapse.
Be careful if a treatment program offers free or discounted sober living in exchange for attending their outpatient program, or if a sober living home steers every resident to one program. Those arrangements can be signs of patient brokering.
Before you call a program
- Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
- Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
- Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
- Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance pay for sober living?
Usually not, because it is housing rather than treatment. The outpatient treatment you attend while living there is often covered.
How long do people stay in sober living?
Often 3 to 12 months. Research on recovery residences suggests longer stays are linked with better outcomes, but the right length depends on you.
Can I go straight to sober living without rehab?
Some people do, if they are not in withdrawal and attend outpatient treatment. If you drink or use daily, talk to a doctor about detox first.