Introduction
Your decision of where to live after leaving rehab can be a key determinant of your long-term sobriety. When choosing where to live, it is important to consider how the environment will impact your sobriety above everything else. An environment that may seem comfortable and familiar, may also be triggering.
Further, if you are considering moving back home with family, you must consider possible stressors and challenges living with your loved ones may pose. This is not to say living with your parents is not a good idea, rather it is meant to highlight the importance of understanding how each relationship may affect your sobriety. So, should you live with your parents after rehab? Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine whether moving back home is the best decision for you.
Are my loved ones supportive of my sobriety?
This is the most important question you must ask yourself when deciding to move back home. Returning home after rehab can jeopardize your sobriety, especially if your friends and family do not support your choice to be sober. If your family cannot support you in your recovery and offer you a safe environment in which you can remain sober, you should not move back home (unless absolutely necessary).
Am I able to set clear boundaries and rules with my family and friends?
Setting boundaries with family and friends is essential in protecting your sobriety. When moving back home, it is important to lay out rules for yourself with your family and to ensure these rules are respected. Some possible rules you can impose are no drinking while you’re present or that you no longer wish to see certain friends. If your friends and family are unable to respect these rules and boundaries, moving home may not be a good idea for you.
Will I be able to prioritize my mental health at home?
It can be triggering and mentally challenging to return home. This means that prioritizing your mental health and wellbeing must be of the utmost importance. Ensuring you surround yourself with supportive people and the necessary resources to care for your mental health and sobriety is essential in remaining sober when living back at home.
Can I afford to live by myself?
Sometimes moving back in with your parents is the only financially feasible option. Assessing your finances is very important in deciding your living situation. Sober living programs and living alone can be very costly. If financial concerns are motivating you to return home, make sure to take the necessary steps to safeguard your sobriety. As well, make finding a stable job a priority once you return home. This will help you gain some sort of financial security so you can assess your living situation without financial concerns.
Will I be able to stick to a schedule and not fall back into old patterns?
Schedule and structure are important in sobriety, especially early on. When returning home, it can be easy to fall back into old patterns that could be detrimental to your sobriety. To avoid this, scheduling your day and ensuring you are making time for activities that safeguard your sobriety is integral. Applying structure may include scheduling weekly sessions with your therapist, making time to socialize, and getting in some daily exercise. Having a daily schedule will help you maintain your sobriety at home.
Can I have “fun” with friends without drinking or using drugs?
When returning to the environment where you use to use, it can be very difficult to adjust to your new concept of “fun”, especially if having fun used to mean using drugs and alcohol. It takes time and constant effort to develop the necessary coping mechanism to be around people and places that remind you of using. If you do not think you can control yourself around old friends and triggering environments, moving back in with your parents is probably a bad idea.
Maintaining Long-Term Sobriety with NuView Treatment Center
If you are newly sober and require more support, NuView Treatment Center can help you. NuView's drug rehab is located in West Los Angeles, offers you the support you need to stay sober. NuView’s outpatient addiction treatment program is designed to give you the tools you need to recover from both dependence and addiction. With highly trained staff that will develop an individualized treatment plan, you will begin to understand the underlying conditions (including mental health disorders) that may be motivating your drug or alcohol use. Through this, you will start to practice new, healthy coping mechanisms and create plans for dealing with possible triggers.
NuView Treatment Center can help bridge the gap between rehab and normal life and can offer you have the tools you need to live independently and maintain long-term sobriety.
Written By
Dr Ryan Peterson