Your First Week in Sober Living: What to Expect
Moving into sober living can feel like a lot. Here is what the first seven days usually look like, and how to make the most of them.
Most people arrive at sober living a little nervous. That is normal. You are moving in with strangers, learning new rules and doing it all in early recovery. The good news: you do not have to have it figured out yet. Here is what the first week usually looks like.
Move-in day
You will meet the team, see your room and walk through the house expectations. At Grassroot, your case manager meets you and maps out your first week. You will learn how testing, the weekly spend plan and house meetings work.
The first few days
Expect structure. A daily breathalyzer. Keeping your space clean and pitching in around the house. Getting to know who lives with you. Finding nearby meetings, the gym and the closest coffee shop.
Use these days to say yes. Go to the meeting. Join the walk to the park. Sit at dinner even if you do not feel like talking.
Your first week's checklist
- Meet with your case manager and set your first goals
- Confirm outpatient treatment, therapy and psychiatry appointments
- Get phone numbers from at least three people in recovery
- Find two or three meetings near the house
- Set up your weekly budget
- Call your family, and agree on how you will stay in touch
- Go to your first Wednesday Night Meeting
What if it feels hard?
It will, some days. Tell someone. Your coach, your house manager or a housemate. The whole point of sober living is that you are no longer doing this alone.
Thinking about moving in? See how admissions works.