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Sober Living for Women: What to Look For

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Some sober living communities vary in what they offer women looking for like-minded groups seeking recovery. Having both men and women co-sharing a facility is usually against protocol to avoid any issues or romantic situations popping up when people should be focused on recovery. Facilities offer sober living for women so that women can focus on their specific issues as they deal with addiction recovery differently. Treatment professionals can provide women with the best chance of healing.

Recovery for Women

Women are less likely to become addicted to substances than men, but they are still capable of falling into addictive patterns. Women may dabble less in some drugs but they do become addicted more quickly and have a harder time quitting than men. Some of the consequences women face when dealing with drug rehab and recovery:
  • Loss of financial support/income
  • Lack of employment opportunities
  • Loss of child custody
  • Family support wanes, along with added shaming as a mother or caregiver

Why Sober Living for Women is Important

Treatment is typically how women are most successful in recovery. Women who need a little more help to maintain sobriety may find it helpful to move into a sober living for women. There is the opportunity to live with other women in recovery to make the environment more supportive. The rules established at a recovery center ensure no addictive substances are used or present in the facility. Some programs offer women therapies, services for children, transportation, and resources to cope with separation from family during rehab. The goal is to keep women from relapsing at a high rate. Women who are more successful in rehab are more likely to stay off drugs six months, a year, two years, and even further down the road. 

Finding a Facility

When women go looking for a facility, they may opt to look closer to home. This helps them stay connected to friends and family who support them. Women are more likely than men to become homeless when they don’t get help for addiction. Seeking recovery programs can help them learn how to navigate sobriety with the help of a community that supports their journey forward. Some other things to consider:
  • Connection to mental health services
  • Child-care support or services
  • Close connection to family 
  • Ability to cope with time away if going further away from home
  • Quality of resources and trained people available to help navigate the ins and outs of rehab
  • Strong community support within the house/facility
  • Flexibility for women who are professionals and have jobs
It takes time to find the right place to go that supports women and their challenges. The vital issues facing women may not impact men but their needs must be met if they are to succeed in life beyond rehab and sober living.

Steps in the Right Direction offers structured, gender-specific sober living in the San Fernando Valley, with pet-friendly homes for women in Northridge and men in Winnetka. For more information, call (818) 231-1400.

Looking for a supportive place for women to live during recovery? Aura House, our women's sober living home in Northridge, offers structure, community and comfort. Both homes are pet friendly. Call (818) 231-1400 or apply online.

Linda Butler, founder of Steps in the Right Direction

About the author: Linda Butler
Founder, Steps in the Right Direction

Linda Butler founded Steps in the Right Direction in the spring of 2000 and has spent more than 25 years helping women and men find lasting recovery through structured, pet-friendly sober living in the San Fernando Valley. Learn more about Linda.

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