Eudaimonia House - Sober Living Homes

Aim

To help addicts break free from their addiction and live a life of meaning & purpose. Then, when sober, help others achieve the same freedom

Background

Addiction is not a disease that can be cured by a medical detoxification and a 28-day inpatient rehabilitation programme. It is a lifelong illness that, whilst incurable, can be treated and managed successfully if the right resources are available and utilised. Even after being provided with all the tools needed to succeed there is always a chance of a relapse. It is a disease that not only effects that individual, it impacts everyone around them and ripples out.  

Getting sober is not the hardest part.  Maintaining sobriety is. It takes work, action and long-term commitment. If an individual leaves a rehabilitation centre after a lengthy stay and does not have a solid aftercare programme, they are automatically jeopardising their recovery. However, having spent 28 days or more in an institution with minimal, if any, contact with the outside world, these individuals are too preoccupied trying to clear up the wreckage of their past and try to piece together what has happened whilst they have been absent to even think about their recovery. This is despite knowing, whatever they put ahead of recovery they will lose, if they do not make recovery the number one priority. 

A lot of these individuals have not been able to get through a single day in the “real world” sober/clean for years. The effects on the brain of long-term drinking /misusing substance can take months, sometimes years, to get back to baseline so these individuals are still healing long after 28-days. Things which may seem simple to everyone else are incredibly challenge, such as cooking, prioritising, organising, budgeting, and grocery shopping. The majority of inpatient’s never follow up on the aftercare offered simply because they are too overwhelmed by the drastic change of environment and trying to managing their lives. 

In addition, many of these individuals either, return to the same environment as the one they were in when in active addiction. The highest risk of relapse is in the early few months after completing a inpatient rehabilitation programme. This risk is even higher for those who only attended for a 7-day medical “detox”. These individuals have not been given the tools to maintain sobriety. The "detox" aspect of recovery is the equivalent of a plaster on a gaping wound. Leave it long enough and will fall off. This is the sad reality for some individuals of certain professions such as doctors, dentists, lawyer where anonymity is the limiting factor. This was a battle I fought until I hit rock bottom and I had to finally surrendered.

Sober living Homes

Eudaimonia House is a sober living house that provides a residential aftercare programme that bridges the gap between inpatient rehabilitation and normal life. It also provides respite for anyone struggle, vulnerable or at risk of relapsing.  It ensures an alcohol and drug free environment that provides structured, transitional/temporary housing for individuals in recovery. 

Sober living has been shown to be a highly effective method for addicts/alcoholic to remain abstinent long term. Sober houses are popular in the US and other countries because they have proved to be highly effective. Historically, the UK Government funded several “half-way houses” or "Dry Houses", which are a similar concept, but, unfortunately, they have since closed due to lack of funding. There is no private organisation currently offering this invaluable service.

Inside Housing - Insight - Dry houses: what are they and why are they disappearing? 

The Principles

Residential aftercare services have been proven to be effective in maintaining sobriety. Research also shows that individuals who engage in intensive aftercare programmes while living at a sober living home are more likely to experience positive results, such as sustained sobriety, employment, and the development of supportive peer relationships.  The idea is that individuals in early recovery will live together in a same sexed house and provide peer to peer support, which is crucial in the recovery process, hence the reason AA is so successful. It will create a structure of routine, treatment and support to promote independence, fulfilment and happiness. It will provide services that will allow those in recovery life to relearn life skills such as eating and living healthy, career progression, budgeting and independence. Crucially, it will also support them in this vulnerable period in recovery using evidenced based methods such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming and more including holist therapies.

Unlike inpatient rehabilitation centres, there is more independence. The timetables work around their other "normal life" commitments such as work, interviews, family commitments etc and take into account their needs. Once drawn up, individuals have the freedom to leave and return in between those scheduled commitments as long as they are within the times set in the rule and regulations which includes random drug and alcohol testing. This home becomes their home. Their laptops and phones will not be confiscated because, not only is that a false reality, but being able to reach out, communicate and connect with people are crucial aspects of maintain sobriety. This is because disease of addition flourishes in when in self-isolation. 

They will learn to take ownership and responsibility such as actively being involved in creating a bespoke timetable with regards to their treatments and therapies. No two schedules will be the same as they are all tailored to the needs of the individual. This is especially important with respect to those who have completed a detox but did not complete the rehabilitation programme. The bespoke timetable will ensure they are equipped with all the tools when they leave. This also applies to those individuals who are feeling vulnerable or at risk of relapsing due to personal circumstances. Each individual will have mandatory sessions depending on their needs, for example, psychotherapy appointments, group therapy and personal training but ultimately, they take ownership of adhering to the timetable they have created. They will also be responsible for their own cooking (ingredients from preselected recipes provided) and ensuring the house stays clean. 

Houses To Live Soberly | Drug Rehab in London (drugrehab-london.co.uk)

Conclusion

The aim is to immerse that individual in a healthy environment that gives them extra skills and tools to remain sober whilst living a normal life. They will have access to nutritional advice, cooking sessions, Neuro Linguistic Programming  and EMDR plus more, as well as participating in the 12-step programme. They will be purposefully exposed to potential trigger places such as supermarkets, restaurants, off-licenses etc in a controlled, supported way and taught management techniques to cope with the urges. The goal is for them to live a healthier, enjoyable and self-sufficient life free from the bondages of addiction and ultimately, once they feel strong their sobriety, go and help another still suffering addict. 

This project closed unsuccessfully on 8th July 2021