Southern Bridges provide a bridge between inpatient treatment and the ‘real world’. This is also referred to as halfway houses, sober living, which provides more stability, and support than returning straight to home.

We have developed a unique housing pathway that provides specialist support throughout all stages of the recovery journey. Above all, we are extremely passionate about supporting residents to live life to the fullest, free from substances. In order, to aid this the residents are involved in the running of the house including the cooking and cleaning. Therefore, learning to live and work as part of a community.

Benefits of halfway houses sober living

Each resident has their own keyworker, who provides one to one support. They work together to agree a support plan setting out the areas where support is needed.

Some of the benefits of our supported accommodation are:

• Encourage residents to develop healthy strategies and coping skills
• Provide structured days
• Prevent residents from isolating and returning to their old ways
• Receive support from our professional team
• Randomised alcohol and drug testing
• Encourage development of essential skills for independent living
• Access to a trained and accredited counsellor
• Support residents to rebuild relationships with family, friends and of course themselves
• Encourage access to education, training or voluntary work

It is widely accepted in the medical community that halfway houses sober living are an underused method of alcohol and substance rehabilitation. Therefore, encouraging long-term strategies for a successful recovery.

Are they effective?

Halfway houses sober living provide an added layer of stability which insulates recovering addicts from relapse. A literature review conducted in 2021 published in the Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the community highlighted that abstinence is enhanced when individuals are embedded in a drug-free settings that supports abstinence. Also, mentioning that a major risk factor for relapse are a lack of social environments to support sustained remission.

The social environment at Southern Bridges is such that not only will there be support from a team of professionals but also the residents will form a support network themselves which will help prevent relapse.

If you would like any more information then please check out our housing referrals page and do not hesitate to get in touch with us.