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Sober living after rehab, or after residential treatment, is a structured, substance-free home where a man lives with other men in recovery while he takes the next step: outpatient care, work, school and rebuilding daily life. For many families and discharge planners, it is the bridge between 24 hour treatment and going home. Blackburn Recovery Services runs men-only sober living homes in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City in West Los Angeles, plus independent Sober Apartments, and has served the Westside since 2012. Call (888) 305-5422 to talk through a discharge plan or schedule a virtual tour while he is still in treatment.
Key takeaways
- Start planning the step down before discharge, not on the last day of treatment.
- A virtual tour lets him see a home while he is still in his program, and an in-person tour works when that is easier.
- Look for full-time staff, frequent testing, a clear weekly structure and a plan for keeping his treatment team and family informed.
- Blackburn sends weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams, with the resident’s written permission.
Why the step down matters
Residential treatment gives a man a protected place to stop using and start doing the work. The weeks right after it end are when that work gets tested: more free time, less supervision, old places and old people nearby. Going straight home can mean going back to the same pressures that were there before treatment. Sober living keeps structure, accountability and a sober community in place while he practices living on his own terms, with a job, school or outpatient program filling the day.
Planning sober living before discharge
The smoothest transitions are planned with the treatment team while he is still in the program. Questions worth working through together:
- What level of support does his treatment team recommend after discharge: sober living, outpatient treatment, or both?
- Which outpatient program, therapist or psychiatric provider will he see, and how will he get to appointments?
- Will he work, look for work or go back to school, and what pace makes sense in the first months?
- Who should receive updates, and is he willing to sign the permission for that?
- Does he take medication, and who manages it?
We are glad to talk with the client, his family and his treatment team before discharge, and to offer a virtual tour so he can see a home while he is still in his program. Treatment professionals can find more on how we coordinate on our page for treatment professionals.
What to look for in a sober living home after treatment
Sober living homes vary a lot. When you compare options, ask each one:
- Who is in the house? Is there staff at the home, or is it peer-run only?
- How often do you test? Is drug and alcohol testing random and frequent?
- What does a week look like? Are there meeting requirements, goal setting and help building a schedule?
- How do you work with his treatment team? Will his providers and family hear how he is doing?
- How is medication handled? Is there a clear process for medication management?
- Can we see it first? Will they offer an in-person or virtual tour?
- How do referrals work? A recommendation should be about fit, not money. Blackburn does not pay for referrals.
For a side by side look at the levels of care, see sober living vs halfway house vs rehab.
How Blackburn supports men after residential treatment
- Men-only homes in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City, plus independent Sober Apartments as a later step.
- Full-time staff at every location.
- Drug testing three times a week and daily alcohol testing.
- Weekly 12 Step meeting requirements and weekly goal setting, with help building a schedule around outpatient care, work or school.
- Established medication management, and support for residents on Vivitrol.
- Weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams, with the resident’s written permission.
- Residents can work full time and attend local colleges such as UCLA, Santa Monica College and West LA College.
- Optional added support: case management, mentoring, drug and alcohol monitoring, and sober companion and sober transport services.
Support for families
Families do not have to figure out the step down alone. Blackburn hosts a free virtual family support group every other Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Pacific, led by a licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services. More for parents and partners is on our Families page.
Questions about sober living after residential treatment
Can he see a Blackburn home before he leaves treatment?
Yes. We offer virtual tours by video, so he can see a home while he is still in his program, and in-person tours when that is easier. Call (888) 305-5422 to schedule one.
Will his treatment team and family get updates?
Yes, with his written permission. Blackburn sends weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams who are part of his plan.
Can he keep his outpatient program and therapist?
Yes. Our homes are recovery residences, not treatment programs, so outside clinical care continues alongside the home. House staff help residents build appointments into their weekly schedule.
Is Blackburn sober living only for men?
Yes. All Blackburn sober living homes and our sober apartments are male only.
Does Blackburn pay for referrals?
No. Blackburn does not pay for referrals. We will tell you plainly if a different level of care would serve him better.
Talk with our team
Call Blackburn Recovery Services at (888) 305-5422 to talk through a discharge plan and schedule an in-person or virtual tour, email info@blackburnrecoveryservices.com, or use the confidential request a call back form on our Contact page. If someone is in danger right now, call 911. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988.