Should I Move to California for Sober Living?

Learn More About California Sober Living Homes and Pursuing a Sober Lifestyle in the Golden State

Are you considering a move to California for sober living? On the surface, there is certainly a lot to like about this idea. California is a beautiful state, of course, with wonderful weather throughout the year and plenty of things to do and see.

But is making this kind of move the best thing for building a future free from addiction? Should I move to California for sober living, you ask? Let’s take a closer look at the idea so you can get closer to making the right decision for your needs.

Here at South Shores Recovery, we do not offer sober living, but we can refer you to reputable and well-established community partners who will serve that purpose perfectly.

Of course, if you are early in your recovery journey and need to find a qualified facility to start on addiction treatment, we are ready to serve you. No matter what you may need, feel free to call us at any time to chat about your situation.

What is a Sober Living Home and Who Is It For?

Sober living homes offer a structured, substance-free environment that is designed to support individuals in recovery. Typically, sober living homes are used as a transition back to everyday life after going through a treatment center program.

Many residents end up in sober living homes, sometimes called halfway houses, after going through a residential treatment program, although it’s also possible to take this step after outpatient programs.

There usually is no form of clinical therapy or medical services delivered on-site. Instead, the value of sober living is that it offers stable housing for those in early recovery, while also providing peer support that comes from others in a similar situation in life. Residents do need to follow house rules, including remaining abstinent from drug and alcohol use.

The recovery process is a long and winding journey, and you might not be able to jump back into normal life after treatment while maintaining long-term sobriety. This is where sober living fills an important need for so many. Going from inpatient treatment to sober living, and then back out to living on your own, is a natural progression while working to leave substance use disorders behind.

What are the Typical Rules for Sober Living Homes in California?

To be clear: sober living homes can vary significantly in terms of structure, rules, and community support. But the location of a sober living home should be in a safe, peaceful neighborhood to support recovery, whenever possible.

Residents of sober living homes are often required to comply with house rules, such as maintaining abstinence and attending house meetings (sober living homes typically encourage or require attendance at 12-step meetings or similar support groups)

Residents must pay for their own costs, including rent and utilities, in sober living homes. Accordingly, residents in sober living homes are typically encouraged to find employment or attend school as part of their recovery process.

Sober Living Homes vs Halfway Houses in California

Sober living homes are typically privately owned, while halfway houses are usually owned by the state. Halfway houses may be court-mandated for individuals coming from correctional facilities, whereas sober living homes provide housing for those coming from substance abuse rehab programs.

A few of the core differences include:

• Residents of sober living homes are often required to pay for their own costs, while halfway houses may receive government funding.
• Residents of sober living homes are typically encouraged to find employment or attend school, which is not always a requirement in halfway houses.
• Sober living homes allow residents to stay as long as they wish, provided they follow the house rules, unlike halfway houses which often have time limits.

Why California is Such a Popular Sober Living Destination

California has long been a destination for people seeking recovery from a variety of challenges in life. That concept certainly applies to sober living, as there is a lot to like about what you’ll find in California, whether you choose the Los Angeles area or somewhere else around the state.

So, what is it about California that makes it such an excellent destination for sober living?

You can start with the weather. It’s common for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction to engage in outdoor wellness activities as a way to fill the space that was previously occupied by substance abuse.

Of course, this is much easier in California than in other parts of the U.S., as the weather is lovely throughout the year. You’ll have plenty of access to sunshine and mild temperatures, encouraging you to get outside of the sober home during the day to explore the landscape and build new hobbies and habits.

Searching for Sober Living in the Golden State Offers Many Choices

There are also many qualified addiction treatment facilities located in California. If you decide to come here to search for recovery housing, you’ll have tons of options up and down the state. Specifically, Southern California is home to an incredible assortment of these facilities.

Along with so many available facilities and homes, you’ll also find a supportive environment for those in recovery. Support meetings are abundant, and you should be able to build a healthy support system that will help you stay sober for the long run.

Whether life in California is a stepping stone back toward where you are from, or you decide to stick around and enjoy your long-term recovery in this beautiful place, most residents love their experience here.

The Potential Advantages of Moving for Sober Living

Setting aside the benefits of California specifically, there is a lot to like about moving for sober living in general. If you have been struggling with addiction and mental health challenges in your hometown, getting away from that environment will put distance between you and your various triggers. This can create the physical space needed for real change to take hold.

When you come to California for sober living, you’ll move into a structured environment that might be thousands of miles away from your usual hangouts. This move will get you away from unhealthy relationships and enable you to build a new daily life that is centered on the mutual support of others on a recovery journey.

Without the usual temptations or settings where past substance abuse has occurred, you may find it much easier to resist a return to drug use. This new lifestyle will feel good, and you’ll have an opportunity for a kind of long-term success that might not have been within reach back home.

The Benefits of Considering a Sober Living Home in CA

We have said a lot of good things to this point about the idea of sober living in California. Of course, nothing applies to everyone, so it’s also important to highlight a few things to think about on the other side of the coin before you pack your bags and head for the coast.

• For sobriety, many California facilities focus on reintegration by teaching budgeting, meal planning, and job-readiness skills, often providing tutoring.
• Residents of sober living homes often experience improvements in alcohol and drug use, employment, and psychiatric symptoms over time.
• Residents who stay in sober living homes for longer periods tend to have better outcomes in terms of sustained sobriety.
• Residents in California sober homes show significantly higher long-term recovery rates compared to those who return home immediately after rehab.

What to Look for in Vetting Sober Living Homes in the Golden State

California has the most sober living homes and treatment programs in the United States. It’s crucial to research specific sober living homes for structure, rules, community integration, and quality.

This can be done with a check for CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals) certification to ensure a sober living home adheres to standards.

Here are some

• The costs for sober living homes in California typically range from $300 to $1,350 monthly.
• California hosts between 1,700 and 2,000 sober living homes within 150 miles of major hubs.
• California follows a standard 4-level model for recovery residences: Level 1 (Peer-Run Homes), Level 2 (Monitored Homes), Level 3 (Supervised Homes), and Level 4 (Integrated Treatment Homes).
• Level 1 homes are democratically run by residents with no paid staff, making them the most independent and affordable option. Higher levels of homes are more suited to those seeking more consistent support, and with fewer days of sobriety.
• Unclear rules and lack of drug testing are red flags when assessing sober living homes.

While this is not an exhaustive checklist by any means, visiting the CCAP resource above or the Sober Living Task Force can give more updated resources to check out.

Get a Foundation for Living Sober in California at South Shores

Whether or not you decide to move to California for sober living is entirely up to you, but learning as much as you can about the sober housing options here is a good first step.

By gathering information about substance abuse treatment and the sober living houses around Southern California, you can make an educated choice regarding your future.

If you or your loved one are still seeking support for getting (and staying) clean and sober, we’d love to talk about it today.

Give us a confidential call, and we can explain our substance abuse rehab program, give you information on sober living facilities, or answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate, reach out today!

References and Resources

1. California Department of Health Care Services. (2025, November 18). Licensing and certification – complaints (includes “Sober Living/Transitional Housing” guidance).
2. Housing and Homelessness Resource Center. (2024, September). Recovery housing: Expanding access and supporting choice (Issue brief).
3. MacCannell, J., & Hogue, K. J. (2016). Sober living homes in California: Options for state and local regulation. California Research Bureau, California State Library.
4. National Alliance for Recovery Residences. (n.d.). California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (State affiliate page).
5. National Alliance for Recovery Residences. (n.d.). NARR levels of support (overview of Level I–IV recovery residence models).
6. Polcin, D. L., Korcha, R., Bond, J., & Galloway, G. (2010). Sober living houses for alcohol and drug dependence: 18-month outcomes. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 38(4), 356–365.
7. Reif, S., George, P., Braude, L., Dougherty, R. H., Daniels, A. S., Ghose, S. S., & Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. (2014). Recovery housing: Assessing the evidence. Psychiatric Services, 65(3), 295–300. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201300243
8. Subbaraman, M. S., Mahoney, E., Mericle, A., & Polcin, D. (2023). Six-month length of stay is associated with better recovery outcomes among residents of sober living houses. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 49(5), 675–683. doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2245123
9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Housing supports recovery and well-being (Publication No. PEP24-08-007). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). 2020 state profile — California: National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS).