Due to problems with drugs or alcohol, some people aren't able to live on their own without some types of assistance. In the past, too many people were released from treatment centers for drugs or alcohol back to the life they knew before. As a result, it wasn't long before they relapsed. Transitional living came into play to help reduce the alarming rate of recidivism.



With transitional living, an individual has the very best chances of breaking their cycle of using drugs and alcohol. They may have started out using them to cope with issues in their life or to self medicate. Others simply followed the lead that was already established by their parents or the peers.

In a transitional living setting, these individuals are able to get the ongoing treatment they need. The other people living in the facility with them also have issues with drugs or alcohol so there is plenty of support that comes from those that are going through the same things. Since no drugs or alcohol is allowed in the facility, it isn't readily available.

Random testing for these substances is conducted to keep people away from it when they are engaging in activities outside of the facility. It isn't uncommon for those in a transitional living situation to be able to attend school or engage in regular employment.

A treatment plan has to be in place for each individual. They will work to set and achieve goals with the help of their counselor. The idea is to give them all they need to feel secure in their environment. Once this is accomplished changes to their lifestyle and behaviors can be implemented. It does take time for these changes to become part of the person's regular beliefs and mindset.

A person can remain in a transitional living arrangement for up to two years in most areas. The relapse rate of such individuals is significantly lower than those that complete a 90 day treatment program and then are able to get back to their normal routine they had established before.

Due to the success of transitional living facilities, they are becoming a very common part of society. In many areas, the legal system is sentencing those with offenses related to drugs and alcohol to transitional living facilities instead of prisons. It is believed they can get the treatment they need from this type of establishment to be a valuable member of society.