Getting clean and sober in Chicago is not for the weak of heart, but for the committed and determined. Once achieved, the journey does not end. For many, this is the beginning of a long and difficult challenge. Weaning yourself back into society, for many, is the first step back into addiction if the right tools are not available. The Stairway to Freedom Recovery Homes in Chicago are the most effective way to transition a recovering alcoholic or drug addict back into a positive and encouraging lifestyle.

Our community of recovery homes throughout the Chicago area, provide a safe and comfortable place for those who have made the choice to no longer use. Each home is modern and designed with all the comforts you could want. Computers, televisions, modern kitchens, bathrooms and laundry facilities. These after-care homes make certain that the transition back, is one that produces the safest and most positive outcome for continuing recovery.

The goal of Stairway to Freedom is to provide a place where those who have decided that their addiction will no longer control them, and that it is possible for it to come to an end, can have a home to build structure and a strong foundation. This will then give them the strength they need to step out into the world with a new lease on life. Recovery is a process that takes time and patience. The recovery homes in Chicago are the best part of that process.

If you have any questions or just want to talk to someone to get more information, please contact us anytime or start a consultation now.

The path that leads to sobriety can be a long and bumpy one; and recovery is only the beginning. In order to maintain a long and successful stay ON the wagon, the support of the right aftercare facility is a must. So, where do you go?

Stairway to Freedom provides recovering alcoholics/addicts a safe place to live after rehab is complete. This Halfway House in Chicago provides all of the comfort of modern living, such as flat screen TVs and modern kitchens; while offering a safe and sober place to finish your recovery.

Why is Living in a Halfway House Important?

The National Institutes of Health found in a study of sober-living houses (also known as halfway houses) that drug addicts and alcoholics who cycle directly out of inpatient treatment and into their old lives and habits face a greatly elevated chance of relapse. Without sober-living homes or other ways to bridge the gaps from total-immersion residential care facilities to the unrestricted environments that they came from before entering care, compulsive substance abusers are far more likely to revert to their old patterns of use very soon after being discharged.

Keeping You Accountable.

At a Stairway to Freedom Halfway House, all residents/clients are subject to random breathalyzers and drug tests. The rules on the grounds are clear: all areas of living and the grounds are sober areas. You are offered a safe place to live and receive the support you need to keep on the path of recovery. The focus is kept on how to help all residents/clients use the tools that they have received in rehab in their real life. At Stairway to Freedom we focus on how to make each client a more responsible and productive member of society.

For more information or to see if this is where you belong, please contact us.

Recovering from any addiction isn’t easy. Whether it’s smoking, fingernail biting, or drinking too much soda, there is no one magic antidote. It will take time and discipline. However, it can be done and it has to be done because it will make the world a better place. This is where Stairway to Freedom can help. The most important thing is to live One Day At A Time.

The Chicken or the Egg

It is often said that depression and addiction are like the chicken and the egg. We may never know which came first. But that’s OK.

Often, when a person is depressed, he or she is thinking about the past; with anxiety. But, when you stop to think about it, now is really all that matters, all that ever has mattered, and all that ever will matter.

When people get depressed or anxious, they become absorbed into these self-destructive thoughts that consume and threaten to annihilate their world, but each person has the power to end that thinking, to live now.

Wherever you are, be there.  If you’re cooking, don’t think about what’s on TV, think about chopping the onions and carrots. If you’re reading a book, don’t think about what made you mad at work today, think about each word on each page.

The Power of Now

“To make the journey into The Power of Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind,” says Eckhart Tolle in The Power of Now, a how-to book on overcoming attachments.

The idea is not that we should despise all attachments and hate our ego, but instead to transcend these notions through understanding them. Instead of being mad that you have to wait in line at the check-out counter because the old lady working the register is slow, try to understand her. See the world through her eyes.

Through understanding others, we can rise above a self-centered worldview to realize that immediate pleasure is not the only thing there is. There’s so much more to the world than that.

Alternatives to Addiction

It’s easy to feel run down and exhausted after a long day, and fall into an unproductive pattern, but do something else.

Service is a magnificent alternative to addiction. Doing something for somebody else without hoping for any sort of compensation is life-altering. It can put the world in perspective and help you realize that everybody needs help once in a while. Nobody is perfect and we all have our short-comings, but together, we can make the world a better place.

So, get out there and help someone. As the wise Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Our Goal

Stairway to Freedom believes that it is essential for somebody who is recovering to abstain from all drugs and alcohol, participate in a recovery program, live in a shared living community, and regularly attend 12-step meetings. To learn more, visit Sober Living Chicago.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our support, please contact us for more information.

Staying in a halfway house is a great way to remain clean and sober. It offers an opportunity to transition from rehab or detox into normal life. It is important that you find a halfway house that meets your specific needs. Below are some things to consider that will help you find the right halfway house in Chicago.

Goals

What are your goals? what do you plan to achieve by staying in the house? knowing your purpose ahead of time helps you determine which facility is best suited for you. Find a house that can support and assist you in achieving your objectives. Obviously, staying clean and sober is a primary goal and all halfway houses will assist with that. But, what are your other goals? Do you want to get a job? Do you want to attend school? Do you want to work on repairing your family? Do you need treatment for mental illness or physical disabilities? The best halfway house for you is the one most able to assist you in reaching all of your goals.

Rules

Each halfway house has its own set of rules and regulations. Ask about these and make sure you are comfortable with them. You need to be able to follow all of the rules and you also want their rules to match your values. For example, if cigarette smoke bothers you, seek a non-smoking home. If you stay up late watching TV, make sure this is allowed at the home you are considering. Some facilities require that everyone work. Is this something that fits with your recovery?

Staff

A quality halfway house has trained staff. They will be an integral part of your success, so ensure they are properly trained. This is simply a matter of asking about their experience and education. It is also a good idea to speak with primary staff members to check that personalities do not clash. You want to have a pleasant relationship with these people. As they oversee your continued sobriety.

Location

Chicago offers many halfway houses. Location may be an important determining factor for you. Do you want to be close to family? Do you need to be close to work? Is there a certain area of town that you need to avoid because it is a trigger for you? Do you need to be located near public transportation? These are important things to consider when choosing a house.

There are plenty of great halfway houses in Chicago. The key is finding one that suits your specific needs. It is a significant step in your continued recovery. Take the time to find the optimal house for your situation.

Contact us for more information.