A halfway house is a housing facility for individuals that have just left prison or jail. Thus, a halfway house is meant to help former inmates that are potentially in recovery from substance addiction transition back into regular society. Suppose you or your loved one feels the need to continue living in a sober community environment after your stay at a halfway home. In that case, you might want to look into sober living houses as the next step in your recovery journey. Rehabilitation does the initial work, but when treatment is over, there is usually the development of an aftercare plan, which could include a halfway house. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment aims to return people to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community.

It’s easy to confuse sober living houses with rehab centers or halfway houses, but there are some stark differences among them. Rehab centers offer intensive recovery programs that help residents overcome addictions by following strict rules and regulations. Halfway houses usually require that residents complete a formal rehab treatment program and they limit the amount of time residents can stay to 12 months. A halfway house is a facility that people who have undergone drug or alcohol rehab treatment stay in after their treatment is complete. It’s a safe place for individuals who are in the recovery phase of their addiction and is designed to serve as a transitional spot as a person is between rehab and their normal daily life. In some cases, a person might voluntarily choose to stay in a halfway house to stay on the right track as they prepare for life after their substance use disorder.

Discover the Sober Living Difference

You should expect to spend around the same amount of money you’d spend on rent for a modest apartment. The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. Halfway houses for patients in the US generally fall into one of two models.

When helping recovering addicts, they help to bridge their treatment from living in a residential program to living in a world filled with temptations. A halfway house enables an addict to find the support they need to continue their recovery. The structure of a halfway house supports sober living and building structure and routine. Also, you are able to work, go to school, and attend support meetings along the way.

Halfway House Requirements for Residents

Federally contracted halfway houses are called residential re-entry centers, and state-licensed halfway houses are referred to as transitional centers, re-entry centers, or community recovery centers. For example, sober living homes, accommodate people recovering from addiction. Restitution centers are community-based or residential correctional facilities that act as alternatives to traditional incarceration, instead of prison or jail where a person serves their entire sentence. The term halfway house refers to facilities that differ in function and purpose. Most sober living homes are open to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, although some are available to people with behavioral addictions such as sex addiction, gambling, or overeating.

• Experts estimate that more than 2 million people participate in some form of drug and alcohol treatment every year.
• The atmosphere in a halfway house is generally positive, and residents have ample opportunities for having fun and making new friends that may last a lifetime.
• During your time at the halfway house, you should continue going to work or school, but you will have to follow all the rules.

You should also be certain to pack essentials, such as toiletries, clothing, medication, identification, and chargers. Specific nuances of each rule depend on the sober living home or manager. As you’re searching for the environment that’s right for you, ask each potential recovery home what their rules are. JourneyPure Emerald Coast is committed to helping clients and their families restore broken bonds and find a common ground for healing. Addiction is often times a systemic disease affecting not only all aspects of the individual but their surroundings and relationships as well. Because family plays a huge role in recovery, we offer treatment services that address enabling, past traumas and include family counseling and experiential therapies in our treatment options.

Programming integrity

Inpatient treatment centers are also residential and allow recovering addicts to live at the facility for days. During inpatient care, patients will participate in different types of therapy and support groups. Inpatient rehab does not allow patients to leave the facility https://goodmenproject.com/everyday-life-2/top-5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-house-for-living/ until their program is complete. Sober living houses, also known as recovery homes, are somewhat different from halfway houses. Sober recovery residences can be run by businesses, religious groups, or private individuals, while halfway homes are government-funded.

Transitioning from rehab to a sober living facility is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. It’s an excellent opportunity to hone relapse prevention skills and gradually adjust to the outside world. In the communal home, residents must pay their own way and may be required to take on more responsibility than they would in a rehab center. For example, members must often pay for rent and hold a steady job or attend school. They must also contribute to the community by helping with chores, taking responsibility for their actions, and respecting and obeying all house rules.

Key Differences Between Sober Living Homes, Rehabs, and Halfway Houses

Typically, as long as you follow the rules, you may live in the home for as long as you want.

However, it is important to consider if a halfway house is the right option for you and is a good choice for your recovery. According to the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, lack of a stable, alcohol, and drug-free living environment can be a serious obstacle to sustained abstinence. A destructive living environment derails recovery for even highly motivated individuals. Halfway houses, sober living homes, or any form of transitional housing are alcohol and drug-free living environments for individuals attempting to abstain from alcohol and drugs. All of the individuals that live in a sober living facility are new to addiction recovery. Thus, it’s usually a requirement within sober living homes for residents to abstain from alcohol or drugs while living there.

Halfway houses: What are they?

Florida halfway houses and sober living facilities require residents to take and pass regular drug and alcohol tests. This is but one of numerous rules that you must adhere to while living in these locations. Being able to pass weekly drug and alcohol tests shows that you’re doing all that you should to remain sober. These measures are also taken to ensure that other residents are not being exposed to temptations that might harm their recoveries.

And a very effective halfway house will make sure its recovering addicts are required to be engaged in some type of regular activity. This activity can include participating in education, searching for a job or engaging in regular employment. How to Choose a Sober House: Tips to Focus on So you and your counselors at the drug treatment center have developed a plan. Your counselors don’t want you to experience the added stressors that will be in place if you return home, so they want you to go to a halfway house.