You’ve gone through medical detox and completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. While going home may seem like a relief after so much time in treatment, for some people, the thought is overwhelming—especially if you’re in a triggering environment or don’t have a strong support system at home. Halfway houses provide more freedom to residents than inpatient treatment programs. However, they still offer more structure and a larger support system than independent living.
What happens when you live a sober life?
The truth is that most folks who live in a halfway house go about their everyday lives. They go to school, attend their place of worship, work, and even visit with friends. There is also required participation in counseling, meetings, and being a good housemate through cleaning and other chores. A recovery residence (sober living home) provides a safe space with an ingrained social support system for post-detox patients following inpatient treatment but during outpatient treatment.
Differences Between Halfway Houses And Sober Living Homes
- Most halfway houses do not provide medical care, but many provide drug abuse programming.
- In general, most people find themselves staying at a halfway house anywhere from three to twelve months.
- Residents are normally asked to remain sober and comply with a recovery program.
- Furthermore, structured halfway houses have been shown to teach residents accountability for their actions and choices, ultimately and effectively leading to a maintained sober life.
- Before choosing a halfway house, make sure you understand and agree with the rules.
If you’re committed to living a sober lifestyle but aren’t ready to transition to life at home, a halfway house is a great option to consider. Halfway houses provide support to those who are new to recovery and are committed to a life without their addiction. They offer a middle step for people who are committed to sober living but aren’t ready to live independently.
- Whatever the source of the referral, take a tour of the facility and talk to the people living there to decide if it’s the right fit for you.
- A new poll shared with The Guardian by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) reveals that more than half (53%) of managers said their firm offered sabbatical leave, compared with 29% who said they did not.
- They offer a middle step for people who are committed to sober living but aren’t ready to live independently.
- These facilities offer support, therapy, and resources to help residents manage their mental health conditions and develop independent living skills.
Level 1: Peer Run Recovery Residence
The main goal of residential reentry centers, the term that the Federal Bureau of Prisons uses to describe halfway houses,is to reduce recidivism. Most of the centers are run by contractors, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons provides oversight. The term halfway house has beenstigmatized because of its association withprisoners and people who have a history of drug use.
Life in a Halfway House Can Be an Integral Part of the Recovery Process
What’s more, halfway houses have a financial incentive to maintain full occupancy due to the conditions of contracts. Since states have overwhelmingly failed to protect incarcerated people in jails and prisons, the outlook for halfway houses what is a halfway house is bleak. Federally contracted halfway houses are called Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs). State-licensed halfway houses can be referred to by a variety of terms, like Transitional Centers, Reentry Centers, Community Recovery Centers, etc.
How Long Can You Stay in a Sober-Living House?
A minimum stay of three months is recommended, but many benefit from a longer stay for sustained sobriety. Living in a sober environment helps you develop new habits and routines, taking what you learned during drug or alcohol rehab and applying it in your daily life. The goal of sober living facilities is to integrate you back into the community as you live out your sobriety every day. Sober living houses will generally do check-ins with fellow residents who have assumed accountability roles, whereas halfway houses do check-ins with paid staff members who live off-campus. Halfway houses are usually publicly funded by treatment centers or the government and do not expect residents to cover all living expenses. Funding disruptions could occur at any time, depending on budget cuts for whichever entity owns the house.
Are Halfway Houses Only for People With Addiction Issues?
Even basic statistics, such as the number of halfway houses in the country or the number of people living in them, are difficult to impossible to find. Before selecting one, determine whether or not the facility meets your unique needs. In California, halfway houses are not required to be licensed by the DHCS [2], but are subject to other permits and regulations. At Ocean Recovery, we have relationships with some of the best sober living homes in the area and can help place you in the facility that is the best fit for your needs and goals. Some transitional housing facilities accept credit card payments or offer in-house financing. Paul needed a structured and supportive social life, he needed to be with others in recovery.
Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support
From states like Minnesota, we are able to see that the carceral conditions in federal RRCs are often mirrored in the state system. For the most part, people go to halfway houses because it is a mandatory condition of their release from prison. Some people may also go to halfway houses without it being required, simply because the facility provides housing. Placement in Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) post-incarceration can technically be declined by people slated for release, but doing so would require staying in prison instead. In addition, a stay in a recovery house might be a partial requirement of a criminal sentence. Residents are normally asked to remain sober and comply with a recovery program.