Often the structure and routine of treatment programs help keep folks sober, and risking the loss of that when completing the program can be a threat to your recovery. If you or someone you know has recently quit drinking alcohol and is now sober—congratulations, quitting alcohol can be a long and difficult process. However, you might be wondering what happens now that the detox is over, you’ve completed your stay at an addiction treatment center, and it is time to go home. To keep an orderly home, reasonable house rules should be part of an SLH or halfway house protocol.
Halfway Houses: What Is a Halfway House?
Sober living houses and halfway houses are often used interchangeably as they both provide a substance-free living environment for those Halfway House vs Sober Living suffering from addiction. Differences between the two can stem from funding, length of stay, and requirements to apply to live there. Sober living homes typically do not limit the length of stay and may not require previous attendance in a formal addiction treatment program. Halfway houses, on the other hand, typically have a time limit and require residents to either be attending a treatment program or have recently completed one. In contrast with halfway houses, where court mandates or program guidelines may dictate stays, sober living homes offer flexibility. The primary focus is to provide a supportive environment until residents have built strong foundations for maintaining sobriety.
Daily Activities in Sober Living Homes
This includes paying rent on time, utilities, and other expenses related to the home. It is important for residents to understand that financial responsibility is a part of maintaining their sobriety and is an essential part of their recovery journey. Many people use the terms sober house and halfway house interchangeably. Here’s a closer look at these two different resources for people in addiction recovery.
Benefits of Halfway Houses for Rehab Aftercare
You’ve gone throughmedical detoxand completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. The qualifications to live in a halfway house vary depending on the facility. However, they are generally open to people who have completed an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program. While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates.
- Substance use treatment providers may offer oversight in some instances, although this is not always the case.
- Instead, this staff monitors compliance with rules and may transport residents to treatment, work, or the grocery store.
- Visitation from friends and family may be restricted to certain times and under specific conditions.
- If our home is affiliated with a family of programs, we may also gain access to supportive services like individual counseling, career coaching, and family therapy.
First, if you’re recently leaving a rehab stay or have just wrapped up an outpatient program, a sober living facility may provide you with the structure you need. These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing from addiction. They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society. The main reason an SLH or halfway house exists is to help residents learn to live everyday life without drugs or alcohol. Therefore, any residence you’re thinking of living in should support this goal by requiring abstinence and helping residents prevent relapse.
Family and Children’s Programs
Sober living houses are places where people battling with addiction can reside in an alcohol and drug-free environment. These homes provide peer support to help foster sobriety, as well as offer peer empowerment and responsibility. Generally, these establishments are private and situated in tranquil neighborhoods, so people can de-stress and focus on their recovery. A recovery housing model gives inhabitants the opportunity to get and give support from their peers and leaders in the community. Sober living homes and halfway houses share several commonalities, starting with purpose. Both sober houses and halfway houses provide housing and support for people working on their sobriety who no longer need inpatient treatment.