Sober Living Homes: the Complete Guide

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. Services provided vary by location, but the primary goal of all halfway houses is to help residents adjust to a sober life and reintegrate into society. They accomplish this by connecting residents to local resources, such as clinics and peer-support programs, like 12-Step meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

How Much Does It Cost?

Halfway houses are government-funded and serve as transitional housing for those who have finished their drug and alcohol treatment programs. Sober living houses are usually peer-run facilities encouraging continued substance use disorder recovery. Occasionally they are run by a charity or an addiction treatment center as a less structured and what is a halfway house more informal version of the inpatient treatment plans they offer. Sober living houses allow residents to live together in a drug and alcohol-free space. Residents pay rent to live there at a value similar to renting privately in the local area. As individuals pay rent and expenses, there is generally no time limit on how long they can stay.

• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• Determine the population you want to serve, such as men, women, or specific demographics.
• These homes can offer an in-between option for individuals after they complete a treatment program and before they return to their homes and lives.
• Everyone living in the house must remain sober while living there, and some halfway houses even require residents to pass a drug screening and breathalyzer test.

Bedford/Stuyvesant Alcohol Treatment Center/Holoman Halfway House

Receiving additional support in the early days post-treatment can significantly enhance the chance of achieving long-term sobriety. This is particularly related to the peer support and solidarity offered at a sober living home where all residents are on the recovery journey together. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states, peer support programs during and following treatment can help maintain abstinence.

What to Know About Halfway Houses

However, there are specific items that are prohibited from entering a halfway house. Some of these items include weapons, drugs, alcohol, and any toiletries that contain alcohol in them. If you have any of these when you arrive at Creekside, they will be confiscated. In addition to curfews and drug testing, these rules may include required participation in support groups or other activities and mandated performance of certain household chores. For many, the thought of returning home after addiction treatment can be daunting. Substance abuse can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including how they function in their family, work, and community.

FEATURED TREATMENT CENTERS

While halfway houses are utilized in the criminal justice system, they are not only for former prisoners. Some recovering addicts may struggle with too much freedom and need more of a residential rehab center’s structure. Every halfway house will have its own unique rules, but these rules are relatively common among halfway homes.

While halfway houses provide an excellent and affordable sober living community, there may be some disadvantages to a halfway home for certain people. Living in a halfway house can be a great bridge between finishing your rehab program and returning to your regular life. A halfway house will give you more time to transition, but it also provides a robust support system of sober peers to encourage you.

• Still, these follow similar rules to inpatient treatment programs to help maintain that sense of structure.
• Our homes are located in desirable, safe neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia.
• This is not to say that there aren’t non-profit halfway houses you can get into, but the waiting time can be extensive.

However, those who are transitioning out of a correctional facility will likely be required to be sober, so the purpose is similar. The purpose of a halfway house is to provide transitional housing for people who need it most. The focus was to separate the user from their previous substance-abusing environment so that they could recover in a sober, supportive environment. Prison systems in many states use halfway houses to help individuals re-enter society after incarceration. These houses providean array of services that can include treatment for substance use disorders.

• Sober living homes, sometimes referred to as transitional living arrangements, halfway houses, or recovery residences, can be a step down from formal substance use treatment programs.
• Assigned house chores will have to be completed and a curfew will be imposed.
• Before choosing a halfway house, make sure you understand and agree with the rules.
• Recovery residences, more commonly known as sober living homes, are dedicated to helping people re-enter society after receivingtreatment for alcohol or drug addiction.
• Make any necessary renovations or modifications to create a comfortable and supportive living environment for your residents.
• In both cases, the halfway house provides a structure for its residents.

What Are Sober Living Houses?

Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality. You should check with your insurance carrier to see what coverage they offer for a stay at a halfway home. Our homes are located in desirable, safe neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia. Each home is clean and comfortable with modern amenities that include smart TVs and Wi-Fi.

• Those who enter these environments have less exposure to triggers — something that causes a person to think about or use drugs and alcohol again.
• The location of the halfway house is an essential factor in that the living costs vary according to the region.
• This is where transitional housing, also called sober homes, 3/4 homes or halfway houses, comes into play.
• The differences between halfway houses and sober living homes depend on the specific facilities.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.