What is a Halfway House? Benefits, Rules and Cost

Every halfway house will have its own unique rules, but these rules are relatively common among halfway homes. Instead, they serve as a safe, drug-free environment where recovering addicts can continue to work on their early sobriety. Selecting the right option for yourself or a loved one will come down to the specific treatment options you may need and the stage of addiction recovery. While both are transitional housing solutions for people in early recovery, their clientele, structure, staff, and funding differ.

Stay Informed

The admissions team will ask how long you’ve abstained from alcohol before deciding whether or not their facility is a good fit for you. Several studies have been conducted to explore the role of halfway housing in long-term addiction recovery. Avenues Recovery describes what a halfway house is like for the residents and what rules to expect. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.

• Halfway houses are usually publicly funded by treatment centers or the government and do not expect residents to cover all living expenses.
• The consequences of rule violations are usually included in the terms of the residency contract which all residents sign when moving in.
• Living in a halfway house can be a great bridge between finishing your rehab program and returning to your regular life.
• Halfway homes are managed by licensed drug counselors, therapists, and similar healthcare personnel.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health disorders, call and speak with a member of our team today.

How Long Can You Stay in a Sober-Living House?

Sober living houses, or recovery homes, are somewhat different from halfway houses. First, sober living homes are privately owned and can be run by businesses, religious groups, or private individuals, while halfway homes are government-funded. Privately funded sober living homes help residents who have recently completed inpatient treatment. They’re staffed by peer recovery specialists and house managers, who offer 24/7 support on site. Individuals battling substance abuse need an opportunity to detox as well as intense residential care in many situations.

Renewal Center for Ongoing Recovery

First and foremost, halfway houses give you time to learn and implement more social and life tools to help you maintain and lead a sober and rewarding life. Lastly, halfway houses are often owned or sponsored by the state, while most sober-living houses are owned privately or by treatment facilities that want to provide continuing support for their patients. 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 is bleak.

Sober Living

“Halfway house” can refer to different types of facilities that share some similarities. These facilities range from entirely carceral to not carceral at all (represented by the locked doors), and feature different priorities what is a halfway house and programming for the people residing in them. Their purposes can also overlap, as community based correctional facilities, for instance, house individuals at various stages in their incarceration.

Living in a halfway house presents its share of challenges, from adjusting to communal living to overcoming triggers and temptations. Many residents face stigmatization and societal barriers as they strive to rebuild their lives. However, amidst these obstacles, there are moments of triumph and growth. Whether it’s securing employment, reuniting with family, or celebrating milestones in sobriety, each achievement reinforces the resilience and determination of those on the path to recovery.

Are Halfway Houses and Sober Living Homes the Same Thing?

Sober-living homes are usually privately owned and expect residents to pay for rent and utilities just like everywhere else. No funding disruptions usually occur, provided all the residents remain current on their rent. You should check with your insurance carrier to see what coverage they offer for a stay at a halfway home. You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.

Because of this, halfway houses can be used by the homeless or people coming out of incarceration. It can be difficult for people in recovery to get the social interaction they need because some people may not accept or respect their new lifestyle. Halfway houses offer healthy social interaction with people who understand your needs and the challenges of sober living. Sobriety is an active part of everyone’s lives and is celebrated in these environments. Many halfway houses also make attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-step meetings mandatory. If you’re newly sober, have gone through detox, are willing to stay sober, and can commit to living by the house rules, you can live in a halfway house.

• This means fewer beds for those unaffiliated with the correctional system.
• The presence of supportive staff, coupled with residents who are also in a similar stage of their recovery, helps a person develop life and social skills to better cope with the reintegration into society.
• Residents of a halfway house are obliged to follow a set of rules and restrictions.

“Sober living” is a recovery-specific term, whereas “halfway houses” can also house parolees transitioning out of the criminal justice system. However, those who are transitioning out of a correctional facility will likely be required to be sober, so the purpose is similar. In some instances, rehab facilities may refer a patient to a halfway house following treatment.