Differences in Sober Living Homes, Rehabs, & Halfway Houses

You assume more responsibilities in caring for yourself and being mindful of the people around you. Prisons and mental health facilities often impose strict ground rules on what inmates or patients can do. But in a halfway house, you get more freedom in your movement and time. Learning to live independently once again is one of the key roles of halfway houses. Through NARR, recovery residences are now categorized under different levels based on the type as well as the duration and intensity of support that they offer. The level titles and descriptions are designed to be simple, descriptive, and intuitive.

Neither this site nor anyone who answers the call receives a commission or fee dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose. Sober-living houses are often funded by the people living there, so a lack of funding is likely not much of an issue. They can be for those dealing with homelessness, former prisoners on parole, or those suffering from psychiatric issues. The cost of staying in a sober-living home depends on the location and amenities but most homes try to keep it moderately priced so everyone can afford to stay there.

Length of Stay at Sober Living Homes

Unlike in a sober living home, halfway house residents are not under constant professional treatment but can partake in outpatient treatment or support groups. Sober living houses, like halfway houses, maintain a strict abstinence policy which may be enforced with drug testing. Additionally, a sober living home may offer resources like career support, housing assistance and so forth, but each sober living home will differ in its requirements. Halfway houses have rules to enforce the sober environment of the home. A strict abstinence policy is central to the policies of all halfway houses. Residents are expected to participate in rehabilitative programs and to complete all court-mandated requirements, such as community service.

Generally, both houses cater to people with substance use or mental problems that have improved. However, halfway houses cater more to ex-convicts, while sober living homes are perfect for drug or alcohol addicts. The residential facility is typically part of the continuum of care for an overseeing rehab institution. All types of residences and occupancy numbers can be found at this level, depending on the program. Average stays vary from several weeks to several months, depending on the acuity of the individual. Emphasis is placed on equipping the individual for the next phase of recovery, be that another residential level, or independent living.

Sober Living Homes Affiliated with a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

How long you stay depends on the sober-living facility and your progress in recovery. Some sober-living facilities are only offered for as long as you are in the treatment program. For others, you https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/the-importance-of-gratitude-in-recovery/ can remain in a sober-living environment after treatment is completed. Although halfway houses share a lot in common with sober-living homes, there are a few key differences that set them apart.

• Most often, these individuals are returning to society after time spent serving a sentence for a drug or alcohol-related crime.
• Other halfway houses serve as the halfway point for convicted criminals to reintegrate into society but also have strict monitoring services.
• Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family.
• Transitional housing programs have traditionally been located in dedicated, building-specific environments with more shared space and less private space than permanent housing surroundings.
• Insurance coverage and other financial support are sometimes available to help with the cost.

A halfway house is a good option if returning to normal life is too overwhelming, but you no longer need medical supervision. It allows you to live in a safe, substance-free environment while readjusting to life outside treatment. Length of stay in a halfway house typically depends on the facility policies. You will be court-ordered to stay for a specific time in many cases. One of the most important things you must have in your early days of recovery is a safe place to live – one that supports your decision to stay clean.

Insurance Providers

Ultimately, the best choice aligns with your circumstances and recovery goals. Most halfway houses don’t have any restrictions on who can live there, but most people who live in a sober living home have already completed a treatment program. This is primarily due to the fact that halfway houses demand you to stay sober while you are residing there. Some facilities provide residents sober living vs halfway house with a lot of structure and assistance in order to help them stay on track with their recovery, while others are less structured. Another reason you may decide to move into a sober living home is as an alternative to going to residential treatment. Many people in sober living homes attend intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) or receive other outpatient addiction services.

• As a result, those who have previously achieved some level of sobriety are more likely to succeed in a halfway home than those who are just starting out in recovery.
• Beginning in the 1830s, religious organizations began to build “dry” hotels where guests were compelled to abstain from using alcohol.
• For those that may not need as much structure, sober living homes may be the best option for you.
• These recovery residences are commonly known as sober homes and are most often found in single-family residences.
• All of the benefits of halfway houses also apply to sober living homes.

Length of stay varies and is open-ended, generally from 90 days to several years. NARR has emerged as the unifying entity long needed in a field that lacked professionalization and standards for residential programs. Design for Change is located in beautiful Lancaster, California where you can enjoy a welcoming environment while undergoing treatment. Contact us by phone, email, or online and let us help you get started on a happier, healthier lifestyle.

What’s the longest you can stay at a halfway house?

Some sober living homes may allow residents to pay a specific percentage of their income each month. Other sober living homes are a privately-owned house where a collective of the residents run the house together. Similar to an Oxford House, these sober living homes also have a strict set of rules and often have blackout periods and strict rules about employment and paying rent. While many of these rules seem like they are normal rules of life, they are sometimes things that we must relearn in our recovery process. In a halfway home you should be prepared to be supervised at times and to have to adhere to rules of the house. If you are court ordered to a halfway house, you will also have to meet all of your probation requirements while also adhering to the halfway house rules.