A halfway house is a safe, sober living facility for people who have completed inpatient rehab and are transitioning back into society or those transitioning from prison to a rehab center.
To define a halfway house simply, it is for individuals halfway between full-time rehab and regular life. A halfway house is generally less structured than a rehab program but is more supportive than simply returning home after rehab.
Avenues Recovery describes what a halfway house is like for the residents and what rules to expect.
Difference Between Halfway Houses and Sober Living Homes
So what is a halfway house and is it the same as a sober living home? Though similar, sober living homes are intended exclusively for people graduating from addiction treatment programs and are usually individually owned – offering a considerable level of comfort and privacy. In contrast, Halfway Houses are usually government-owned and operated, and many of the residents are court-mandated to remain there.
What is The Purpose of a Halfway House?
The purpose of a halfway house is to help people who need some support to reintegrate into society after completing rehab. For people who do not have a supportive network, or have negative influences at home, it is worthwhile to first live at a halfway house – a safe environment where there are like-minded people who can help them grow and achieve sobriety in the real world.
How Long Can You Stay in a Halfway House?
Depending on how emotionally strong the person is when they enter drug rehab or how supportive their home environment is, people can stay at a halfway house for anywhere between a few weeks and a year. Most people do not need to live in a halfway house for more than 4 or 5 months.
Who Can Join a Halfway House?
Different halfway houses serve different needs for different people. Some halfway houses are geared toward people leaving prison, while others may be intended for people who have finished a residential addiction treatment program.
There are also halfway houses for people with mental health issues or for those who are homeless and need support getting themselves on their feet again. If you or your loved one have completed an inpatient drug rehabilitation program and are considering joining a halfway house, find out if there is any halfway housing near you for people trying to achieve sobriety.
What Is It Like Living in a Halfway House?
For people who have graduated from an intense drug rehab program, a halfway house has less structure and allows more freedom. However, you still have to adhere to several house rules. Additionally, most halfway houses require consistent participation in 12-step groups or other support groups for recovering addicts. There may also be staff members who support the recovery process, like social workers, therapists, and counselors.
Can you have a cell phone in a halfway house? Although in inpatient care, recovering addicts may not have their personal phones, halfway houses are generally more lenient. At some houses, the residents are allowed to have their phones during the day, but they must give them in at night. The reason for this is because phones can serve as a big trigger for people who are trying to focus on growth and sobriety, so it’s often more beneficial to be without them while recovering from addiction.
Can You Work While in a Halfway House?
You can continue with your regular job or schooling when in halfway housing. Some halfway houses even require the residents to be employed or committed to finding a job while living there.
Halfway House Rules
The rules at a halfway house are usually basic and enforced only to ensure you maximize your time there. Some rules are implemented to protect the other residents and make living together pleasant for everyone. Many halfway house requirements include a drug screening test before admission as they are not equipped to deal with withdrawal symptoms, so residents must complete medical detox before entering.
Common halfway house requirements include:
- No drugs or alcohol whatsoever
- All residents must remain sober throughout
- No weapons or violent behavior toward other residents or staff
- Participation in 12-step groups or other recovery support groups is mandatory
- Residents must contribute to the running of the home by doing household chores
- Curfew must be adhered to
- No destroying public property or other residents’ belongings
Residents may incur a fine or be asked to leave if they violate these halfway house rules.
Are Halfway Houses Effective?
Several studies have been conducted to explore the role of halfway housing in long-term addiction recovery.
A 2021 study sought to determine whether living in a structured sober living environment was ‘associated with greater likelihood of satisfactory discharge and longer lengths of stay in outpatient treatment.’ The results revealed that safe and supportive housing plays an important and effective role in substance abuse treatment.
Several factors contribute to the success of an individual’s stay in a halfway house, including gender, age, history of substance abuse, employment stability, and emotional and psychological state.
Who Pays For a Halfway House?
Halfway houses are often funded partly by the government, although residents must pay some rent and cover their bills, food, and toiletries. Every halfway house will have a different cost, depending on how many staff they hire, the local rent price, and how much privacy is afforded the residents (i.e., if rooms are shared with just two or three people or many more). Some halfway houses set a fixed price for rent, and others bill a certain percentage of the resident’s income.
Consider Joining a Halfway House on Your Recovery Journey
Addiction recovery doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. In an inpatient rehab program, you will discover that many people are traveling down the same road as you, and you can support each other. People who are addicted to drugs will know that no one, no matter how understanding and empathetic, can understand them as well as other recovering addicts and mental health professionals can.
Now that you know what a halfway house is, it can help you decide what to do when completing a reputable drug program. For many people, it may be worthwhile to transition back to society slowly, through halfway housing.
If you or your loved one are suffering from substance abuse or addiction, know that there is help. Our dedicated and professional team at Avenues Recovery Center have helped thousands of people overcome their addictions, and they can help you, too! We use various therapies and personalized treatment plans to facilitate optimal success. If you're serious about addiction recovery, reach out to Avenues Recovery today so that we can introduce you to recovery that works. Let’s begin your journey to sobriety together.