Sober Living Vs Halfway House: Similar, But Not Synonyms

This is because they are frequently owned and managed by addiction treatment centers or are in collaboration with them. The main focus of these homes is to help individuals in recovery and give them access to assistance and other resources that are beneficial to their healing process. Although they can occasionally be covered under health insurance plans, they are usually more costly when the payment is made by the patient.

Are You Looking at Sober-Living Houses? Here Are a Few Things You Should Know

If you’re looking for substance abuse treatment that will help you reclaim your future, reach out to us today. Most halfway houses operate under state supervision, so residents have a corrections officer or social worker they must report to on a regular schedule. Residents may be required to complete court-mandated community service as well. The state operated houses may also be referred to as Transitional Centers, Community Recovery Centers, or Reentry Centers.

Which Type of Recovery Housing Is Right for You?

However, most sober living homes require you follow curfew for a certain period of time before asking for these privileges. You should also expect a drug test if you are allowed out past curfew. A sober living house is a residence owned by a private organization or individual for profit. These facilities vary from low cost and low amenity accommodations to luxurious accommodations. They are also available in diverse styles, such as faith-based accommodations, 12-step accommodations, holistic residences, etc.

What is the difference between sober homes and halfway houses?

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at So, whether you’re a small or large charitable organization, you may benefit from a housing case management software that’s right for you. Halfway houses were first established in 18th century England to shelter youngsters who had committed crimes.

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

The goal is to build self-help, self-efficacy, and a sense of responsibility through this democracy system. There are situations where you’re allowed to stay out past the curfew. For example, if you have certain commitments to important areas of your life, such as school or work.

• Halfway houses offer social interaction with people who understand the challenges of sober living.
• Those who reside in a halfway house are likely to be connected with a corrections officer, social worker and additional support to set up a life so they’ll be less likely to relapse after leaving.
• Unlike halfway houses or sober living homes, drug rehab provides active, on-site treatment for substance use disorders from the earliest stages of addiction treatment.
• They first came into existence when a group of active participants in the Alcoholics Anonymous group created a “12-step” residence.

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Some are meant for people transitioning from prison life or jail, others use it for individuals with a chronic mental illness, and others are house individuals who aim towards sober living. Staying in a sober living home is less costly than getting admitted to an inpatient alcohol rehab facility. There are low-cost homes, while some let needy people stay at reduced rental prices.

Halfway Houses vs. Sober Living Homes: What’s the Difference?

• Still, the terms “sober living home” and “halfway house” are sometimes used interchangeably, depending on the area where you live.
• It can take several forms, ranging from a single room in a house to a number of or all of the units in a structure.
• A minimum stay of three months is recommended, but many benefit from a longer stay for sustained sobriety.
• Residents must demonstrate a commitment to their sobriety by exemplifying sober behaviors and abstaining from substances.
• The restrictions differ from one facility to the next, but there are a few that apply to all sober living houses.

Although such recovery facilities strengthen addicts’ motivation, most of them prefer to avoid places that can trigger a relapse. One would also like to stay somewhere close to the place of study or work to attend the house meetings and adhere to the curfew timings. The primary purpose of a sober living house is to provide an environment where clients are supported and motivated in maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. As part of our evidence-based methodologies, we provide detoxification, counseling, skills training, holistic therapies, and aftercare services. The programs are flexible and can be customized to fit your unique situation.

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, What difference between a sober house and a halfway house? 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. Although halfway houses are similar to other sober living situations, there are some key differences that set them apart.

• In most cases, people who want to stop using drugs need to spend time in rehab before moving on to a sober living facility.
• While you can work and/or go to school while living in a sober living home, you must continue to work on your recovery by attending 12-step meetings (or other recovery meetings).
• Federal prisoners are usually only approved for 12 months, but there is no limit to how long a federal prisoner may be placed in a halfway home.
• To find out more about our sober living program, contact the professionals at Riviera Recovery today.