What is a Halfway House?
You have completed medical detox and an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. It’s now time to move on to the next stage of your recovery. While going home may seem like a relief after so much time in treatment, for some people, the thought is overwhelming–especially if you’re in a triggering environment or don’t have a strong support system at home.
A halfway house is an option for those who are committed to living sober but don’t want to give up their home life. Halfway houses offer support for those in recovery who want to live a normal life and not be dependent on their addiction.
- Halfway houses provide transitional living for those who have suffered from addiction to drugs or alcohol
- Residents may be required to submit to drug screenings or breathalyzer tests at a halfway house
- It is important to keep sober when living in a halfway home
- Halfway houses allow for more freedom than inpatient programs
What Are Halfway Houses Used For?
A halfway house is also known as a “Sober Living Home” in certain states. It provides transitional living for people in recovery from alcohol or drugs. While some people choose to live in a halfway house after they have left a long term addiction treatment center or prison, others prefer to live in sober surroundings as they start their journey to recovery. Sometimes, halfway houses are required by court orders.
Because they are not equipped to handle withdrawal symptoms or delusions, some halfway houses require residents to undergo a drug screening and/or breathalyzer tests. Halfway houses are for those who have successfully completed a outpatient or inpatient treatment program.
There are many options for how long you will stay in a halfway house, but the majority of stays last between three and twelve months. This allows you to get back on track, find a job and feel confident in your sobriety.
Who can live in a Halfway House?
Although most halfway houses do not restrict who can live there they will require that the majority of those who choose to live there have completed a treatment program before moving on to sober living. This is due to the fact halfway houses require that you remain sober throughout your stay there. People who have been sober for some time are more likely than others to succeed in a halfway house.
However, this is not a requirement. You can live in a halfway-house if you are newly sober, have completed detox and are ready to follow the house rules.
What to Expect from a Halfway House
Halfway houses tend to be less structured and offer more freedom than an inpatient program. They offer more support and structure than what you get at home. While you can work or attend school in a sober living facility, you still need to make an effort to recover by attending 12-step meetings (or any other recovery meetings).
Halfway House Guidelines and Rules
Although rules vary from one facility to the next, there are some common principles that can be found in all sober living homes. These terms are required to be signed when you move into a halfway home. Violations can result in fines, making amends, or even removal from the facility.
These are some common guidelines and rules for halfway houses:
- You must stay sober. You are prohibited from using drugs or alcohol and will be subject to random drug testing.
- Doing chores is a way to contribute to the home.
- There should be no fighting or violence towards other residents.
- It is forbidden to steal or destroy the property of another resident.
- A curfew must be observed.
- You must attend 12-step meetings or any other recovery meetings.
- If you do not have a job, you may need to interview for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Structured Halfway House?
Structured Halfway Houses provide more intensive peer support programs that traditional Halfway Houses. Residents are supported by staff and house managers to develop new skills and coping strategies that will help prevent relapse. Because they offer more structure and order in the lives of residents, structured Halfway Houses are so named. Structured Halfway Houses provide more support and individual attention for those recovering from substance abuse disorders. They are safe, secure, and non-trigger-free spaces that can be used as recovery tools.
Structured Halfway houses recognize that long-term sobriety requires more than physical abstinence. Residents who live in a Halfway House are not only able to keep sober but also learn new values such as honesty, responsibility, and integrity. Residents can rebuild their lives by living in a structured Halfway House. They often receive guidance regarding employment, school, conflict resolution, and other areas. Structured Halfway Houses are similar to other Halfway Houses and can be used as a bridge between treatment centers and independent living. However, they can also serve as an effective first line option for recovery from addiction.
Can I Have a Job and Vehicle at a Halfway House?
The rules regarding vehicles and jobs vary depending on which Halfway House they are. Halfway Houses are often visited by residents at different stages of their sobriety. Some Halfway Houses may require that the resident wait a while before they allow them to resume work.
Halfway Houses encourages reentry to the workplace, and some even offer resume and employment support services. The rules regarding vehicles vary from Halfway House to Halfway House. Halfway Houses permit residents to drive a car, but some areas consider it a privilege that may be removed if certain rules are not followed.
At Otter House Recovery, we provide transportation and allow our residents to have vehicles.
How Long Is a Normal Stay at a Halfway House?
The length of stay at a Halfway House is from 30-60 days up to one year, depending on the individual’s needs. Halfway Houses help individuals build a solid foundation for recovery and transition to an independent lifestyle after treatment. This is dependent on the behavior, attitude, sobriety and other characteristics of each individual.
The length of stay in Halfway Houses can vary greatly from one person to the next. People who have suffered severe addictions will often need to put in a lot of effort to achieve long-term sobriety. It is not enough to stop using drugs and alcohol for just a few days. Most people who have “quit” drugs or alcohol can confirm this!
Halfway Houses offer flexible programs that allow individuals to stay as long as they want. Halfway Houses are different from other addiction resources centers in that they focus on long-term recovery and not just short-term solutions. A Halfway House is a great place to stay for a long time. Research shows that people who stay in a formal recovery program longer are less likely have relapses in the long-term.
Halfway Houses encourage residents to stay on a long term basis so they can rebuild their lives. Halfway Houses understand that sobriety requires more than abstaining from alcohol and drugs. It is essential to live a sober life that people won’t let go of.
Halfway House residents can build sober support networks that will last a lifetime. Residents work with their counselors to resolve interpersonal conflicts and find new ways to cope with difficult situations. They also aim to achieve new academic and career goals so they are able to stand on their own feet when they graduate. This takes time.
What Are the Benefits of Entering a Halfway House?
Halfway houses can help patients stay abstinent after inpatient treatment. It offers social support to individuals who have similar goals. It provides a structured and safe environment that prepares individuals for the real world. Halfway Houses residents enjoy the following benefits:
- Support and guidance that is constant
- A strong sober social support system
- Improved life skills
- Transition to independent living is easier
- Reduced risk of relapse
- Recovery in a safe and trigger-free environment
- Find employment
- Better relationships with family and friends
