What Is a Halfway House & Sober House?

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Sober living facilities got their start in the early 1800s when they were largely run by religious organizations, such as the Salvation Army. Today, sober living programs are homes run by a wide range of community organizations, and they differ from halfway houses in many ways. Some of these homes are funded by the state, while others receive private funding. The sole focus of a sober living facility is to work with those addicted to alcohol or drugs to help them transition back into an independent life, free of the grips of drug addiction. In comparison to an inpatient treatment program, halfway houses are often less structured and offer greater independence.

You will get to share a full kitchen with your housemates, enjoy a nice furnished living room, a yard, and a safe place to park your car. The deal is, you have to stay sober and work a program of recovery.

What is the difference between Sober Living and Halfway Houses?

One of the biggest hazards that people coming out of treatment face is relapse and exposure to high-risk situations. Sober living homes and halfway houses help protect people in the early stages of recovery by providing an environment of support and accountability. These facilities also usually provide access to counseling, support groups, and employment resources.

They provide aftercare for people who have completed addiction treatment. They both want to achieve full independence after demonstrating consistent sobriety. As you have read, there are fundamental differences in the terms “Halfway Houses” and “Sober Living Homes”. Basically, halfway houses are for parolees, who need to integrate into society after leaving prison. Sober living homes are for the general public, who are struggling with addiction or alcoholism and need to find a structured environment to obtain long term recovery. People often confuse the two because both are facilities used to help people ease from use disorder inpatient treatment to fully independent living. You should opt for either of these if you feel you need a little more time to stabilize before you can resume your healthy life.

Sober Living or Halfway House? What’s the Difference?

Residents have to pay monthly rent, which is usually between $450 – $800 per month. Some houses also accept payments from Medicare or private insurance companies. Living in a sober home is less expensive than being admitted to a rehab facility. Some of them offer reduced rental prices, while others are government-funded and are free. Each recovery house has certain rules that each resident must follow to continue living at the facility. Some may have very strict rules, while others allow more flexibility and freedom. Sober living homes are invaluable places for those newly in recovery.

Halfway houses do cost less than sober living homes because they typically have fewer amenities. How sober living homes and halfway houses are similar is that they provide shelter and support to those seeking help in the transitional period of their recovery. Additionally, both advocate and require residents to abstain from alcohol or substance use. The resources that either one provides are invaluable to the individual who is brave enough to start their recovery journey.

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

After completing a rehabilitation program, maintaining sobriety in the outside world can be a challenge. Sober living difference between sober house and halfway house homes, also referred to as three-fourths houses, are designed to accommodate those dealing with this challenge.

• Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family.
• Within this list, we include halfway houses and sober living homes.
• In addition, they’re required to participate in daily activities such as group therapy or AA/NA meetings.
• Transitional housing programs have traditionally been located in dedicated, building-specific environments with more shared space and less private space than permanent housing surroundings.

There may also be a limit on the amount of time a resident can stay at a halfway house. While sober living homes and halfway houses are similar in the purpose they serve, they do have several differences. For starters, halfway homes are often designated for people who are coming out of incarceration and who underwent a drug treatment program during their incarceration. Additionally, halfway houses customarily require residents to be enrolled in a treatment program or to have recently completed such a program. The main difference between a halfway house and a three-quarter house is the structure of the house.