Difference Between Sober House and Halfway House
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The continuum of care when it comes to addiction treatment doesn’t just end when addiction treatment ends. There are still measures that people in recovery from substance addiction need to take to make sure that they can maintain their sobriety long-term. For example, some people need active help transitioning back into the real world after completing their addiction treatment programs.
One way to receive such help is by staying in a sober living home or halfway house post-treatment. To know whether or not staying in a sober living home or halfway house post-treatment is right for you, you must first understand the difference between sober house and halfway house is.
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What is a Halfway House?
A halfway house is a housing facility for individuals that have just left prison or jail. Many of these individuals are also in recovery from addiction. Thus, a halfway house is meant to help former inmates that are potentially in recovery from substance addiction transition back into regular society.
Halfway houses first became a thing in England in the 18th century. Back then, halfway houses were housing facilities for children that had committed crimes. Over time, the United States adopted the English idea of halfway housing. The halfway houses in the U.S. host individuals that have just been released from prison.
Today, most halfway houses host former inmates in order to help them transition back into regular society. Many of these former inmates are also in recovery from substance addiction.
There are also some halfway houses that are strictly for people that are new in recovery from substance addiction. Oftentimes though, the people that stay in halfway houses are court-ordered to live there for a designated period of time.
What is a Sober Living Home?
A sober living home is an apartment-style housing facility. People that are new to substance addiction recovery live in sober living homes to help them transition back into regular society post-rehab.
Sober living homes first began in the 1830s. Back then, sober living homes acted as “dry” hotels that didn’t allow their residents to consume alcohol. Now, sober living homes are housing facilities. These housing facilities are made just for people that are new to recovery from alcohol or drug addiction.
One thing that makes sober living homes so beneficial for individuals that are new to addiction recovery to stay in is that they tend to offer substance abuse treatment and therapy services for any resident that needs them. Thus, sober living homes provide their residents with the support and structure that they need to maintain their sobriety. Sober living homes also give their residents the freedom to function in society as regular people and tend to their normal life responsibilities when not at home.
Outpatient treatment programs also allow their patients to tend to their normal life responsibilities. They don’t though remove the temptations to relapse from the homes of the patients. This makes it much harder for individuals in outpatient treatment to maintain long-term sobriety after rehab.
Benefits of Halfway Houses
There are many benefits to living in a halfway house after completing a sentence in prison or jail. One of these benefits is that halfway houses provide former inmates with the support and resources that they need to get their lives back on track. For example, halfway houses often provide former inmates that are new to recovery with assistance when it comes to applying to and looking for jobs. This is huge as most inmates heavily struggle with getting jobs after completing their sentences.
Many individuals that have been living in prisons or jails for extended periods of time also don’t have anywhere to live. As a result, halfway houses provide such individuals that are newly released from prison or jail with safe places to live.
Halfway houses also help keep individuals that are newly released from prison or jail from getting in trouble. This is because halfway houses provide former inmates with places to live in housing communities that are filled with other people that are trying to better themselves after leaving prison or jail. Halfway houses also help former inmates stay out of trouble by providing them with structure in their lives.
Some activities that halfway house residents must complete while there, such as making amends with people in their lives that they allowed their substance use habits or unlawful decisions to negatively affect, are also beneficial. This is because such activities help former inmates repair the relationships that they had before they were arrested. Now let’s compare the benefits of a halfway house vs. sober living home.
Benefits of Sober Living
There are various benefits of sober living. One major benefit of staying in a sober living home is that it too helps its residents gain the skills and resources that they need to be able to maintain sobriety long-term. For example, it’s very common for sober living homes to offer their residents assistance with applying to and interviewing for jobs. Some sober living homes even offer their residents transportation services to commute them to and from their job interviews.
Sober living homes also make it a point to offer their residents addiction therapy services. This is definitely a benefit. This is because such services help sober living residents learn how to manage their addiction triggers while in the real world.
All of the individuals that live in a sober living facility are new to addiction recovery. Thus, it’s usually a requirement within sober living homes for residents to abstain from alcohol or drugs while living there. This helps sober living home residents get a break from the temptations to abuse substances that they must constantly face while functioning in society.
Similarity Between Sober House and Halfway House
There are several similarities between halfway houses and sober living homes. One of these similarities is the possibility for such housing facilities to host individuals that are new to recovery from substance addiction, regardless of whether those individuals are also former inmates or not.
Another similarity between halfway houses and sober living homes is that they both help individuals transition from one state of living back into regular society. Both halfway houses and sober living homes also help individuals gather skills and resources. These skills and resources help individuals transition smoothly back into regular society.
Difference Between Sober House and Halfway House
One difference between sober house and halfway house is that halfway houses host individuals that have just been released from prison or jail that also likely are in recovery from substance addictions. Sober houses on the other hand only host individuals that are newly recovered from substance addictions. Thus, sober living homes do not house former inmates.
Another difference between sober house and halfway house is that many people that enter halfway houses are required to receive addiction treatment while living there. Sober houses, on the other hand, don’t require their residents to receive addiction treatment since they’ve already recently completed rehab. Instead, sober living homes offer their patients additional addiction therapy services. Sober living homes also provide their residents with 12 step meetings, regular house meetings, and addiction recovery sponsors.
Another benefit of attending a sober house is that sober houses don’t specify the amount of time that their patients can reside there. This is different from halfway houses which often court-order their residents to live there for designated amounts of time. Instead, sober living homes require their residents to agree to other certain conditions prior to living there. One of these conditions is not bringing any alcohol or drugs into the sober living facilities.
Such an agreement keeps sober living home residents clean and sober. This is despite encountering addiction triggers in the real world. Such an agreement also helps sober living home residents practice abstaining from substances while functioning in the real world.
Receive Sober Living at Live Free Recovery
Live Free Recovery specializes in sober living. In fact, it’s the mission of Live Free Recovery Services and structured sober living homes in New Hampshire to help men and women recover from chronic alcohol and drug addiction. Therefore, you can not only receive high-quality, evidence-based inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment here at Live Free Recovery, but you also can live in a top-notch Live Free sober living home once your treatment is over.
Live Free Recovery and Sober Living has numerous locations throughout beautiful New Hampshire. The amount of care that people in recovery receive when entering a Live Free Recovery and Sober Living Home is truly a step above what people usually encounter when entering a sober living facility, especially a sober living facility in New Hampshire.
To learn more about Live Free Recovery and our Structured Sober Living Homes, contact us today! You won’t regret it.
FAQ
What is a Sober Living House?
A Sober Living House, also known as a sober home or a halfway house, is a type of transitional living facility for individuals recovering from substance abuse or addiction. These houses provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment for residents to continue their recovery journey after completing a rehabilitation program or while participating in outpatient treatment.
Sober living houses typically have a set of rules and guidelines that residents must follow to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free environment. This includes participating in regular house meetings, submitting to random drug tests, and maintaining personal responsibilities such as chores and employment. The primary goal of a sober living house is to provide a supportive community where residents can work on developing coping skills, rebuilding relationships, and establishing healthy habits and routines that support long-term sobriety.
It’s important to note that sober living houses are not treatment centers, and they do not provide clinical services or therapy. However, many sober living homes encourage residents to attend support group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and to continue working with therapists or counselors as needed.What is a halfway house?
A halfway house, also known as a sober living home or transition house, is a type of residential community that provides a supportive and structured living environment for individuals who are in recovery from addiction or other behavioral health problems. Halfway houses are designed to help people make the transition from inpatient treatment or incarceration back to independent living in the community.
Residents of a halfway house typically live in shared housing arrangements and are expected to follow rules and attend meetings or therapy sessions. They are also expected to work, attend school, or engage in other productive activities. The goal of a halfway house is to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals as they work to maintain their sobriety and develop the skills and confidence needed to live successfully on their own.
Halfway houses can play an important role in the recovery process by providing a structured and supportive environment for individuals as they work to establish a stable and healthy lifestyle.Who pays for sober living homes?
The cost of a sober living home is typically the responsibility of the individual or their family. Some sober living homes may accept insurance or Medicaid, but this varies depending on the facility and the individual’s specific policy.
In some cases, individuals may be able to use their health insurance to cover the cost of a sober living home, but this depends on the type of insurance policy they have and the specific services covered. For those without insurance, sober living homes may offer a sliding scale fee based on the individual’s income, or they may work with community organizations to provide financial assistance.
It’s also worth noting that some sober living homes may offer scholarships or other forms of financial aid to help individuals who are struggling to afford the cost of the program.
Overall, the cost of a sober living home can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location, size of the facility, and the services provided. It’s always a good idea to speak with the sober living home directly to get a better understanding of the cost and any available payment options.Are sober living homes covered by insurance?
The coverage of sober living homes by insurance can vary depending on the type of insurance policy and the specific services provided by the sober living home.
In some cases, health insurance may cover the cost of a sober living home as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for substance use disorder. This typically requires a prior authorization from the insurance company and may only be covered for a limited time.
It’s important to check with the individual’s insurance provider to see if sober living homes are covered under their specific policy, as well as the specific terms and conditions of that coverage. Some insurance providers may require a referral from a primary care physician or a mental health professional, and there may be limits on the length of stay or the specific services covered.
In cases where insurance does not cover the cost of a sober living home, many sober living homes offer a sliding scale fee based on the individual’s income, or they may work with community organizations to provide financial assistance. It’s always a good idea to speak with the sober living home directly to get a better understanding of the cost and any available payment options.What’s the difference between a halfway house and a sober house?
Sober Living vs Halfway House
The terms “halfway house” and “sober house” are often used interchangeably to refer to a type of residential community that provides a supportive and structured living environment for individuals in recovery from addiction or other behavioral health problems.
A halfway house is typically defined as a facility that provides a supportive and structured living environment for individuals who are in the process of reintegrating into society after a period of treatment or incarceration. The focus is on helping residents develop the skills and confidence needed to live successfully on their own.
A sober house, on the other hand, is a type of recovery residence that provides a drug- and alcohol-free living environment for individuals who are in early recovery from addiction. The focus is on helping residents maintain their sobriety and develop healthy lifestyle habits.
Both halfway houses and sober houses offer a supportive and structured living environment for individuals in recovery, but the specific focus and services provided may vary depending on the facility. It’s always a good idea to research and compare different options to determine which type of facility is the best fit for an individual’s specific needs and goals.
Published on: 2021-12-12
Updated on: 2024-12-05
Category: Sober Living