A sober living facility is managed and supervised 24/7 by someone who does not live in the house – maybe a licensed chemical dependency counselor. Quite often, a sober living facility is an extension of rehabilitation. Many people who stay here are attending Intensive Outpatient Services (5-Day IOP) and continuing to receive addiction treatment services. Although those who reside in sober living facilities are free to come and go, they are required to follow house rules, complete house chores, and live by a strict curfew.
Because halfway houses are considered community-based correctional facilities, sanctions can be enforced, according to the National Institute of Justice. In some cases, offenders who break the rules can be returned to jail or prison. The purpose of a sober home is to offer recovery support in between inpatient rehab and returning home. Sober living homes commonly rely on the social support of living with like-minded peers as inspiration and comradery during recovery. In fact, some sober living homes use peer-led programming and focus on mutual accountability, while others have staff members who lead programming. Like sober living homes, residents are typically expected to contribute to household chores, such as cleaning and making meals.
Oxford Houses Offer a Safe, Stable Place to Stay for Recovering Addicts and Alcoholics
Many of these sober dorms offer 12-step meetings, peer support, and mentorship programs that help students stay on track. The idea of sober living on college campuses is to help students maintain their recovery while they keep up their studies. If you have a strong desire to go to college, but you’re early in sobriety, you may strongly consider looking into an educational institution that offers sober living. Being in a supportive recovery environment in college can make all the difference to your academic success and your continued sobriety.
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. There may also be a limit on the amount of time a resident can stay at a halfway house. Many detox from this powerful drug in a rehabilitation facility and decide they need to go into a sober living community for the first few months. Trying to stay clean from powerful prescription medications those first few months is quite the challenge.
What are the Key Rules of Living in Halfway Houses vs Sober Living Homes?
Judges and prosecutors often require some ex-criminal offenders to stay in a halfway house instead of prison time to help them reintegrate into society. Sober-living facilities are positive places where those who recently finished inpatient rehabilitation treatment, attended an outpatient program or left jail can reside with continued support. Individuals who live in these facilities are held accountable and are not tempted to use drugs or alcohol by their housemates.
Historically, a halfway house is a sanctuary for people with emotional, mental and physical disabilities. It is also a place where people with a criminal history can find support. While many of the rules in both a sober living home and a halfway house are the same, such as maintained sobriety, some rules are unique and specific to each type of facility. Monitored homes can be like regular run single-family homes or apartments run by a senior resident or house manager. The difference is that monitored homes have a paid clinical position. Residents must undergo drug screenings and house meetings like peer-run groups and adhere to house rules.
Family and Children’s Programs
While living on the streets, people with these and other health concerns frequently find themselves in crisis circumstances, and emergency rooms may be their sole source of healthcare. Those living in sober living homes will go to work, go to their therapy and doctor’s appointments, and get themselves acclimated to their new, sober world. Sober living homes offer a unique set of regulations aimed specifically at fostering sober house vs halfway house personal growth during the recovery process. Residents know that any substance abuse will be detected, which is a deterrent. Furthermore, these tests provide a clear indication of a resident’s commitment to their recovery journey. One year is the recommended length of stay because research has shown the more time you are away from your triggers and living in recovery, the better your chance of remaining sober.
- Rules, like curfew and attending group meetings, are also set in place to help the residents practice responsibility and accountability.
- They will stay there for three to nine months after they get out of treatment.
- It is important for residents to understand that financial responsibility is a part of maintaining their sobriety and is an essential part of their recovery journey.
- Residents at sober living facilities must adhere to a set of rules and regulations.
- Sober living homes promote recovery and healing through relapse prevention.
Sober living houses allow residents to gradually adjust to independent living while still benefiting from a supportive community. This flexibility helps individuals regain control of their lives at their own pace, allowing them to get re-acclimated to living out in the real world in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. Some halfway houses are dedicated to help people who have completed addiction treatment. The terms “halfway houses” and “sober living houses” are often used to refer to living arrangements for those completing treatment. Even though these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. There are specific differences that distinguish sober living houses and halfway houses.