Who Benefits from Halfway and Sober Housing?

For those who’ve completed treatment, the challenge of sober living looms. Should you return home? Is your old house a healthy, sober environment? The lack of a safe, secure environment can derail a person’s sobriety, no matter how motivated they are. Sober living homes and halfway houses are drug- and alcohol-free living environments for people who have completed drug and alcohol rehabilitation and want to live in a supportive environment. These houses help residents abstain from using drugs and alcohol so they can continue sober living.

The Difference Between Sober Living Homes and Halfway Houses

The terms sober housing and halfway house are often used interchangeably. While the two are similar in many ways, they are not the same thing.

Halfway houses are typically designated for people who are coming out of incarceration and have undergone a drug treatment program. Other types of halfway houses are for people living with mental illness. Halfway houses often require residents to enroll in a treatment program or have recently completed a rehabilitation program while incarcerated. There is sometimes a limit to the amount of time a resident can live at a halfway house.

Sober living homes are for people who have completed inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation and are looking for continued support to stay sober. Unlike halfway houses, sober living homes typically do not require that residents have been incarcerated. Many sober living homes do not require that residents be enrolled in treatment programs while living in the home. Occasionally, sober living homes may require a resident to have a sponsor, attend meetings and counseling, and sleep at the house for a minimum number of nights per week. Sober living homes generally do not have a maximum number of days that a person can live in the home. This is largely in part because residents of sober living homes cover the cost of living themselves. Most sober living houses emphasize the use of 12-step group attendance and peer support.

What is the Cost of a Sober Living Facility?

The cost of living in a sober living home or halfway house varies, depending on where the home is located. For example, you will pay a lot more for a sober living home in Southern California than you would in rural Utah.

Sober living houses are generally not licensed or funded by the government. Rather, residents themselves pay for living expenses, including monthly rent. However, most sober living homes do not require first and last month’s rent for a deposit like a typical apartment would. Sober living residents must provide their own groceries, medications, and most have at least a part-time job.

Halfway houses may be s. This is because they serve people who have completed incarceration or are completing sentencing requirements. Incarcerated or recently released individuals must pay a halfway house fee that is generally equal to 25% of the person’s gross income. People living in halfway houses are responsible for paying for their own expenses, like groceries and healthcare.

Who Should Live in a Halfway House or Sober Living Housing?

Sober living homes and halfway houses are a wonderful option for those seeking a substance-free environment. Both sober living homes and halfway houses can be incredibly helpful for people who have recently completed inpatient treatment, attended an outpatient program, or have recently ended their incarceration and need support to continue living sober. Studies show that both homes help reduce the triggers for relapse, provide peer support, and help hold residents accountable for their choices and actions in order to help them live their best lives, sober.