The Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway Houses

This continuation of support, motivation, and, in some cases, therapy will significantly enhance their chance of long-term sobriety. While sober living houses have research touting their efficacy, it is also important to remember that they are still environments where you are living with others and the focus is on staying sober. Halfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured. Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks. Other times, they function as a more intensive residential facility, meaning that there is consistent recovery programming, requirements, and staff present in the house.

Is sober living right for you?

This level of care is higher, though not formally the same thing as an intensive inpatient treatment program. People who are working through recovery often enter residential programs for intensive care. However, walking back into the same life — the same home, surrounded by the same people and often in the same high-risk environment — is never ideal.

Renewal Center for Ongoing Recovery

A less-than-desirable environment exposes someone in recovery to the potential triggers that can lead to relapse. A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs by the Alcohol Research Group Public Health Institute showcased the importance of social and environmental factors in recovery. Sober living homes also have a house manager on site throughout the day/week to provide peer support and additional guidance as needed. Most sober living homes do not offer formal addiction treatment but utilize programs in the broader community. Some sober houses provide forms of peer-led counseling or promotion of 12-step programs as favored by organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

LGBTQ+ Sober Living

A great way to find a sober living house in your area is first to explore your network. Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended could be helpful. They first came into existence when sober house vs rehab a group of active participants in the Alcoholics Anonymous group created a “12-step” residence. This was a home, typically placed in low-income housing, that enforced policies around sobriety and required attendance to AA meetings.

What to Look for When Choosing a Sober Living Home

• However, not all sober living houses accept people taking controlled substance medications, even methadone, buprenorphine, and other approved medications for a substance use disorder.
• A halfway house, sober living home, home for older homeless youth, and foster home are all examples of a transitional living house.
• Sober living is just like it sounds, a place to stay where you’ll have a supportive community and can start your new life free from alcohol or other drugs.
• Addiction treatment begins in the mind, but there are treatment facilities that specialize in helping people tackle addiction in a way that best suits their needs and circumstances.
• We are also able to connect you with sober living houses and outpatient programs in your area for continued support as you transition back into the real world.

Those who lack a stable, drug-free and alcohol-free living environment are at high risk of relapsing. People who live in sober homes report that they are non-judgmental and safe spaces where they can focus on their continued recovery. As the others in the house are in the same situation, they can be authentic without having to explain their addiction or recovery needs.

What is a Sober Living Home?

The goal is to transition to an independent lifestyle, free of substance abuse and addiction. While completing a substance abuse rehab program before moving in may not be required, it can help individuals to stay sober. However, if residents are willing to remain sober, follow all house rules, and guarantee medical stability, they should feel free to apply. It also provides a therapeutic space where you can get support from peers who are also recovering from substance abuse.

• Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles.
• A sober home is one option to consider if you’re looking for a supportive after-treatment environment.
• Living with peers in recovery offers ongoing emotional & social support.
• When in active addiction, we tend to ignore the things that make us successful.
• Sober living homes, also known as sober houses, are transitional living spaces for people who want to maintain sobriety.

Rehabilitation centers are often equipped to support individuals through or shortly after their detoxification (detox) phase. These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing from addiction. They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society. The cost varies by the type of sober-living environment and length of stay.

Recovery House vs. Sober Livings vs. Halfway House

Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles. Our primary purpose is to foster long-term sobriety through the cultivation of accountability, camaraderie, & character development. We host nightly „family“ dinners, weekly meetings, and regular outings to create an environment https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that promotes cohesive unity. The brotherhood between house members empowers everyone to walk through tribulations with much-needed support, and to meet our high standards. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Get you or your loved one help for addiction or mental health issues today.

• Sober living homes on the other hand are meant only for those who recently completed drug rehab and commit to living without the use of drugs or alcohol.
• Lastly, halfway houses are often owned or sponsored by the state, while most sober-living houses are owned privately or by treatment facilities that want to provide continuing support for their patients.
• However, if you have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis for which you need formal treatment (such as therapy) or case management, you will likely have to arrange for it outside the sober home.
• Can I apply for a sober home if I have a mental health condition in addition to my substance use disorder?
• The point of sober living is to emulate normal life but without drugs, and sometimes that’s just what people need in order to get better and move on with their lives.

Benefits of Sober Living

Halfway houses are often sponsored by the state and a sober living facility is usually privately owned or by addiction treatment centers that want continued support for their patient. After completing a rehabilitation program, maintaining sobriety in the outside world can be a challenge. Sober living homes, also referred to as three-fourths houses, are designed to accommodate those dealing with this challenge. They provide a supportive, safe space where people can live free of addiction with others who share the same goal. Both require residents to maintain drug free status, both provide a safe place to live, but they are much different in terms of the level of monitoring and treatment that is provided.

Receiving additional support in the early days post-treatment can significantly enhance the chance of achieving long-term sobriety. This is particularly related to the peer support and solidarity offered at a sober living home where all residents are on the recovery journey together. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states, peer support programs during and following treatment can help maintain abstinence. The phase one consists of a highly structured 6-month program that can essentially act as an affordable drug rehab alternative.