Is There a Difference Between a Sober House and a Halfway House?

Research has shown that individuals who spend more time engaged in the recovery process generally stay sober longer. For individuals who are currently experiencing severe crises surrounding their substance use disorders, residential treatment programs are usually the best course of action after attending medical detox. While these programs are extremely helpful early on, they generally only last a few weeks to several months, and it is crucial to understand that they do not “cure” addiction. Since sober living typically follows addiction treatment, getting a referral from the treatment provider is recommended. Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family.

• Many of these former inmates are also in recovery from substance addiction.
• Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family.

There are a few of them that offer some therapeutic treatment and support, but in most cases, it is not available. However, they offer group meetings promoting https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-pills-what-are-the-effects-of-mixing/ sober living and reinforcing recovery. SLHs have their origins in the state of California and most continue to be located there (Polcin & Henderson, 2008).

Assessing the Impact of the Community Context

Some sober living communities in California may also offer specialized programs for those with co-occurring mental health disorders or other unique needs. Sober living homes may be certified by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, which has developed four levels of sober living residences. Those at one end of the spectrum offer the lowest level of in-house services and staffing, whereas those on the higher end provide several different clinical services and employ professional staff in the home.

Residential programs are sometimes referred to as inpatient programs because they involve living inside treatment facilities full-time. Often considered the most intensive form of formal addiction treatment, inpatient treatment programs are able to provide care on a 24/7 basis. Sober house, recovery house, sober living house – three names, one basic idea. Different areas use different terminology, but all three describe a sober living environment where residents can expect to share a home with like minded individuals in recovery, free from drugs and alcohol.

Strategies to Succeed In Long-Term Recovery

They also have expectations for residents to obtain employment within a certain amount of time to help increase their involvement in healthy lifestyle choices. Thorough planning and preparation for this time period make a big difference in achieving a smooth and successful transition back to life out of rehab. The location where a person chooses to live during their recovery process is incredibly important. Halfway houses and recovery houses are both viable options for your aftercare time, but there are some major differences to be aware of before you make a decision. For some drivers convicted of DUI, entering a sober living environment is the start of turning their lives around. For others it’s an unnecessary and excessive step, a form of punishment.

This 24/7 support is conducive to adjusting to a new way of life and providing a safe community for those in early recovery. Design for Recovery provides structured sober living in Los Angeles, California. To have the best chance for effectively recovering from addiction or substance abuse and remaining sober long-term, individuals should look for drug-free, stable housing that will support their recovery. In a recovery housing model, residents offer and receive support from their peers and leaders in their community.

When to Move Into a Sober Living House in Arkansas

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. While halfway houses are licensed by the state and staffed by the provider, sober homes are typically privately owned. They are regulated differently and are overseen by a “house manager” who is also a resident in recovery. Those who feel they need long-term accountability and community support can benefit from sober living homes.

• For many people who are reintegrating after time in prison or jail, the first days, weeks and months in mainstream society can be overburdened with triggers.
• Sober living homes are facilities that provide drug-free environments where persons in recovery can live and transition from rehab to independent living.
• In addition to these rules, people who live in these types of houses usually have to work or go to school during the day and must contribute to the home by doing chores.

Chris Carberg is a visionary digital entrepreneur, the founder of AddictionHelp.com, and a long-time recovering addict from prescription opioids, sedatives, and alcohol. Over the past 15 years, Chris has worked as a tireless advocate for addicts and their loved ones while becoming a sought-after digital entrepreneur. Chris is a storyteller and aims to share his story with others in the hopes of helping sober house vs rehab them achieve their own recovery. New residents use this phase to fully settle into the daily routine at the home, exercise, and attend therapy sessions. Indeed, stress can be avoided, but there are some stressors that you must learn to handle without resorting to drugs. So as you work to reduce stress to the barest minimum, learn and practice alternative coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.

The transition from some chemicals can be very hard on your body and mind, involving a period of “withdrawal” as your body detoxifies. It is not meant for long term living; when the person is detoxified, they move on. 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. Back then, halfway houses were housing facilities for children that had committed crimes.