What is a Halfway House?
A halfway house is a residence where people can stay after they complete a residential or inpatient treatment program or continue outpatient services. Halfway houses provide a transitional living environment for those who aren’t yet able to remain abstinent from drugs or alcohol on their own. They can also serve as a temporary residence while people in recovery take time to find employment and become financially stable before finding their own housing.
Halfway houses typically have admittance rules. Often, people who can stay in these homes must have previously completed treatment or be engaged in some type of formal treatment program. People living in halfway houses typically must agree to submit to random drug testing, attend recovery meetings, complete household chores, abide by a curfew, and refrain from violations of other household members’ rights, such as stealing or physical violence.
Halfway Houses vs. Sober Homes
Sometimes people use the terms “halfway house” and “sober homes” interchangeably, but they are not always the same type of residence. Generally speaking, the main difference between a halfway house and a sober living home is that halfway houses are typically part of a treatment program and, therefore, subject to government regulations and oversight. These programs may also receive government funding. On the other hand, sober homes are generally not considered formal addiction treatment programs.
Sober living homes are residential environments where people agree to abstain from drug or alcohol use. People who live in these homes must pay for living costs. Sober living homes tend to require or strongly encourage people to attend self-help meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), according to experts. People can generally remain in sober homes for as long as they need, provided that they comply with house rules, remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol and continue to pay rent and house fees.
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Government agencies may run halfway houses for people who are transitioning out of prison and back into the community. Some people may exit prison and transition to a halfway house after serving time for a drug-related offense. While not all halfway houses are used in this way, a considerable portion are.