Sober Living vs Halfway House: What’s the Difference?

Halfway houses serve as the halfway point between an institution and independent society, with residents usually coming from either correctional or inpatient treatment facilities. What A Fresh Start offers you as a participant is clean, upscale affordable and safe housing in good neighborhoods. As you begin your journey of recovery, you will receive support and encouragement from a ready made peer-based and structured living scenario.

This type of sober living is more of a steps phase that follows the continuum of care at an addiction treatment center. Clinical services are provided in-house with a strong emphasis on life skills development. Staff members are credentialed, and licensing varies from state to state. 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. In the ’40s and ’50s, California began to dismantle its custodial care systems (e.g., local jails and state psychiatric hospitals), creating an even greater need for sober living houses.

How Do Sober Living Houses Work Day-to-Day?

Halfway houses are very similar to other sober-living residences, and it’s no surprise that people often confuse them. Having extra support and accountability makes a tremendous difference. Knowing that you’re living among other sober people can help you stay on the right path.

The term sober living generally refers to living a drug-free and alcohol-free lifestyle. The term is primarily applied to those in recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism. The rules and guidelines of the sober living house are intended to encourage sober behavior and prevent relapse, and residents are typically required to maintain their sobriety while living in the house.

Meditation for Addiction Recovery and Substance Abuse Treatment

Residents in sober houses have complete autonomy while being held accountable by peers and/or supervisory personnel. Clinical supervision may be available in some long-term sober living homes, but not all of them. If this route sounds more like what you’re needing right now, you’ll be living in a home with other people, typically of your gender, all of which have completed their addiction treatment. In a sober living home you’ll most likely be required to attend a support group or therapy in order to promote accountability in your sobriety.

That said, regardless of your housing, it’s important to stay connected with your recovery community. Be mindful of the risk of relapse, and take care of yourself and Selecting the Most Suitable Sober House for Addiction Recovery your sobriety. For residents who have to work or school outside the home, there is no controlling how other people they meet or see everyday talk about or use drugs.

Legacy Meetings – River Ridge Recovery Alumni

While most people in sober living homes have been in treatment, sober living offers recovery beyond the context of treatment. Your primary focus during a sober living program is to learn the life skills needed to maintain sobriety outside of treatment. These programs include recreational activities and planned events to teach you how to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol.