Sober Living Vs Halfway House: Similar, But Not Synonyms

Living without alcohol and drugs is easier if you do it with people who also suffer from substance abuse addiction. Sharing common ground gives you the understanding you need in times of loneliness, depression, and cravings since everyone in the sober living home also experiences the same challenges. You build a common bond with other residents, who are ready to be your support system anytime. All of the benefits of halfway houses also apply to sober living homes. But, there are also specific benefits that residents can enjoy in sober living homes.

The deal is, you have to stay sober and work a program of recovery. You are simply sharing a living space with other recovering people. You are essentially renting a room from a landlord and part of your lease agreement is to stay clean.

How Sober Living Benefits Recovery

However, they offer group meetings promoting sober living and reinforcing recovery. A sober living house differs from a halfway house in that the individuals who reside in these facilities mostly come directly from inpatient substance use treatment programs. Generally, when a person’s home life environment is not conducive to continued recovery, a sober living home is the best option. The residents of halfway houses are typically court-mandated to live there, and the facilities are therefore run by the state. While both halfway houses and three-quarter houses provide transitional housing for individuals in recovery, there are some key differences between the two. However, there is usually more flexibility in terms of curfew and the level of participation in group activities.

Nevertheless, most homes register with the Illinois Department of Human Services. Recovery houses provide residents with a living environment that is free from drugs and alcohol. They are privately owned and operated, so residents living in recovery houses pay a weekly rent to live there. Recovery houses are much less specialized to substance abuse treatment than a halfway house, but still, provide a safe space for those striving for sobriety to live. Halfway houses offer an opportunity for individuals leaving correctional facilities to have a smoother transition into their new lives. These homes provide a safe and sober living environment, and access to wrap-around support, like job training, educational assistance, financial planning, mental health services and more.

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

It is meant to help with the transition back to the community, but this time, as someone in recovery, not active addition. While adjusting, they continue to receive therapy or counseling and are also encouraged to participate in volunteer service, seek employment and enrich their daily living skills. There may also be a limit on how much time a resident can stay at the halfway house.

Usually, it is the halfway point for reformed convicts who have recently been released from prison, who are not yet able to support themselves independently. Other residents at a halfway house may sober house include the homeless, and some are admitted as a requirement of a court order. Halfway houses and sober living homes can be beneficial for those trying to get acclimated to life in recovery.

What are halfway house rules?

One of the most important things you must have in your early days of recovery is a safe place to live – one that supports your decision to stay clean. We ensure every community has a program administrator and house manager. Throughout his time at this halfway house, he never saw accountability in the way of a drug test, contract to sign, direction, or resources that would have otherwise helped him.

Contact us today to learn more and see if our residences can help you continue your recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Riviera is a health and wellness community that sets its goals around wellness, independence, and community. We have a team of experienced local addiction consultants who help you ease back into the community from a sober living facility. We offer multiple services, including weekly mentor meetings, nutrition meetings, 24/7 rehab consulting staff, food management systems, random drug testing, weekly social activities, and more. Sober living homes have staff members responsible for enforcing these rules to ensure the environment is free of drugs and the individuals are not tempted to relapse. A halfway house is a residential facility serving multiple groups of people who need rehab or want to remain sober.