For many people in recovery, halfway houses provide a bridge back to life in the community. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about halfway houses and whether one might be right for you or someone you love.
What is a Halfway House?
A halfway house is a form of transitional housing for people in recovery from a substance use disorder. It provides a substance-free, structured environment for people who are doing the hard work of rebuilding their lives – often people who are transitioning from some other form of treatment or incarceration. Halfway houses allow residents to learn new skills, accumulate some clean and sober time, and do the painstaking work of reintegrating into society.
A halfway house is staffed by trained professionals – including counselors and peer support staff – who are there to help you find a solid footing in recovery. Through group therapy and skills training sessions, residents of a halfway house discover that a life beyond addiction is within reach. Furthermore, members of 12-Step programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), often host meetings inside halfway houses, providing residents with much-needed social support and inspiration for how life can look when their stay has been completed. Halfway houses are owned or sponsored by state governments.
What Should You Expect at a Halfway House?
During a stay in a halfway house, you can expect a fairly regimented schedule and a set of rules and guidelines to follow. Curfews and routine drug tests are the norm. Moreover, you can expect to participate in therapy sessions.
In terms of living arrangements, you can probably expect to share a room with one or two other people. Some halfway houses also include larger rooms that may include bunk beds, allowing for more residents to share the room. Halfway houses are often funded by state governments, but some do ask for a small weekly or monthly fee. You can probably expect to provide your toiletries.
The length of your stay depends on a variety of factors. If you’ve been ordered by a court to be in the halfway house, you can expect to stay for the length prescribed by the judge. Many houses encourage a minimum stay of two to three months, with a maximum stay of six months to one year. The length also depends on the level of care you require and how far along in the recovery process you are. Before moving into a halfway house, it’s important to ask about the length of the stay and figure out what’s right for you.
What Are Halfway House Rules?
Halfway houses are designed to foster safety and accountability for all of its residents–because these are keys to a real and lasting recovery. Some common rules include:
- Complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
- Attendance at 12-Step recovery meetings.
- Attendance at skills meetings and group therapy sessions (on-time and prepared).
- Strictly adhering to curfews.
- Respectful treatment of fellow residents (no fighting, verbal or physical).
- Maintaining employment or engaging in volunteer activities.
While these rules are common in halfway houses, each individual halfway house has its requirements. Your best bet is to inquire about the rules of a particular facility before moving into the facility. Keep in mind that the rules are there to help you on your path to recovery.
What Are the Benefits of a Halfway House?
A common saying in the 12-Step community is: “It works if you work it.” A similar logic applies to your stay at a halfway house. Staying at a halfway house gives you time to learn, reflect, and change. They provide a safe haven for you to take care of your mental health while reintegrating into the larger society. The tools are made available to you, and it’s up to you to take advantage of them.
Other benefits of halfway houses include: relapse prevention, peer support, skill development, and intensive mental health support. You also have the benefit of being part of the larger community – you’re typically free to venture out into the world to work, see friends, get a meal, and more. It’s a bridge back to life.
Studies have found that halfway houses are effective in helping people build lives free from substances. Studies have also found that people who go through a halfway house show improvements in employment, a reduction in psychiatric problems, and a greater likelihood of avoiding arrest in the future.
Who Pays for a Halfway House?
If you’re looking to stay in a halfway house, it’s only natural to wonder how you’ll pay for it. This depends on the type of insurance you have and the type of facility where you’d like to stay.
Some halfway houses charge rent and program fees, which you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Certain insurance plans cover halfway house stays, especially if that stay is tied to addiction treatment. Moreover, since halfway houses are owned or sponsored by state governments, they may offer you financial support. Check with the particular facility where you’d like to stay about the best way to pay for the stay.
Where Can You Find a Halfway House?
If you’ve decided a halfway house stay is for you, you’ll need help finding the right one. The best way to do that involves research and referrals. Reliable resources include:
- FindTreatment.gov
- Local addiction treatment centers.
- Community-based residential programs.
What Are Alternatives to a Halfway House?
Halfway houses are a popular and effective way to build on your recovery and reintegrate into society. But they’re not for everyone, and fortunately, they’re not the only option. Some alternatives include:
- Sober Living Homes: These are privately funded and usually connected to treatment facilities, and they provide a substance-free environment. They don’t employ clinical staff, and they’re much less structured than halfway houses. For this reason, they may be better for people who are further along in recovery.
- Oxford Houses: These are peer-managed homes for people in recovery, where residents share responsibilities and support each other.
- In-Home Addiction Treatment (IHAT): Aware Recovery Care has pioneered an innovative In-Home Addiction Treatment that offers you care and support from the safety and security of your home with a 78% recovery success rate. IHAT includes counseling, medication management, personalized care plans, and more. Experts at Aware Recovery Care can help you develop a personalized plan that fits your specific needs and circumstances.
