You’ve gone through detox, you’ve completed inpatient and outpatient drug treatment programs and now it is time to take that next step. While going home may sound like a good option and it may be more comfortable to do so, it often is not the wisest nor the smartest decision you can make with your newfound sobriety. Enter a halfway house. A halfway house is a transitional living facility that still keeps you accountable to your recovery while allowing you the freedoms to begin living life again. Some people use a halfway house as transitional living home, others are court mandated and others have lost their homes due to their addiction and are now finding their way through sober living. Whatever the case may be, halfway houses or sober living as it is also called, is a great tool for those newly in recovery. Often times a halfway house will require you to pass a breathalyzer and/or drug test before they will accept you. This is to ensure the safety of people already living there and to ensure you are doing the right things for your recovery.
Most halfway houses have no restrictions on who can live there but the majority of people who attend a halfway house have completed some form of inpatient treatment before attending. This is because of the sobriety requirement necessary to move into a sober living home.
Halfway houses make great transitional living facilities because they keep individual’s accountable with what are known as house rules. Each halfway house has varying rules and varying degrees of strictness. All or most, require random drug screening to ensure you are maintaining your sobriety. Others may have curfews, require chores to be done, have a set meeting schedule that is mandatory and more. This is all to ensure that your main focus is sobriety while you also begin to live your own life again. Some houses will also require you to get a job and begin paying rent at the halfway house. This is to help you find a balance between work and your recovery.
Halfway houses usually cost anywhere from 100 to 500 a week depending on the type of house. Insurance usually does not cover the cost of sober living unless it also includes some form of outpatient program. Sober living homes are not for everyone, but if you think it might be right for you or a loved one, reach out to your doctor or therapist to see if they’re able to recommend one for you. Often times if you have completed inpatient or outpatient treatment–they will know of halfway houses in the area that they work with and are reputable. If you attend 12-step or other recovery meetings, you can ask other members of your group for recommendations as well. If you still haven’t been able to get recommendations, do a quick Google search to read reviews and find halfway houses in your area.
Sobriety is far from boring. It allows you to live your life to the fullest, experience all of life’s adventures, make the most out of relationships, and be present in the moment. It doesn’t come without its challenges, however, and it’s beneficial to be around people who can support you on this journey.
For more information on halfway houses and treatment programs, contact us at GateHouse Treatment. We are available to you 24/7, and can be reached at (855) 448-3588.
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