Sober living houses are smaller residential setups, usually not catering to more than ten residents at a time. Sober living homes place great emphasis on creating a drug- and alcohol-free environment where residents can access a range of support measures and amenities. Group homes in the non-profit sector are often operated by other than the providers involved in state or private, for-profit involuntary care.

For someone struggling with alcoholism or substance use disorder, the basic necessity of a stable home can be challenging to find. One of the biggest obstacles to recovery is the lack of safe, affordable housing. However, it’s understandable—while unfortunate—that various factors can cause roadblocks to keeping a steady living situation.

Civil rights

1. When you’re seeking help while working on your sobriety, it’s crucial to know the difference between sober living and halfway houses so you can figure out which is best for you.
2. A group home can be commercial (i.e., charge fees for treatment and rent with intent of making a profit), or it can be run by a non-profit organization or charitable institution at little or no charge to the residents.
3. They won’t turn you away even though you have bad credit, criminal charges, or a history of evictions.
4. Spending time in a sober living home is a sound relapse prevention strategy for early recovery.
5. Group homes in the non-profit sector are often operated by other than the providers involved in state or private, for-profit involuntary care.

Sober living is just like it sounds, a place to stay where you’ll have a supportive community and can start your new life free from alcohol or other drugs. Residents in sober-living homes commit to abstaining from substance use while participating in outpatient programming or after completing inpatient drug rehab. According to research published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, halfway houses and sober homes are highly effective in the ongoing treatment of substance use disorder. While halfway houses provide an excellent and affordable sober living community, there may be some disadvantages to a halfway home for certain people.

John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Halfway houses were first established in 18th century England to shelter youngsters who had committed crimes. In the United States, similar houses were established to house prisoners who had recently been released from prison. Transitional housing was created to help those who are homeless or in a crisis, as well as specialized populations facing social acceptance issues, bridge the gap between temporary and permanent accommodation.

Support Your Recovery

Living in a halfway house has many benefits for people who have just finished addiction treatment or currently undergoing treatment. It is helpful to explore the reputation of a sober living home before moving in. Additionally, explore ratings and reviews from residents who have lived in the home. When researching a new home environment, check in with your intuition and speak with your clinical team and treatment specialists to explore safe and supportive living options. Sober living homes rarely offer professional services within the home.5 Instead, most residents will stay in a sober living home while attending IOP or outpatient treatment. When we enroll in a sober living program, we receive round-the-clock supervision and support.

In contrast, private halfway houses might have a more streamlined and flexible admissions process, enabling them to accommodate a broader spectrum of individuals needing support. A sober living house is a peer-managed home designed to help people maintain sobriety. This is achieved through required sobriety, recovery group attendance, and household participation. Those who live in these houses rent rooms indefinitely and live a life in accordance with their responsibilities, like work and school. Halfway houses serve people leaving prison, mental health facilities, and rehab centers. They’re usually funded by the state or federal government and staffed with social workers.

Stepping Stones: A Comparative Guide to Sober Homes, Transitional Housing and Halfway Houses

It allows you to live in a safe, substance-free environment while readjusting to life outside treatment. The right sober living environment can have a powerful capacity to support your recovery. Additionally, a sober living home may require you to be employed, actively seeking employment, or attending educational advancement.

If you are just sobering up, have gone through detox, are prepared to stay abstinent, and are capable of adhering to the house regulations, you can live in a halfway house. The individuals managing the location are licensed professionals, though this licensing differs from one area to the next. A final form is a service provider, which is more like an institutional provider.

Halfway Houses vs. Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes offer both roommate options as well as private rooms. Sober living homes tend to have more options for privacy because of their independent business model. Typically, group home vs halfway house a sober living home has a small number of residents, generally fewer than 10. However, it’s worth checking with your insurance provider to see if they might cover this cost.

However, they are generally open to people who have completed an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program. A less-than-desirable environment exposes someone in recovery to the potential triggers that can lead to relapse. A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs by the Alcohol Research Group Public Health Institute showcased the importance of social and environmental factors in recovery. There are also less restrictive forms of group homes, which often use the house parent model. Prior to the 1970s, this function was served by institutions, asylums, poorhouses, and orphanages until long-term services and supports, including group homes were developed in the United States. Maintaining sobriety can be a difficult process, however, a sober living house may provide you with the kind of structure and support you’ll need to maintain your sobriety.

Whether you choose to stay in a group home or in supportive housing, we hope you’ll find the one that will meet your needs. For the most part, residents live at a halfway house for about 3 months to a year. This will vary based on the individual’s needs and unique circumstances.