Sometimes, sober living houses also act as a stand-alone approach for substance misuse problems, meaning that someone will go straight there without first attending a residential treatment center. Finances can be crucial in determining the best plan for your recovery. Some halfway houses, or sober re-entry programs, are state-funded.

By Julia Childs Heyl, MSW

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a clinical social worker and writer. As a writer, she focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. In her clinical work, she specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Most residents of these homes have recently completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Who Can Live at a Halfway House?

It’s important to receive regular drug testing as it can help to keep residents accountable for their actions and encourage fellow residents in their recovery. Some homes require signing out when leaving the home and signing in when returning. Getting a job or volunteering may also be part of some sober living programs. Aside from expectations connected to recovery, sober living homes have rules that apply to any shared residential space.

Both of them also offer access to resources that can help you with early recovery. A sober living house provides individuals recovering from substance use disorder with a safe place to live before they’re ready to return to their former lives. There are thousands of sober living homes in the U.S., according to the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR). However, sober living homes differ depending on the residents they accept and the rules they maintain.

The Difference Between Halfway Houses and Sober Living Homes

By encouraging a sense of community and togetherness, recovering people are motivated to bond with others, support each other, and continue sobriety to retain their place in the house. The cost varies by the type of sober-living environment and length of stay. Some sober-living homes have a base rate with additional costs for added services. When you’re looking for a sober recovery home, be sure to ask what’s included in the monthly rate and what is extra. Some examples of additional services may include transportation to appointments, recovery coaching, meals and gym memberships.

• We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.
• It was a seltzer with lime instead of Bordeaux with a Michelin-starred meal; a trip to the gym on Friday evenings while everyone else hit happy hour.
• Here you will find information about sober houses in major cities and states.
• The best home for your individual needs might be one that is worth traveling for.
• Design for Recovery stands out for young men in Los Angeles striving to overcome addiction.
• Sober living homes may or may not be accredited or licensed through a state, local, or national agency.

No matter where you are, sober living homes can be found in all major cities and most small towns throughout the country. We can help you find a local sober house that will provide you with a safe, clean and secure environment where you can continue the recovery process and maintain your sobriety. Sober living homes provide you with peer support while you transition from inpatient treatment to sober living in the community. All sober living homes have a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of drugs or alcohol. Usually, residents have recently completed inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment for substance use addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sober Living House

Many times, these individuals fall back into their old ways and unfortunately end up relapsing. As a staff, we have come together to pour our hearts, souls, knowledge, and experience into a place we feel comfortable sending our own children if we had to. For the past 10 years, Ascension House – Sober Sober House Living Austin founders in Austin have been helping young men and women grow, heal and recover their lives. It has been proven repeatedly that individuals who establish a firm foundation and support system through treatment and extended care have substantially higher success rates of sobriety.

• Typically, residents of sober living homes must pay rent from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month.
• As for the “impact of sober living homes on the broader community,” they mitigate the societal effects of addiction and promote understanding and support for those in recovery.
• A sober living home typically costs the same as the average apartment.
• They also tend to be affiliated with addiction treatment centers that provide outpatient programs.
• But sober living homes can be beneficial for anyone in recovery who does not have a supportive, substance-free environment to go home to.

However, the way they work, the length of stay, and the funding options differ. 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. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to a sober life, reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in addiction and substance use. While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates. Something important to note is that sober living houses are not the same as halfway houses.