What are sober living homes and halfway houses? They provide shelter, safety, and an opportunity to continue working on your recovery. This page will share info about sober living homes, halfway houses, and what they can offer.

What Are Sober Living Homes?

Sober living homes are group homes for those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Most of these homes are privately owned, although some group homes are owned by businesses and may even be owned by charity organizations. Sober living housing is usually located in quiet areas to help ensure a peaceful environment for individuals in early recovery.

People who reside in sober living facilities can usually come and go as they please as long as they follow certain rules. For example, sober living houses may require residents to be home by a certain time or to go to work during the day. Residents may also be subject to periodic drug testing to demonstrate ongoing sobriety.

People who live in these types of sober living facilities are expected to be responsible for themselves. This is an important step in recovery because addiction may cause people to act in irresponsible ways, and the facility requires them to take responsibility for their room and board, etc. People living in sober homes usually have to pay their own rent, buy their own food, and do the same things they would do for themselves if they lived in a regular home.

What Are Halfway Houses?

Halfway houses typically have a time limit on how long residents can stay. Residents are often required to move out after a certain length of time, whether they feel ready or not. Halfway houses also require that all residents either be currently attending substance abuse treatment or have recently completed a program.

This can be troubling for some addicted individuals who want an alternative to formal treatment, have relapsed after extended recovery, or have had poor rehab experiences in the past. Lastly, some halfway houses are funded by treatment centers and the government, which means it’s possible that their funding will be cut, at which point residents may have nowhere to go or be prompted to move into more dangerous, sobriety-challenging environments.¹

Difference Between Sober Living Homes and Halfway Houses

Conceptually, halfway houses and sober living homes are very similar. They both provide substance-free, living environments for people struggling with addiction, but they can also differ in a number of ways. Halfway houses were originally created by treatment programs.

The intent was to provide the patient with a place to stay after they completed inpatient treatment or while they were attending outpatient rehab. The focus was on separating the user from their previous substance-abusing environment so that they could recover in a sober, supportive environment. These halfway houses improved treatment outcomes for many individuals. That being said, halfway houses have a few disadvantages that sober living homes do not.¹

Unlike halfway houses, sober living homes allow people to live at the location for as long as they’d like, provided that they follow all house rules. Sober living homes also do not always require that you’ve attended formal drug and alcohol treatment before residing there. Some sober living homes either mandate or strongly encourage that you attend 12-step meetings while living there. Finally, there are no funding disruptions, because residents pay rent while living there.¹

What to Expect at a Sober Living Home

Sober living homes often have certain similarities, including the ability to come and go as you choose. There are rules that residents are expected to follow during their time at a sober living home, one of the most important being that they are sober and commit to remaining sober while there. Additionally, sober living house rules may include a curfew, helping around the house, and attending group meetings.

These sober residences, though each will have some differences, allow individuals to continue working on their recovery after they have completed inpatient addiction treatment while easing back into their regular lives. They have the opportunity to begin resuming their regular responsibilities and duties with an increased independence while staying somewhere that provides additional support and a safe environment for their sobriety.

Sober Living Home Rules & Regulations

Rules differ from sober living facility to facility, but there are some rules that are common to most sober environments. Residents of sober living homes agree to all the rules when they move in, and violations of the rules have consequences. Depending on the violation, residents may have to pay a fine, make amends to another resident, or write an essay about what they did. In some cases, residents may be asked to leave the home because of violations of rules.

The primary rule in all sober living houses is that residents must stay sober. There are even some sober houses that ban the use of items that contain alcohol.

In addition to these rules, people who live in these types of houses are encouraged to find work or go to school during the day and must contribute to the home by doing chores. They also must refrain from any violence. Some people who live in halfway houses are required to be home by a certain time of night. These rules help residents learn to be responsible for themselves and their behavior.

Living Environment at Sober Living Homes

The living accommodations available at a sober living home vary depending on the home that you select. Often owned by private owners, although charities and businesses can also own the homes, sober living houses are usually located in residential neighborhoods.

There is a wide variety of options available, including apartment style and dorm rooms. Rooms may be individual or shared with a roommate, and common spaces, like the kitchen, living room, and backyard, are shared by everyone living in the home. The number of people living in the home depends on the size of the home or the number of licensed beds.

Benefits of Living in a Sober Home

Individuals staying in sober living homes experience many benefits, including:

Avoiding isolation.
Being held accountable.
Agreeing to and following rules.
Increased responsibility.
Support and friendship from others sharing the same experience.
Encouragement to continue rehab through outpatient treatment or support groups.
An environment removed from substance abuse triggers.
Independence while still providing structure.
Time to transition back to regular life rather than jumping right back in.

Who Can Live In a Sober Living House?

Although most sober living homes do not restrict who may apply to live there, the majority of residents have completed a substance abuse rehabilitation program prior to moving in. Those actively working on their recovery who already have some sobriety under their belt and have learned the tools to help them stay sober are more likely to succeed at sober living than those who are new to recovery.

Although prior completion of a rehab program is common, it is not always a prerequisite to living in a sober residence. Many sober living homes will accept residents who are new to the rehab process as long as those residents are willing to stay sober and live by the house rules. When applicable, residents should already have completed a detox program to guarantee medical stability and to preclude being acutely ill and unable to work while living in a sober house.

How Much Does Sober Living Cost?

Prices vary for staying in halfway houses, but most of the time it costs about the same as it would cost to live in a modest apartment or home. Sober living residents must pay rent each month. Residents have to pay rent on time, but they do not have to pay first and last month’s rent. They also do not have to pay for utilities in most sober homes.

Living in a halfway house is generally cheaper than living in a residential rehab because the staff provides fewer services. Residents may be encouraged to attend 12-step program meetings on a regular basis and may have to periodically meet with a therapist while living at a sober living home, but intensive SUD therapy sessions are not part of the daily operations of a sober living home. This helps bring the cost down.

In addition, most sober homes try to ensure that residents can afford to live there so people who desire to stay sober are able to have a safe environment in which to do so.

Is a Sober Living Home Right for Me?

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, a sober living home may be the right solution. These special living situations help residents stay sober by keeping expectations high and giving them support while allowing them to resume normal activities such as working or going to school. Residents can also get support from one another in the house and make new friends who are committed to sobriety.

Sober living homes are not for everybody; some people may need to go through detox or rehab before they can successfully live in a sober environment. However, these homes provide a supportive place to transition from an addictive lifestyle to one of sobriety and responsibility. People who have gotten sober and want to stay that way should consider moving into a halfway house or other group home dedicated to sober living. Living in this type of home can aid sobriety and make it more likely that recovering addicts will remain in recovery for the long term.

Finding the Best Sober Living Home Near Me

If you want to find the best sober living home near you, it’s important to carefully consider different options as each home is structured differently and usually has its own house rules. The best home for your individual needs might be one that is worth traveling for.

Depending on your location, you may find there is not an appropriate home near or local to you. However, if there are appropriate homes nearby, consider the pros and cons of local versus traveling out of state. Our rehab directory can help you search through facilities that help provide sober living homes throughout the United States. Some popular states include California, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.

Sober Living Homes and Halfway Houses Near Me