Updated on October 28, 2024
5 min read

What Is a Halfway House?

Key Takeaways

  • Halfway houses are living facilities where people go as part of their drug or alcohol aftercare rehab.
  • Although there are similarities to sober living homes, halfway houses are cheaper and have different facilities.
  • Halfway houses can help people transition back to their normal lives after treatment.
  • Halfway houses offer valuable skills and support to help people reintegrate into society.

What is a Halfway House?

A halfway house is a living facility where people go after rehab. These houses are similar to sober houses or transitional housing.

They offer a middle step for people who are committed to being sober but aren’t ready to live independently. Depending on your needs, you can live in a halfway house for a few weeks or months. 

A halfway house is a good option if returning to normal life is too overwhelming. It allows you to live in a safe, substance-free environment while readjusting to life outside treatment.

What are the Rules of a Halfway House?

Halfway houses provide more freedom to residents than inpatient treatment programs. However, they still offer more structure and a larger support system than independent living.

Rules vary from place to place, but in general, residents of halfway houses are expected to:

  • Remain sober
  • Submit to random drug and/or alcohol testing
  • Contribute to the house
  • Attend house meetings
  • Respect the property and space of other residents and staff members
  • Avoid fighting with other residents
  • Adhere to a curfew
  • Attend a 12-step or similar program

Some halfway houses also require residents to work or seek gainful employment during their stay.

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Who Can Live in a Halfway House?

The qualifications to live in a halfway house vary depending on the facility. However, they are generally open to people who have completed an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program.

You can live at the facility as long as you can remain sober. However, many halfway houses limit how long residents can stay.

Whether you’re ready or not, you may be required to move out after several months. People who have detoxed and spent some time sober are most likely to succeed in this environment.

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Benefits of Halfway Houses for Rehab Aftercare

Living in a halfway house has many benefits for people who have just finished addiction treatment or currently undergoing treatment. They provide a safe environment with plenty of additional support.

Other benefits of living in a halfway house include:

Holding Residents Accountable

Learning accountability is an important skill for people in recovery. Most halfway houses have rules to follow and help residents set boundaries. It helps many people adjust to the demands of the outside world. It also teaches them responsibility and that authority isn’t negative.

Sober Living

Halfway houses require everyone to live without alcohol or drug use. This removes temptation and helps people in recovery see that it is possible to enjoy life without these substances.

Sobriety is an active part of everyone’s lives and is celebrated in these environments. Many halfway houses also make attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-step meetings mandatory.

Social Interaction

It can be difficult for people in recovery to get the social interaction they need because some people may not accept or respect their new lifestyle. Halfway houses offer healthy social interaction with people who understand your needs and the challenges of sober living.

Employment and Life Skills

Many halfway houses offer support and guidance for finding a job. Some even require you to look for work while living on the premises. 

If you struggle to find steady work, support from a halfway house can be invaluable. Residents may receive help with:

  • Creating a resume
  • Filling out applications online
  • Learning how to do interviews

Personal Growth

Some rehab specialists recommend that people struggling with long-term substance abuse should live in a halfway house for at least a year. This can give them enough time to:

  • Adjust to life after treatment
  • Learn how to embrace sobriety
  • Learn how to become self-reliant
  • Improve their mental health

How Much Does Halfway Housing Cost?

Generally, the cost of living at a halfway house ranges from $100 to $2,000 per month. Most facilities with basic amenities cost about $400 to $800 per month, 

The overall cost can depend on the location of the halfway house. Additionally, insurance coverage and other financial support are sometimes available to help with the cost.

How to Pay for Halfway Housing

Financial support for living at a halfway house is available from:

  • Insurance
  • Scholarships
  • Grants
  • Bank loans

Some transitional housing facilities accept credit card payments or offer in-house financing. This allows you to spread out payments over several weeks or months.

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Halfway Houses vs. Sober Living Homes

A sober living facility is usually affiliated with a specific addiction treatment center, serving as a stepping stone for people who have finished inpatient treatment but still need other treatment programs for recovery. 

On the other hand, halfway houses are dorm-style living spaces owned by a government or private agency. They can be more crowded than sober living homes and offer fewer amenities.

If a person comes from a correctional facility, they can be court-mandated to live in a halfway house for a predetermined amount of time. Because of this, halfway houses can be used by the homeless or people coming out of incarceration.

In most cases, halfway houses cost less than sober living homes. However, sober living houses tend to offer more privacy and comfort than halfway houses.

Other Treatment Options for Addiction

Everyone responds differently to treatment. This is why it’s important to consult your doctor to find the right treatment method for your needs.

There are alternatives if you think a halfway house isn’t for you. Other treatment options for addiction include:

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Updated on October 28, 2024

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