In addition to abstinence from drugs and alcohol, residents must follow certain other house rules, such as having a curfew, performing chores, and attending local 12-step meetings. Residents are encouraged to return to work or school and are allowed to have their own car on the premises. Each member is required to contribute to maintaining the halfway house’s cleanliness in order to help them develop as individuals in their personal recovery journey. Sober living facilities are intended for individuals who have recently achieved sobriety after working through a treatment program at an accredited rehab facility.

Despite these similarities, sober living homes and halfway houses are different. The main differences between these programs lie in the requirements for admission, length of stay, recovery model, and mode of operation. Sober living homes create a drug-free environment that allows people to handle less-safe environments healthily. Aside from meetings and house chores, people in sober living homes will have more free time. Getting involved with a community project, sports, volunteering, or school keeps the mind and body engaged. Activities bring a sense of accomplishment, improving the chances of staying sober.

Accessibility Options

The purpose of this curfew is to make sure you are in the house surrounded by sober people at the times you will be most tempted to relapse. You are allowed to leave the residence, but you must abide by your curfew in doing so. At The Raleigh House, our addiction recovery program is a full 90 days because we believe a longer length of stay may give your loved one a better chance at recovery.

For instance, individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders may be required to take medications that are dispensed by a member of the staff. These facilities will have specific times for each individual to take their medications. Everyone’s environment and support group influence their chances of staying sober. It is essential to avoid stressors and triggers that may remind people of their former environment. Many people sober house vs rehab create new social media accounts, change their phone numbers and contact info, and even take a break from speaking to specific family or friends. This isn’t to try and run from reality but to avoid toxic environments until they develop the skills and confidence to take it on and remain sober. Individuals with addictions may not be able to drive directly from an inpatient rehabilitation center to a sober living facility.

Get Help With Alcohol Addiction

Their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of SLHs in their communities should provide data that can be used to modify houses to improve acceptance and expand to serve more drug and alcohol dependent persons. We hypothesize that barriers to expansion of SLHs might vary by stakeholder groups. Drug and alcohol administrators and operators of houses might therefore need different strategies to address the concerns of different stakeholders. Outpatient programs in low income urban areas might find the Options Recovery Services model of SLHs helpful. Relative to the other housing programs, this model was inexpensive and the houses were conveniently located near the outpatient facility. Typically, residents entered these SLHs after establishing some period of sobriety while they resided in a nearby shelter and attended the outpatient program. A significant strength of the Options houses was that residents were able to maintain low alcohol and drug severity at 12-month follow up.

At Oak Tree and most sober living homes, residents will be required to attend a daily recovery meeting to discuss their goals for the day and how they can continue to grow and recover as individuals. During the first 45 days, those without jobs or in school will attend 12-step NA or AA meetings, go to the gym, socialize, or take part in outdoor activities such as hiking.

When a Sober Living Environment Is Right for You

Based on the levels of support they offer residents, four types of sober living homes in Florida include halfway houses, transitional housing, recovery houses, and sober housing. Opening these programs doesn’t require a license, but Florida municipal ordinances on residential buildings apply. Also, halfway houses and sober living homes do not need licenses to open under Florida or federal laws. They don’t provide formal addiction treatment subject to regulatory standards set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration .

• Oxford House facilities are the best examples of Level I sober living homes.
• Quite often, medical detox will be the first phase of recovery when entering drug rehab.
• They may also enroll in sober living several months or years after completing rehab if they recently relapsed and need help getting back on track.
• Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles.
• You’ll master how to do the laundry, buy groceries, and seek employment, among other things.

Sober living homes are geared to support newly recovering addicts adjust to life after rehab. Halfway homes are state-owned and state-funded facilities with rent contributions from residents expected. You will be held accountable for staying in recovery, as you’ll be required to submit to drug screens. Similarly, if you are asked to leave because of broken rules, breaking curfew, or any other reason, you have violated your probation. At that point you may be put in jail or be given a further alternative sentence. You and other residents can meet together with a licensed therapist in an open, supportive environment.

Mental Health Services

The minimum age requirement is 18 and all residents must have been clean for a minimum of 30 days before residing in the home. Individuals charged with or convicted of violent crimes, arson, or any sort of sexual misconduct are not permitted to enter Oak Tree Recovery Homes. When you were actively addicted, the one relationship you cared about was your connection to your drug of choice. In sober living facilities, you’ll begin to build important relationships and feel more valuable. Your fellow residents will be able to assist you, as they know what you’ve been through.

• For a more complete description of the study design and collection of data see Polcin et al. , Polcin et al. and Polcin, Korcha, Bond, Galloway and Lapp .
• Sober living homes create a drug-free environment that allows people to handle less-safe environments healthily.
• They provide a balance of supervision and independence that allows people to transition back to work, school and daily life.
• Still, getting professional help is recommended before moving into a sober living home, especially for persons who have had difficulty staying sober or need special care.
• They typically stipulate a specific length of stay and require patients to be involved in addiction treatment services.

Services such as the 12-step program are common practice at sober living homes. Sober living homes are uniquely poised to provide a safe place for those in need of a secure structure to ensure a successful recovery. Anyone who wants to stop drinking alcohol or using drugs should consider joining a sober living community. Many residents complete a rehabilitation program prior to approaching a sober living home, but this is not mandatory. If you have already gone through rehab, but you’re not quite ready to live independently, this type of facility may be an excellent fit for you. Sober living houses are alcohol and drug-free environments where residents can establish or maintain their sobriety. Through peer support, proven recovery principles, peer empowerment, and individual responsibility, residents can solidify their sobriety and prepare to return home or live independently.