Peer advocates run the houses and remain available to us for the duration of our stay. They keep the facilities in tip-top shape and answer any questions we may have in the early stages of recovery. Leaving the safety of treatment for a temptation-packed daily life is a huge step! Through a combination of accountability and education, this supportive housing solution helps us prepare for tough real-world scenarios after treatment. Halfway houses serve as the halfway point between an institution and independent society, with residents usually coming from either correctional or inpatient treatment facilities.
Halfway Houses vs. Sober Living Programs
Halfway houses provide a more organized and supervised atmosphere than sober living homes. These are generally intended for people who have completed a rehabilitation program and are transitioning to an autonomous lifestyle. A sober living house is a place where people recovering from addiction can live together in a safe, substance-free environment.
Sober Living Houses
To find out more about our sober living program, contact the professionals at Riviera Recovery today. They are available to answer any questions you may have and help you in getting started on your journey to a lifetime of sobriety. While both are transitional housing solutions for people in early recovery, their clientele, structure, staff, and funding differ. For these reasons, sober living homes tend to be the best fit for most people in early recovery. By Julia Childs Heyl, MSWJulia 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.
Sober living offers a social-model peer-led community
Generally, these establishments are private and situated in tranquil neighborhoods, so people can de-stress and focus on their recovery. A recovery housing model gives inhabitants the opportunity to get and give support from their peers and leaders in the community. Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL) is a network of independently operated sober houses and recovery homes organized and supported by The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation. VSL recovery homes provide a supportive and structured environment for individuals committed to maintaining sobriety and rebuilding their lives. Halfway houses and sober living homes fall under the larger umbrella of recovery housing. While both facilities offer support for the newly substance-free, the two are distinguishable by fundamental differences.
Halfway houses are more structured and often a step right after rehabilitation or a period of incarceration. The rules in halfway houses vs sober living homes are designed to support residents in their recovery, but they vary based on the level of structure and the goals of each type of residence. Random drug testing plays a pivotal role in both sober living homes and halfway houses. These tests, which are typically 1–2 times a week, ensure that the environment remains substance-free. This level of accountability greatly enhances the benefits of sober living.
Court Mandates and Halfway Houses
- If you or someone you know is considering a sober living house, HealingUS is here to guide you every step of the way.
- Many people in sober living homes attend intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) or receive other outpatient addiction services.
- The rules in halfway houses vs sober living homes are designed to support residents in their recovery, but they vary based on the level of structure and the goals of each type of residence.
- Sober living homes prioritize fostering personal responsibility and self-reliance, while halfway houses emphasize legal compliance and reintegration into society.
- If you have an interest in starting a sober living home as a business, please visit
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. Permanent Supportive Housing is an alternative Halfway House vs Sober Living for people who have been homeless for a long time (PSH). PSH units are contained in a single structure or household for the most part.
