When you are done with your stay in rehab and ready to move on with your sober life, you will be faced with a couple of choices. Should you go straight home and back to your normal lifestyle? Should you head to a halfway home instead? There are a few factors to consider when you are ready to leave rehab, such as a stay in a sober living facility. If this is your first time considering this type of option, then you may not even know how a halfway home works. That can be a daunting question that will make it harder to decide what to do.
How does a halfway house work when you become a resident? You’ll feel much better if you have an idea of what to expect when you get a room in one of these homes. Let’s read on to learn what you can expect when you decide that staying in a halfway house will be the right decision.
What is a Halfway House?
A halfway house is often referred to as a sober living home. These homes are transitional facilities that many addicts live in when they aren’t quite ready to tackle their normal, everyday lives. It’s a place for recovering addicts to live together while they are transitioning from rehab back to normal life. Some residents may also be coming straight from jail.
If you are in rehab, whether outpatient or inpatient, you may not be ready to head straight home when the program ends. If this is the case, staying in a halfway house will be a good idea. Your counselor can help you find the right house for your situation before you leave therapy or at least point you in the right direction.
What to Expect at a Halfway House
You’ll be given your own room at a halfway house, but you may be expected to share everything else, including living areas and bathrooms. Every individual in a halfway house is there because they want to live in a more structured setting after rehab. You’ll be expected to follow all the rules and regulations of the center while you are there, especially concerning drug and alcohol use.
No one is permitted to drink or use drugs while they live in a halfway house. In fact, you will be drug tested and asked to submit to random breathalyzers during your stay. Failing either one even one time is cause for removal in most cases, so it is very important to stay clean while you are staying in a home.
You’ll be expected to contribute to the household while you are a resident. You will have to get a job or start school once you are given a bed there, and you will be expected to keep up with your commitments. Every halfway home will expect the residents to contribute to the cleanliness of the house by taking on different chores and responsibilities. These include keeping your room clean and neat and keeping up with all of your assigned chores every day.
Rules to Follow in a Halfway House
While the rules in a halfway house will not be as strict as those of a rehab, your stay will be more structured than if you headed home. You can expect the following rules while you are living there:
• Keep up with chores to contribute to the household
• No drug or alcohol use
• Adhere to a curfew
• Stay employed or in school
• No violence or fighting with other residents
• No stealing or destruction of another’s property
• Attend 12-step meetings
There will be someone in charge of the home during your time there. If you have concerns or questions, they will be happy to help. Don’t hesitate to go to them if you have a problem with anyone else in the home.
The cost of a halfway home will depend on several factors. Many are extremely affordable, costing between $100 and $500 a month. Some are more expensive, especially celebrity or luxury halfway homes. Your insurance may pay for all or part of your stay in a halfway house. Make sure you talk to your insurance representative to find out what they offer when it comes to a sober living home.
Your Sober Life Starts Now
It’s the perfect time to call our facility to learn what we offer. Contact us at 954-523-1167 to learn about the addiction treatment process, the rehab options we offer, and how you can get started on your new path to success. Don’t hesitate- your life starts here!