If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, you are far from alone. Based on the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health results, more than 40 million Americans over the age of 12 have had a substance abuse disorder in the past year. For this reason, many individuals turn to halfway houses to get clean.
What Is a Halfway House?
Although the term “halfway house” is common when discussing drug treatment options, not everyone knows what they are. In truth, there are several types of halfway houses, but the main factor is that they are sorts of sanctuaries for individuals who are struggling with various emotional, mental and physical disabilities. When it comes to substance abuse, a halfway house serves as a safe space for people to overcome addiction while achieving sobriety.
Sober Living vs Halfway House
Sobriety is not easy for everyone to obtain. While sober living vs halfway house living may seem like a simple choice, many factors contribute to the reasons why someone may not be able to live substance-free on his or her own.
For men and women who cannot maintain sobriety, sober living homes are another option to consider. With a halfway house, there is continuous community support and care during addiction recovery whereas rehab centers generally sponsor sober living houses for a more limited duration. When it comes down to it, sober living homes are more individualistic.
When To Consider a Halfway House
When you are figuring out how to maintain sobriety, it can sometimes be difficult to know if you need to go to a halfway house or not. The truth is, no one can answer this question for you. However, if you or your loved one is unable to be self-sufficient, it may be time to consider the possibility of going this route.
In general, halfway house environments offer a solution to healthy living when most other support resources are no longer available. With that said, they can also serve as beneficial solutions that are not last resort. In other words, getting help from a halfway house or sober living center soon than later can have benefits, too.
Halfway House Types
In addition to sober living homes, there are several other types of halfway houses to know about. While sober living homes help individuals facing substance abuse recovery, other types of halfway options include restitution centers, residential correctional facilities and transitional housing options.
To understand halfway houses, looking at each of these types of solutions is necessary. Typically, restitution centers act as alternatives to traditional incarceration. Instead of going to jail or prison, residents serve their sentences in these facilities. With transitional housing, the residence is voluntary. Individuals usually go to these types of halfway houses after leaving incarceration while they transition back into their communities.
If you or someone you love needs help with a current living situation due to mental, physical or emotional problems or because of substance abuse, a halfway house may be one solution worth considering.