To figure out whether you or someone you love should go to a halfway house after completing inpatient treatment, the first step is understanding what a halfway house is and who can benefit the most from one. If you are looking into halfway houses in your area, read on to learn more about them and their functions before you make your final decision.
What is a Halfway House?
Too many people have a bad idea of what a halfway house is due to television shows and movies that depict them in a negative light. While it is true that some halfway houses will be poorly managed when compared to others, this does not mean that they are not a good idea. A halfway house is a housing area that many men and women come to after leaving inpatient rehab but before making their way to their original home. It is a transitional type of housing that is only meant as a short-term solution.
While some people come to a halfway house after leaving prison or from the streets, many come from inpatient treatment centers. Some may also come to a halfway house after going through outpatient treatment. Many even continue outpatient treatment for their addiction while living in a halfway house. You may also hear this type of residence referred to as a sober living facility. The main goal of a halfway house is to help a person who may still be struggling with the triggers and temptations of the outside world while they maintain their sobriety.
What Happens in a Halfway House?
While a halfway house is not as strict as inpatient rehab, it is not as lenient as living on your own would be. You will need to follow the rules of the halfway house to continue living there. Many require their residents to undergo frequent drug testing and breathalyzers. If you cannot pass one or both, you will likely be asked to leave.
While every halfway house will be different, you can expect the same general rules from each one. They may include the following:
• Residents must follow a curfew every day, even on the weekends.
• Residents must participate in daily chores and work around the home. This includes keeping your room clean and tidy while pitching in on the household chores.
• Residents are expected to stay clean and sober and submit to frequent drug tests and breathalyzers.
• Residents will be expected to actively look for a job or keep their current job. Some halfway houses allow you to go to school while staying there.
• Residents will not be permitted to bring friends to the halfway house.
• Residents will be asked to maintain personal hygiene while in the home.
• If you break any of these rules, you may be reprimanded, or you may be asked to leave permanently.
Who Will Benefit From a Halfway House Stay?
It can be difficult to make the transformation from round-the-clock rehab to your normal, everyday life. If you go straight back into the life you left for rehab, you may easily fall back into the same old habits that got you there in the beginning.
A halfway house is a good idea for any addict who is committed to staying sober. However, there may be some addicts that will benefit the most. This includes addicts who may not have a safe and stable home to go to right out of rehab or the person who knows they cannot face their old friends that they used to get high or drunk with. Instead of being faced with the triggers that cause you to use drugs or alcohol, you can safely surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
Many addicts benefit from the structure and stability of a halfway house as they slowly put their life back together. You can look for a job if you did not have one before rehab or if you lost your job because you became a patient. You can slowly mend damaged relationships with family and friends on your own time. You can give yourself the time and space that you need to get back on track before you commit to your old home or a new one.
Getting the Help You Need
Before heading to a halfway house, you will want to get the help you need the most from a reputable rehab facility. Whether you choose an inpatient rehab or an outpatient program, let us help. Give us a ring now at 833-610-1174. We can’t wait to get started!