Each sober-living home runs differently but all of them help support you as you begin the recovery journey in the real world. With a focus on providing a supportive, safe environment, Sober Apartment Living’s homes are designed to help you succeed in your recovery journey. Whether you’re just starting to rebuild your life or need a stable, drug-free space to continue your progress, Sober Apartment Living offers a community and resources to support you every step of the way. Some facilities provide residents with a lot of structure and assistance in order to help them stay on track with their recovery, while others are less structured. The expense is another significant distinction between sober living and halfway houses.

Sober living homes have rules and regulations all residents are required to follow. This can include anything from consenting to regular drug screenings to sticking to curfews. Sober living homes can be a meaningful platform from which someone who is at the start of their sobriety journey can gradually strengthen newly acquired life skills and coping mechanisms. Transitional Housing is distinct from Permanent/Supportive Housing, which is meant for those with special needs such as physical or mental illness, developmental disabilities, or drug addiction. Permanent Supportive (or Supported) Housing (PSH) is a type of housing that combines rental assistance with individualized, flexible, and voluntary support services. A covenant that impedes the usage by a disabled person of facilities open to the public or public government programs likely runs afoul of the ADA.

Halfway houses are essentially dormitories for adults, which are generally less expensive but more crowded. In fact, these dwellings are usually used by individuals who have just been released from prison and need a place to get back on their feet. On the whole, halfway houses are not the perfect fit for those searching for an aftercare program following addiction treatment. When it comes to addiction recovery, halfway houses are another option that individuals may consider on their path to sobriety.

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Disparate impact cases involve “facially neutral” policies that have a disproportionately adverse impact on a protected class. In addition to forbidding disability-based discrimination, the FHA and ADA affirmatively require “reasonable accommodations” when necessary to allow a disabled person the full use and enjoyment of housing or public facilities. You should note that the type, level, and scope of services they provide may vary significantly depending on the facility.

• The halfway house serves as a “bridge” to help them reintegrate into society while continuing their rehabilitation.
• It is important for residents to understand that financial responsibility is a part of maintaining their sobriety and is an essential part of their recovery journey.
• Moreover, residents in halfway houses may be court-mandated to live there, which can further limit their autonomy.

Residents can come and go within the guidelines set by the home, fostering a sense of independence essential for rebuilding their lives. In sober living homes, residents enjoying more privacy and less strict oversight can focus on building community ties and personal growth at their own pace. Meanwhile, the structured financial obligations and rules found in halfway houses can create additional pressure, which may influence some residents’ experience in maintaining sobriety. Sober living homes are group residences tailored for individuals who are either in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction or have completed formal rehabilitation.

With a commitment to long-term recovery, we tailor our services to meet your unique needs and ensure you receive the best care possible. Recovery homes typically provide access to therapy, support groups, life skills training, and employment assistance. If these resources align with your goals and needs, a recovery home may be the best fit. Halfway houses, on the other hand, focus on gradually reintegrating individuals into society, often requiring participation in support group meetings, house chores, and employment or educational activities. If you feel these transitional services are what you need, a halfway house may be the better choice.

What’s the Difference between Sober Living and Halfway Houses?

Consistent with Congress’s instructions, federal courts and the DOJ have consistently found that both “alcoholism” and “drug addiction” can qualify as a “physical or mental impairment.”  See 24 C.F.R. §100.201(a)(2). Importantly, though, protection does not extend to any impairment resulting from “current, illegal use of a controlled substance.”  Id; see also 42 U.S.C. § 12111(8). Often times health insurance benefits will provide some coverage for behavioral therapy, which can also make it more affordable for clients in recovery. Group therapy for addiction recovery refers to a group session in which an addiction counselor leads a discussion among a group of sober people in a safe and controlled, clinical environment.

• These homes prioritize the overall well-being of residents and provide a range of services to support addiction recovery, such as therapy, support groups, and life skills training.
• While many of these rules seem like they are normal rules of life, they are sometimes things that we must relearn in our recovery process.
• They both provide an alcohol- and drug-free environment for those in recovery.
• However, because high-quality sober houses are still somewhat supervised, you must adhere to the sober house’s basic regulations.
• Ongoing support and community can improve everyone’s chances of continued recovery.
• In most countries, people can still vote in election and attend higher education while in a group home.

What is the Difference Between Sober Living Homes and Halfway Houses?

Halfway houses are frequently government-funded or supported by nonprofit organizations, allowing them to offer services to a broader range of individuals, including those recently released from incarceration. Conversely, sober living homes may operate on a private basis or receive state funding, focusing specifically on individuals in recovery from substance abuse. These differences highlight how sober living homes tend to provide a more supportive, voluntary space for recovery compared to the structured, mandated environment of halfway houses. However, most halfway homes have the goal of supporting you to recovery through a structured environment. They offer a higher level of focus on social support, giving you someone to talk to and help you. They also provide the same types of services most sober homes do, such as helping you to make it to 12-step meetings and teaching you life skills.

Halfway houses likely have a limit to how long you can stay there and while some sober-living houses have this as well, not all of them do. The cost of staying in a sober-living home depends on the location and amenities but most homes try to keep it moderately priced so everyone can afford to stay there. Even after the client has moved into their new home, the housing case manager’s work does not end. They’re also in charge of keeping track of the client’s housing stability and health after they’ve found a place to live. This can be accomplished by maintaining regular contact with the landlord and/or making random house visits.

What Are the Rules and Requirements in a Halfway House?

Some facilities require a minimum number of days of sobriety from substance abuse, but many will work with you to determine if you’re a good fit. Halfway houses, like other recovery and sober-living houses, are intended to gently reintroduce tenants back into society, free from the pressures and triggers of a potentially dangerous home environment. Living in a sober-living home gives you accountability to yourself and to the other residents there. Ongoing support and community can improve everyone’s chances of continued recovery. Halfway houses are also usually funded by treatment centers or the government, which means if the government decides to cut their funding, people may end up having nowhere to go. People are expected to be responsible for themselves and their decisions but there’s also likely a home or resident manager who enforces the house rule.

Residents in sober houses have complete autonomy while being held accountable by peers and/or supervisory personnel. Clinical supervision may be available in some long-term sober living homes, but not all of them. We know that sober living is the basis of lifelong recovery, and our team at Riviera Recovery is here to support you each step of the way.

Residents usually cover their own living expenses, allowing for greater independence and control over their recovery journey. If you are interested in finding a sober living home for you or a loved one, we encourage you to visit for more information. If you have an interest in starting a sober living home as a business, please visit

Sober Living or Halfway House? What’s the Difference?

If you are able to be a part of a recovery residence, it will be important to understand what type of environment is group home vs halfway house present. Design for Change is located in beautiful Lancaster, California where you can enjoy a welcoming environment while undergoing treatment. Contact us by phone, email, or online and let us help you get started on a happier, healthier lifestyle. Halfway houses are very similar to other sober-living residences, and it’s no surprise that people often confuse them.