Is There a Difference Between a Sober House and a Halfway House?

Now, let’s talk about a few other types of recovery housing options. Recovery houses provide residents with a living environment that is free from drugs and alcohol. They are privately owned and operated, so residents living in recovery houses pay a weekly rent to live there. Recovery houses are much less specialized to substance abuse sober house treatment than a halfway house, but still, provide a safe space for those striving for sobriety to live. Where you live and how you feel in your environment are essential for functioning optimally in everyday life. Your environment significantly contributes to your mental health and your ability to cope with difficult situations.

Transitional housing programs have traditionally been located in dedicated, building-specific environments with more shared space and less private space than permanent housing surroundings. Sober homes can be apartments, complexes, or single-family homes. Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles.

Small Sacrifices are Worth the Many Benefits to Sober Living

Unlike inpatient treatment, residents in sober living have the flexibility to determine what they want to do in their free time and even get a job. At Boardwalk Recovery Center, our sober living residents are encouraged to find work to set up a strong foundation where they can provide a positive lifestyle for themselves in the future. Community is key in recovery, and living with individuals with a common goal makes early sobriety possible.

• Credit history, arrears, or any other legal concerns are examples of these impediments.
• The halfway houses in the U.S. host individuals that have just been released from prison.
• Additionally, a sober living home may offer resources like career support, housing assistance and so forth, but each sober living home will differ in its requirements.

Permanent Supportive Housing is an alternative 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. It can take several forms, ranging from a single room in a house to a number of or all of the units in a structure. 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

What is a sober living house?

Sober-living facilities are positive places where those who recently finished inpatient rehabilitation treatment, attended an outpatient program or left jail can reside with continued support. Individuals who live in these facilities are held accountable and are not tempted to use drugs or alcohol by their housemates. Because emotional and environmental triggers are minimized, the risk of relapse is reduced.

• “Dry homes” became places where those in recovery could live for continued support and accountability.
• A halfway house is a housing facility for individuals that have just left prison or jail.
• The organization promotes self-reliance and democracy within the house.
• Those who feel they need long-term accountability and community support can benefit from sober living homes.

These skills and resources help individuals transition smoothly back into regular society. Riviera is a health and wellness community that sets its goals around wellness, independence, and community. We have a team of experienced local addiction consultants who help you ease back into the community from a sober living facility. We offer multiple services, including weekly mentor meetings, nutrition meetings, 24/7 rehab consulting staff, food management systems, random drug testing, weekly social activities, and more. Sober living houses, like halfway houses, maintain a strict abstinence policy which may be enforced with drug testing. Additionally, a sober living home may offer resources like career support, housing assistance and so forth, but each sober living home will differ in its requirements.

How Sober Living Benefits Recovery

Both will help you hone your skills to minimize triggers and prevent relapse, and give you a supportive environment in the process. Halfway houses have rules to enforce the sober environment of the home. A strict abstinence policy is central to the policies of all halfway houses. Residents are expected to participate in rehabilitative programs and to complete all court-mandated requirements, such as community service. Sober living is just like it sounds, a place to stay where you’ll have a supportive community and can start your new life free from alcohol or other drugs.

This is because such activities help former inmates repair the relationships that they had before they were arrested. Now let’s compare the benefits of a halfway house vs. sober living home. Back then, sober living homes acted as “dry” hotels that didn’t allow their residents to consume alcohol. These housing facilities are made just for people that are new to recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. Since sober living typically follows addiction treatment, getting a referral from the treatment provider is recommended. Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family.