Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to living in a sober house (halfway house), there are a lot of misconceptions about what it actually entails. Many people believe that sober houses are full of criminals and miscreants. Traditionally, halfway houses were intended to provide housing for people recently released from incarceration or people with mental disabilities. It would help them to slowly acclimate them to regular society. Essentially, they’re group homes meant to provide safety for its residents and the surrounding community. However, today, living in a sober house is so much more.

WHAT IS A SOBER HOUSE?
WHAT IS A HALFWAY HOUSE?
WHO RUNS AND PAYS FOR THE HOUSE?
HOW LONG CAN I STAY?
HOW MUCH ARE THE PROGRAM FEES?
SOBER HOUSES- DO THEY WORK?
WHAT IS A 12-STEP PROGRAM?

WHAT IS A SOBER HOUSE?

The newer and more realistic look at sober houses is a lot more palpable. Now, sober houses are primarily properties owned by a third party, separate from treatment centers. They are a buffer for recently discharged clients between the protection of treatment and the real world.

WHAT IS A HALFWAY HOUSE?

A halfway house usually houses other newly recovering addicts and alcoholics. The halfway house sports a variety of rules such as primarily no drugs or alcohol usage, curfew enforcement, as well as possessing employment. Often times, clients are subjected to random drug testing as well as being breathalyzed. These rules help keep its residents accountable while still allowing freedom to live in the real world. It’s “halfway” between treatment and the outside world.

WHO RUNS AND PAYS FOR THE HOUSE?

Sober houses are usually their own entity and operate separately from any government body. There is no government funding. The residents of the sober house pay rent to stay in the home and the owner of the house maintains sole responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance. These sober houses typically employ the 12-step program of recovery as their philosophy, emphasizing meeting attendance and active participation in recovery.

HOW LONG CAN I STAY?

There is not set time limit. Each person makes progress at their own pace. As long as residents stay on course they may stay indefinitely.

HOW MUCH ARE THE PROGRAM FEES?

Each house has its own fee structure. Most fee in most houses is $125.00 per week which is due on Friday and late after Sunday.

SOBER HOUSES- DO THEY WORK?

The recidivism rates of residents of sober houses have long since been under scrutiny and up for debate. You will see both sides of the spectrum when it comes to sober living. Whether or not they are constructive rather than detrimental is up to you.

WHAT IS A 12-STEP PROGRAM?

A 12-step program is a set of principles designed to guide a person through personal recovery. The program is a step-by-step program guided by The Twelve Traditions, which outline the basic principles and beliefs of the program and help facilitate unity among members. The original 12-steps and traditions were pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and were first published in a book called Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (or the Big Book)by Bill W., the founder of AA. The 12-step program has been applied to hundreds of addictions and disorders, with people struggling with everything from eating disorders to “workaholism” going through the 12 steps.