Halfway houses
Halfway houses, also known as sober houses or transitional housing, are drug- and alcohol-free living environments designed for individuals in recovery from substance abuse. They provide a supportive and structured setting for those transitioning back into mainstream society after completing formal treatment programs. The concept of halfway houses originated in the 1940s with the establishment of the first facilities by Alcoholics Anonymous, aimed at creating a safe space for recovering alcoholics. Over the years, programs like Oxford House have expanded the model, emphasizing peer support among residents.
While halfway houses do not offer formal treatment, they focus on maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free environment and typically require residents to follow specific house rules, including participation in ongoing recovery programs. Stays in these facilities usually last from three to six months, and they can vary in their regulations, catering to diverse populations such as men, women, and individuals with children.
The growing opioid crisis and increasing awareness of addiction as a mental health issue have led to a rising demand for halfway houses. In the twenty-first century, these facilities have seen a surge in growth, offering crucial support to those recovering from addiction. Additionally, there is a noticeable push for inclusivity within the recovery community, with many halfway houses now catering to specific demographics, such as the LGBTQIA+ community. As the market for these facilities expands, they are increasingly viewed as essential components of recovery support services.
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Halfway houses
ALSO KNOWN AS: Sober houses, sober-living houses, transitional housing
DEFINITION: Halfway houses are drug- and alcohol-free transitional living environments for people in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. These houses provide a safe place for addicts and alcoholics to transition back into mainstream society.
Background
Recognizing the need for a safe environment for alcoholics in recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) established the first halfway houses in the 1940s in the United States (US). These group living facilities were called twelve-step houses and provided safety and support for alcoholics who were not ready or able to return to their lives before addiction.
In 1975, Oxford House was established by and for persons in recovery in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sixteen Oxford houses were established between 1975 and 1988. The Oxford House manual for running a group home was first published in 1978.
Several factors led to an expansion of the halfway house movement in the 1990s. One factor was the loss of residential treatment centers because of decreased government and private insurance funding for these centers. A second factor was the 1988 amendments to the federal Fair Housing Law. These amendments allowed recovering addicts and alcoholics to be considered persons with disabilities, giving those in recovery the right to live together as a “family” of unrelated persons. As part of the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act, all states were required to maintain funds for establishing sober houses based on the Oxford model, and, in the twenty-first century, halfway houses are found throughout the US.
Halfway houses are not licensed or accredited by the federal government, however, and they are restricted from offering drug and alcohol treatment. Instead, they are permitted to provide a drug- and alcohol-free environment. Also, halfway houses are limited to groups of unrelated adults struggling through addiction and working toward recovery. To receive government aid, halfway houses can accept only those persons who have completed or are involved in some type of formal treatment program.
Mission and Goals
Although halfway houses are not licensed to treat alcohol or drug abuse, they do provide support for the recovering addict or alcoholic. Other goals include providing a safe, structured, and affordable environment. Most people with substance abuse disorder come to a halfway house directly from detoxification and treatment programs. Some continue aftercare and outpatient care at a treatment center while living in the halfway house.
Government-funded halfway houses offer affordable rates, and payment is usually on a month-to-month basis. Although the average stay in a halfway house is three to six months, each house may have different arrangements. Most houses are run by a house manager, who is not required to have a special credential for the position. House manager selection varies greatly, as does establishing house rules and regulations.
A person seeking residence at a halfway house often gets a referral from a treatment facility. Houses may cater to men, women, women with children, and special populations. House rules for residences generally include remaining drug and alcohol-free, completing or attending a drug or alcohol treatment program, continuing to make payments for care, and avoiding negative or disruptive behavior. Other house rules may cover check-in times, visitors, attendance at house and twelve-step meetings, and completion of assigned chores and other responsibilities.
Sober living houses are similar to halfway houses but may have less stringent rules. A resident may be admitted without having completed or without involvement in formal treatment. These houses are less likely to be government-funded, may be more expensive, and may allow residents to remain indefinitely. Sober living houses provide an alcohol and drug-free environment and usually encourage attendance at self-help programs, such as AA.
Numerous studies have documented that the lack of a stable, alcohol- and drug-free environment is a significant barrier to any sustained recovery from addiction. Involvement in twelve-step groups and strong social support remain strong predictors of successful recovery. A variety of studies have shown that halfway houses improve treatment outcomes for both drug and alcohol addiction.
Several trends define the state of halfway and sober living houses in the twenty-first century. The opioid crisis, which had devastating social, health, and financial effects for many Americans, necessitated an increased volume of safe living situations for those suffering from substance abuse disorder. Increased attention to addiction as a mental health issue also increased demand. As the government increased its attention to policies related to substance abuse, halfway houses and sober living facilities received increased attention as well. There was also a push to increase the acceptance of diversity in the recovery community, and homes that catered to distinct populations, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, proliferated. Halfway houses and sober living facilities are an increasing business opportunity in the US, with the market expected to grow from $5.4 billion in 2023 to $9.5 billion by 2032. Finally, halfway houses have adapted to increasing technological advances throughout the twenty-first century.
Bibliography
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Hoffman, John. Addiction: Why Can’t They Just Stop? New York: Rodale, 2007.
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Jason, L. A., et al. "An Examination of Main and Interactive Effects of Substance Abuse Recovery Housing on Multiple Indicators of Adjustment." Addiction, vol. 102, no. 7, 2007, pp. 1114–21.
Polcin, D., et al. "A Model for Sober Housing During Outpatient Treatment." Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, vol. 41, no. 2, 2009, pp. 153–61.
Polcin, D., et al. "What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go from Here?" Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, vol. 42, no. 4, 2010, pp. 425–33.
"Sober Living Homes Market Size, Growth & Forecast 2032." Credence Research, 19 June 2024, www.credenceresearch.com/report/sober-living-homes-market. Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.