Halfway Houses for Women in Recovery

Halfway houses were created to maintain long-term recovery for individuals who are recovering from addictions. Halfway houses are not treatment centers or rehabs, but solely a drug- and alcohol-free environment where recovering addicts can continue their recovery.

Identification

• Halfway houses sometimes called recovery or sober houses. They are generally found in residential areas or neighborhoods. Some halfway houses consist solely of people who have been released from jail, while others hold those with mental health disorders and those recovering from substance abuse.

Features

• Halfway houses are important to addicts' recovery due to the effects and pressure of the "real world" on an addict. According to Recoveryconnection.org, the support that an addict receives in a halfway house from another recovering addict can be greater than family support.

Treatment

• According to Choosehelp.com, halfway houses can require drug testing. Houses may even have 12-step program meetings and social education meetings. Most halfway houses request mandatory employment or some kind of work program for their residents. The idea, according to Choosehelp.com, is to get residents excited about being sober and not returning to drugs or alcohol.

Facts

• The average stay is three to six months. Entering and leaving is generally a voluntary process.

Warning

• Halfway houses are strictly a safe environment for those recovering from addictions. It is entirely up to patients, once they leave the halfway house and enter back into the "real world," to continue with their treatment.