The group homes highlighted in news articles in the late 1970s and 1980s,5 and by the late 2000s, have been cited internationally as a symbol or emblem of the community movement. However, it is important to note that not all group homes house disabled persons. Assuming no other protected class is involved, a single-family restriction would likely be enforceable against a group home acting as a hostel or temporary housing for workers. In disparate impact cases, the duty to make “reasonable accommodations” generally involves allowing an exception or modification to the policy. So, for example, the association in the Hill case could probably retain its single-family covenant, but it would need to allow an exception in situations involving group homes serving disabled individuals.
Many people choose to stay in these homes while pursuing step-down levels of care like outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization (PHP). To ensure that the residents of a sober living home are actively participating in an addiction recovery program, such as counseling or a 12-step program, many of them require proof of participation in such programs. This evidence of progress can be in the form of meeting attendance records, sponsor contact information, and other documents related to their addiction recovery.
The History of Sober Living Houses
Those who enter these environments have less exposure to triggers — something that causes a person to think about or use drugs and alcohol again. It could be a family member, stresses from a job or just a specific memory of an environment. Whether you’re looking for Los Angeles rehab or sober living, the staff at Silicon Beach Treatment Center can help.
- Sober living homes have rules and regulations all residents are required to follow.
- They’re staffed by peer recovery specialists and house managers, who offer 24/7 support on site.
- Residents in halfway houses are frequently ordered by the courts to stay for a set period of time.
- Although halfway houses share a lot in common with sober-living homes, there are a few key differences that set them apart.
Living Arrangements Within the Home
Although they can occasionally be covered under health insurance plans, they are usually more costly when the payment is made by the patient. It is generally thought that sober living homes and halfway houses are the same, as they are both communal, sober homes shared by multiple people. 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.
Key Differences of Group Homes vs. Supportive Housing
Outpatient substance abuse treatment comes in a few different tiers, and some individuals attending outpatient treatment may also seek some form of recovery housing, such as a sober home. Halfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured. Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks. Other times, they function as a more intensive residential facility, meaning that there is consistent recovery programming, requirements, and staff present in the house.
Searching online isn’t always much help; articles that use the phrases “halfway houses” and “sober living” interchangeably add to the problem. For someone who’s recently sober, the period of adjustment after completing an addiction treatment program is an especially vulnerable time. Spending time in a transitional living environment can help sustain a person’s newfound sobriety. The nursing facility industry holds the position, often with its affiliated hospitals, that it decides on involuntary treatment of elders, which involves issues such as visitations. Nursing homes have had a very long history of reviews and complaints including to the federal level of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in the United States and have been the subject of major reform efforts. A “halfway house” is a group residence shared by recently or partially released former inmates.
Residents of a halfway house are required to pay a portion of their income toward their rent. The costs of halfway houses vary depending on the group home vs halfway house number of services and amount of privacy offered. If you’re on the fence about a halfway house or sober living program, Reframe can help. So, your first step should be to talk with your insurance provider about your needs.
