Why Should You Consider A Halfway House After Rehab?

Whether you’ve been through an addiction rehab program yourself or you know someone who has, you’ve probably heard about halfway houses. A halfway house, or sober living facility, is a place where people can go after they’ve completed a rehab program yet aren’t ready to transition to living on their own. Halfway houses are usually group homes where recovering addicts can support one another with the help of an on-site staff. There are regular drug tests to ensure that residents remain sober, a schedule of chores and other activities, and other elements that make the transition from rehab to regular life a little bit easier. Many drug and alcohol rehab programs include a stay at a halfway house, but not all of them do, and not everyone who completes a rehab program will stay at a halfway house. And yet, there are plenty of benefits of doing so if you’ve struggled with drugs and alcohol.

More Recovery Time

Perhaps the biggest reason to consider staying at a halfway house after you’ve completed a rehab program is that it gives you more time to adjust to regular life. Going from a dependency on drugs or alcohol to being completely sober is a jarring experience, to say the least. Not only are you expected to cut out something that has become a major part of your life, but you’re also expected to change your lifestyle to stay free of drugs and alcohol. It’s a lot to ask of anyone, and not everyone will be able to make that transition right away without falling back into old habits. A halfway house gives you a little more time to recover and get used to sober living in a semi-controlled environment.

A Positive Atmosphere

One of the biggest reasons so many people relapse after completing an addiction recovery program is that they don’t come home to a positive environment. They often encounter the environmental factors that drove them to substance abuse in the first place, and they do so while they’re still relatively fragile and vulnerable to relapsing. Some of those factors will likely never go away, but a halfway house can provide a more positive environment that focuses on recovery and staying sober. Remaining in that kind of environment for a month or longer can often be exactly what someone in recovery needs to remain sober. By the time they’re ready to transition back into living completely on their own, they will do so with a clear head and be able to resist the temptation to use their substance of choice again.

Preparing for Education or a Career

Addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s education and career, so much so that returning to school or work after recovery can be difficult. A halfway house can help prepare their residents for resuming or starting a career or continuing their education. It’s not the primary goal of a sober living community, but being in a positive environment that shows how someone can rise above their addiction and be successful can work wonders for many people. You’ll have the time to brush up on the skills you need to find a job or a new school while learning how to overcome the stigma that our society still has for addicts, even recovering ones.

Developing Accountability

Finally, living in a halfway house for a while can teach you to be accountable for your own actions. Yes, you are in a fairly strict environment that requires you to be sober, but you’re also learning how to live a sober lifestyle. You’re learning skills that you need to hold down a job, attend school, and otherwise stay healthy and above the influence of drugs and alcohol. Most halfway houses also require you to be responsible for paying rent and covering other basic living expenses. It’s often not as difficult as living in your own home and supporting yourself without a safety net, but it does prepare you for it. That can go a long way towards making things easier for you when you are ready to move on and live independently.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs and alcohol, know that there is always help available. Contact us today at 614-705-0611 to learn more about our addiction recovery programs, whether or not those programs involve a stay at a halfway house. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have.