Thinking Of Living in a Halfway House? Here Are the Rules You Must Know About

Halfway homes – or sober living homes as they are typically called – are living facilities designed to offer a supportive and healing environment for individuals recently freed from prison or struggling with addiction, mental illness, or other issues. The structured setting in these transitional living facilities is a perfect option for individuals who have undergone primary treatment for their issues and need a safe and sober setting to rebuild their lives and re-enter mainstream society.

Halfway houses equip their residents with vital skills and habits to maintain their sober state on a long-term basis. Although each halfway home is different in size, most of these houses feature shared living spaces and communal meals to promote positivity and hope. Additionally, these houses also provide counseling and job training to prepare individuals for an independent and meaningful life.

If you are considering a short stay at a halfway house in Georgia, it is important to know what to expect, the benefits it will provide, and the rules of a halfway house you are expected to follow. Read on to explore all these and more.

Benefits of choosing a halfway home

Out there in a world filled with triggers and temptation, individuals may find it impossible to fight addiction or prevent them from relapsing. This is where halfway home gains significance. By providing a supportive setting where individuals can share experiences with similarly struggling residents, halfway homes ensure a non-judgmental ambiance that can be vital to keeping individuals motivated.

If you have just completed deaddiction treatment, there are numerous reasons why it would be a good idea to live in a halfway house rather than return home. Here are some of those reasons:

• Sober environment: Before gaining admission to a sober house, residents are usually required to sign an agreement. Residents who violate the terms of this agreement will be immediately expelled and redirected to a detox or treatment center.

• Make residents accountable for their actions: Taking accountability is a big step towards accepting that they need help with remaining sober. Halfway homes conduct drug tests and breathalyzers to ensure that residents are truly sober and not at risk of relapse. House meetings and community support promote accountability to motivate those striving to stay sober.

• Structured programs: Halfway houses are like bridges between rehab centers and the real world. Residents are expected to continue their studies, have a job, or volunteer for community service during their stay. This is incredibly helpful in empowering residents with the skills and confidence to lead a successful life after they leave the halfway house.

General rules while living in a halfway house

You cannot simply walk in, gain admission and live as you please in a halfway home. Living in sober houses involves strictly following certain rules and regulations to promote a positive and peaceful environment. Here are some of the rules imposed by most halfway homes.

1. You must maintain sobriety

Halfway houses have been designed to support individuals to achieve sobriety. Therefore, residents of halfway houses are mandated to abstain from alcohol and drugs. If residents test positive during random alcohol or drug tests, they will be immediately evicted.

• You have to participate in activities and programs

Halfway homes offer residents various programs and activities created to reinforce their recovery and keep them committed to completing the program. Programs may include counseling, awareness classes, group therapy, meditation, and job training. All residents are expected to participate in these programs to stay focused on recovery.

• You must respect curfew regulations

All halfway homes have curfew rules in place to ensure the safety of residents. This includes signing in and out of the facility, returning to the facility within the specified time, and notifying the staff if the resident will be staying away for extended periods. Curfews ensure that residents gradually get into a disciplined routine and do not engage in risky behavior.

• You must participate in housekeeping chores

Residents are expected to keep their living spaces tidy and participate in daily chores such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, and yard work. This promotes a sense of responsibility and equips them with vital life skills.

• You must attend meetings

Halfway houses organize regular meetings and counseling sessions designed to empower residents with coping strategies and offer them a safe space to share their feelings and fears.

• You must be respectful towards other residents

As mentioned earlier, halfway homes feature shared living spaces, and therefore it is important to adopt a respectful approach towards other residents. This also includes respecting personal space, privacy, and belongings.

• You must take charge of your life

If you had to quit your studies because of treatment, you are expected to resume education once you begin living at a halfway house in Georgia. If you have a job, you must show up for work every day, and if you don’t have a job, you must begin actively applying for one.

• You must agree to random alcohol or drug tests

As part of maintaining sobriety, residents are expected to cooperate with drug and alcohol tests. These will be randomly conducted for all residents.

Other applicable rules include:

• You must have a sponsor
• No pets allowed
• No visitors allowed without the approval of staff
• No violence, fighting or verbal threats will be tolerated within the facility
• Residents are not allowed in any rooms other than their designated spaces
• Residents must not steal or destroy personal belongings of other residents

Final word

After a harrowing period of confinement or addiction, life at a halfway house can be a gateway towards rebuilding one’s life. With the support, guidance, and sober environment at these houses, residents can successfully overcome their addiction and smoothly transition into society.

However, as you now know, living at a halfway house comes with its set of rules that every resident must adhere to. Although the rules may seem harsh, remember that it will substantially improve the chances of residents completing their recovery program and maintaining sobriety.

If you are dedicated to turning your life around, willing to work towards it, and committed to keep going no matter what, a halfway house can aid your efforts and help you get your life back on track.