Rules are what can make or break an addict’s life in a halfway house. This is why not all halfway houses are reliable. An addict searches for a “halfway house near me” to find a peaceful residence after discharge from a treatment center. The halfway home is supposed to give him a stable, drug-free environment that helps him adjust to a new life post rehab. In doing so, it must implement halfway house rules and regulations in the interest of its residents. But, do all halfway houses do that?
How halfway homes aid in recovery of addicts
The sad truth is not all sober living homes are equally dependable. In many cases, the rules are openly flouted and there is no supervisory authority. And in others, the rules are almost the same as you would find in a drug rehab. Halfway houses are expected to keep residents away from drugs, alcohol, or whatever their addiction may be. They are transitional sober living facilities which are manned by a house manager and staff, most of who have been past addicts.
Residents in halfway houses can access individual and group therapy; they can look for work to pay their rents, and attend local AA meetings. They are usually made to undergo routine drug or alcohol screening tests to make sure they stay sober. How long an addict can stay in such facilities depends on how quickly he can recover and get back on his feet. Usually, a resident needs 3-12 months to get prepared to step back into society.
5 important rules that a halfway house should impose
While the rules may vary from one halfway house to another, there are some common rules which you will find being implemented in most facilities. Here are those rules:
- To start with, it is obvious that residents are expected to stay sober. This is why they check into a halfway home and they are forbidden to engage in any kind of substance abuse.
- Residents must go through routine drug and alcohol tests to prove that they are not indulging in their cravings. These are usually arranged for by the house manager who is also responsible for maintaining peace and decorum inside the house.
- Every resident is expected to help out with house chores, whether it is cooking or cleaning. He is encouraged to look for a job to pay for his accommodation. This ensures he is financially independent, self-sufficient, and ready to take on the world.
- Residents cannot physically or verbally abuse or hurt one another or damage belongings of others. They cannot destroy or steal someone else’s property. There are proper night curfew rules that must be respected by one and all. The house manager will typically penalize a resident for violating these.
- All residents should participate in the 12 steps of AA and attend local AA meetings regularly. They should have already completed detox and rehab and must have a plan for therapy in the future.
It is important to realize that addiction is not something that just disappears overnight with medications. It is a lifelong commitment and recovery is filled with ups and downs. Moving back into your old life after rehab isn’t going to be easy. And a halfway house is there to help you go through this transition. So, it is extremely important that there are rules inside these facilities and residents obey them without fail.
