Clinical studies show that freshly recovered addicts from a rehab program who, instead of going home directly, stay in a halfway house for a few months have a better life in the future.
This is because the house trains them to live a sober life. When you are in a rehabilitation program, you are struggling to free yourselves from the substance you abused. You undergo detox; you address your nutritional deficiencies; you try to fight the ‘demons’ (emotional troubles) inside you.
You have no time to live sober. You are trying to become sober.
After you come out of rehab, you are sober; but don’t know how to live like a sober. It would be risky to go back into society – the place where it all started (your drug or alcohol abuse).
According to experts, a better decision is to move to a halfway house.
This gives you time to acclimatize to your new sober life. The disciplined life of the house goes a long way in keeping you sober for almost a lifetime.
How to live in a house?
You ought to abide by the rules to live here. The rules are strict. Break them even once, and you are out of the house.
There is no particular way of living in a house. Just be sober all the time. This is the most important part. Besides, you aren’t allowed to do drugs or drink alcohol here, not even once.
So, when you come to live in a house, come here with a mindset to change your life for the better. Be strong in your resolve. Within a month or two, you will see an astounding change in yourself.
Come here with your belongings such as clothes, books (if you love to read), musical instruments (if you love to play a guitar or other), and other essentials. The house gives inmates a couple of hours daily for recreation. So, make sure you have the necessary things to pursue your hobby. Some houses also feature music therapy.
You will live in a room. Some houses have shared rooms, while others may provide rooms for a single inmate.
You will be provided with healthy meals and necessary therapy sessions here.
Some houses urge their inmates to find a job. It is a good idea to seek employment, as it gives you financial freedom. You get a chance to prove yourself worthy at the workplace and build a brighter future.
What happens when you live in a house?
You become more confident, more comfortable with the routine, and get an urge to do something constructive in life. The positive atmosphere of the house plays a role in your change.
And this is thanks to the strict rules of a halfway house. For if there were no strictness in rules, people would have succumbed to their cravings. Some of the most reputable houses are highly strict in rules and routines.
Make sure you are in a reputable house and not just in any house.
As you wake up early and indulge in positive activities, you begin to see a wonderful change in your physical and mental health. This is further strengthened by the nutritious meals you get. Waking and sleeping at a fixed time, eating at a fixed time, and doing most of the activities as per the clock help you become comfortable with the routine.
Routine instills discipline in a person. No, it’s not boring. In fact, it makes life interesting, as with routine, you learn time management. This makes you more productive. So, you are, in a way, paving a path to success.
Many people dread the routine and the rules of a sober facility. But little do they realize that these very rules are the secret to the wonderful transformation happening in inmates of the house.
Finding a house
Finding a house near you is easy. You may use the online halfway house directory that helps you locate a house nearby. You can find a halfway house in New York or any place that you live in.
The benefit of using a directory is that you get access only to reputable houses. Remember, only a quality atmosphere can help you create a quality life.
For more information, please visit the Halfway House Directory now.
FAQs:
Can my family visit me at the halfway house?
Every house has its own policy with regard to visitations. Some houses do not allow anybody from the outside world to enter, while others may have fixed days and times for family visits.
For how long should I live in a sober facility?
People usually live for 3, 6, or 12 months. It depends on how fast you adapt to a sober life. Some sober facilities mandate inmates find a job. The inmates pay monthly rent and can live for as long as they want. This is usually for those who have no family and no place to go.
Can I stay out at night?
No. One of the rules is to be inside the house at a particular time every evening. Every house has curfew hours.
What if I am unable to adjust with my roommate?
You are here to learn and unlearn things. One of them is to learn to adjust to living with strangers. One of the rules says: no fights between inmates of the house. Also, you must respect the other person’s privacy and property. You must not steal and damage others’ belongings.
If you have a difference in opinion, be mature and try to understand the other person. Everybody in the house is sailing in the same boat.
I found one of the inmates secretly smoking. Should I inform the staff?
This is a question of ethics. This is for you to decide. However, every house conducts random drug and alcohol tests, so, anyway, the inmate will be caught sooner or later. It is advised not to focus on such people. Focus on your own recovery and well-being. That’s what you are here for.