Halfway Houses in Utah / Sober Living Utah
A halfway house in Utah (also known as Sober Living Utah), are places for recovering addicts to stay while on their road to recovery. People choose to stay in halfway houses for many different reasons, including:
- Unstable life at home
- Lack of a support system at home
- The thought of living at home after rehab is a trigger for the individual
- There is no place to call home
If any of these circumstances sound familiar to you, consider looking into Halfway Houses or Sober Living homes in Utah. They can offer not only shelter, but also a strong support group you can trust.
What is a halfway house (exactly)? And, how to get accepted into a halfway house?
As previously stated, a halfway house (or Sober Living home), is a place for people to live when recovering from drugs or alcohol addiction. People who are just completing a long-term rehabilitation program, leaving prison or a homeless situation may turn to a halfway house in order to stay sober. While others may seek out a sober living home as they start their road to recovery. Additionally, some people are court ordered to reside in a halfway house.
Wondering how to get accepted into a halfway house?
Many halfway houses will require residents to pass a drug screening test prior to their move-in date. This is due to the fact that these homes are not designed, or equipped, to deal with detox or withdrawal symptoms. The ideal candidate for living in a halfway house would be someone who has already detoxed, and completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. However, this is not a requirement. Newly sober individuals who have already gone through the detox process, and are willing to stay sober and commit to living by the house rules, also have the option to live in sober housing. That said, a Sober Living home (or halfway house) serves as transitional housing in most cases.
The length of time spent in a halfway house varies person to person, a general amount would be between 4 to 12 months. This ensures the individual has enough sobriety time under their belt, the chance to secure a job and get back on their feet.
What can I expect from a halfway house?
When compared to inpatient treatment programs, halfway houses are typically less strict and allow for more freedom. Yet, they supply more structure and support than you may get at home. You are allowed (even encouraged) to get a job and/or attend university while living in a halfway house. But you are still required to put forth effort into your recovery by receiving counseling and/or attending AA meetings, Al-Anon, or 12-step programs.
Rules / Guidelines when living in a Halfway House
I think it goes without saying, rules will vary from house to house.
However, there are some guidelines that are common in most sober living homes. If you move into a halfway house, you also agree to all their terms and conditions. Violation of these terms have consequences, including but not limited to: fines, legal action or even eviction.
Common rules / guidelines halfway houses enforce:
- Expectation to remain sober for the time you are living in the halfway house. Random drug testing will occur.
- Violence or fighting among residents is never accepted.
- Household chores will be assigned and you must contribute.
- No stealing from the house or its residents, and no wrecking property.
- Every halfway house has a nightly curfew you will be required to follow.
- All residents must attend 12-step programs and/or other recovery meetings.
- You will receive help in getting a job, and expected to put forth effort it getting one.
How much does a Halfway House or Sober Living home cost?
Great question.
The cost to live in Sober Living homes range from fairly cheap ($100-$300 a month), to pricey (some over $2,000 a month). The average cost of Sober Living in Utah is about $400-$600 a month. You can plan on spending about the same amount of money per month as you would pay for rent in an average apartment.
Some Sober Living homes are covered fully, or partially, by insurance. If you’d like to know whether your insurance covers the cost of Sober Living, we suggest contacting your provider directly. In some cases, you’ll be required to meet a deductible or co-pay before insurance will aid in the cost of living in a halfway house.
Here are a few options that may help you cover the cost of staying in a Sober Living home:
- Grants or Scholarship programs
- Personal savings accounts.
- Bank loan or credit cards
- Borrowing money from friends or family
- Insurance
- Setting up a payment plan with the Sober Living home
Is a Halfway House right for you?
For some, halfway houses can be incredibly beneficial in their journey to recovery. However, these houses are not right for everyone. If you think that you, or a loved one, would be a good candidate for Sober Living, contact your doctor or therapist for a recommendation. Those who are due to complete an inpatient treatment program are likely to be offered options of Sober Living homes post-rehab.