What Are Halfway Houses and Are Cell Phones Allowed?

Halfway houses are similar to sober living homes. They are transitional care facilities to help addicts and inmates prepare for going back out into the real world. After receiving substance abuse treatment in prison or going through a medical detox either in an inpatient or outpatient treatment center, a lot of people either aren’t comfortable going right back out to normalcy or don’t have any place to go. Halfway houses will help addicts and inmates transition and get back on their feet.

The National Institute of Health says:

Sober living houses are an excellent example of an underutilized modality that could help provide clean and sober living environments to individuals completing residential treatment, engaging in outpatient programs, leaving incarceration, or seeking alternatives to formal treatment. Findings from our study on SLH’s show they are utilized by a variety of individuals and that residents show improvement at 6 months follow up in a variety of areas, including substance use, work, arrests, and psychiatric symptoms. (NIH)

Sober living homes and halfway houses are generally the same and provide transitional care for addicts or inmates, but halfway houses are usually state-funded or sponsored, but can also be private-pay. Sober Living Residences such as New You Sober Living offers similar supervision to a halfway house but operates as a recovery residence and cell phones are allowed as part of the transitional living phase.

Halfway House Rules on Cell Phones

General Halfway House Rules

In halfway houses, individuals can come and go as they please, but you must stay sober! Most halfway houses will give residents drug tests when they return to the house after being out for the day. Residents do have to adhere to a curfew and 12-step meetings are usually a requirement. However, attending meetings allows the addict and inmates to meet others that are also trying to achieve recovery and grow their support system. Also, individuals must contribute to the house by doing chores. Another rule is that you must have a job or actively be seeking employment. Most houses are pretty lenient and will give residents at least a month to find a job. Having a job is important because each person is required to pay rent and is responsible for their bills.

Do Halfway Houses Allow Mobile Phones?

Each halfway house has its own rules in regards to cell phones. Halfway houses and sober living facilities provide a structured living for recovering addicts. The most important thing to remember is that each individual is here to work through recovery, stay sober, and be able to resume normal life on their own once they are discharged from the house.

Cell phones can be a huge trigger for some people. Cell phones are a privilege and not necessarily a need. This is why they are usually not allowed in inpatient treatment. The main focus is on the individual getting detoxed and starting their recovery. Once an individual has made the transition to a halfway house, they do have more freedom, and having a cell phone is one of those freedoms. Some houses will allow residents to have them, but they are taken at the end of each day and not given back until the next morning. This is a safety measure. It has nothing to do with control, but everything to do with protecting all residents and keeping them away from any triggers that having a cell phone may cause.

Transitional Care for Addiction And Alcoholism

If you or someone you love is looking for a premier, co-ed halfway house, we would love to have you here at New You Sober Living. When it comes to New You Sober Living, everyone at this Fort Lauderdale sober living residence treats everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve. We will help get you on the path to leading a successful long-term recovery, and our facility is beachfront so you can relax and find your inner self. Our team of specialists is available around the clock to assist you, so give us a call today.