Often I am asked ‘where can I find a good halfway house?’ That can be a difficult question to answer these days.
The term ‘halfway house’ has come to mean different things in different parts of the country – for instance in Pennsylvania, a halfway house is a structured residential treatment center, whereas in Florida it might be a transitional residence following treatment. Additionally, the term halfway house tends to be associated with some stigma – there has been much in the news about ill reputed operations and overdoses at halfway houses.
The language used to describe the residential milieu is misleading, confusing, and can have negative connotations.
The good news is the industry has evolved to become far more professional and intentional in its language, primarily through the efforts of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). What was once known as a halfway house, three-quarter house, transitional house or sober living home now falls under the heading of recovery residence.
NARR has emerged as the unifying entity long needed in a field that lacked professionalization and standards for residential programs. NARR introduced nomenclature to more precisely identify and define what a particular residence does and offers, as well as a standard and certification process that will be discussed more fully in the Part 2 follow-up to this article.
NARR defines recovery residence as a “sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems.”
-Beth Fisher
NARR defines recovery residence as a “sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems.” A good recovery residence provides a community-based environment to initiate and sustain recovery – defined as abstinence from alcohol and other non-prescribed drug use, and improvement in one’s physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing.
Through NARR, recovery residences are now categorized under different levels based on the type as well as the intensity and duration of support that they offer. The provided residential services span from peer-based community models (found in all recovery residences) to medical and counseling services in recovery residences offering higher levels of support. The level titles and descriptions are designed to be simple, descriptive and intuitive. Higher residential levels describe higher levels of service and structure. Delineating recovery residence levels allows the consumer to identify and match the service need to the appropriate level of residence.
Here is a Look at the Recovery Residential Levels:
Level 1: Peer Run Recovery Residence
Side Note PictureLevel 1 recovery residences offer supportive housing in a community-based peer environment. These recovery residences are commonly known as sober homes, and are most often found in single family residences. Oversight of residents is peer-based within the home; residents are self-monitoring and accountable to each other. The primary criterion for this living environment is a willingness to be abstinent of mood altering substances. Self-help (i.e. 12 step) meetings and outside recovery support services are encouraged or required. Weekly house meetings are a standard component, where chores and overall house functioning is processed within the community.
While there is no paid staff at this level of support, there is often an overseeing operator who facilitates admissions and discharges to the home, and is available if there are house issues that cannot be resolved internally. There are no in-house services offered at this level, except the benefit of living in a supportive community.
These peer-run facilities are best utilized by the individual who has physically and psychologically stabilized for a period of time from substance use, and would benefit from a sober environment that enables them to implement personal recovery in a safe community. They are appropriate for a more mature individual who has established adult living skills, is able to self-regulate, and is committed to recovery.
This level of support is desirable in that it tends to be cost contained. Length of stay varies and is open- ended – generally from 90 days to several years.
Level 2: Monitored Recovery Residence
Side Note Picture Level 2 residences are characterized by a community-based environment supervised by a senior resident, house manager, or staff member. This staff member monitors operations and residents, and enforces structure that is implemented in the form of house rules or standards. There is an emphasis on community and accountability that manifests in a culture of peer support.
The living environment can be any type of dwelling, but most commonly is a single family residence with shared bedrooms. Like level 1, this setting often proves to be quite cost effective; length of stay varies and is open-ended. At level 2 some degree of ‘programming’ is offered in-house and often in collaboration with outside service providers such as outpatient programs. Support groups may be offered in-house.
The approach for the level 2 residence can best be summarized as a community-based model. This level is appropriate for the individual with some intrinsic motivation who would benefit from a nominal level of structure and support. The model is desirable in that it allows for an increased ability to access services over a longer period of time due to the affordability of the service models.
Level 3: Supervised Recovery Residence
Side Note PictureLevel 3 residences are noted for their practical, rehabilitative approach. They provide an increased level of structure and oversight, and often utilize a clinical component of some kind, i.e. outpatient or aftercare services from a collaborative entity. This level offers life skill-oriented programming in-house or in cooperation with other service providers. Guidance is provided for the development of life skill and recovery sustaining activities, i.e. employment, self-help, physical health, etc. Case management and clinical services are contracted in, or accessed in the outside community.
The residence itself can be quite varied – from an individual dwelling, to apartments or town homes, or perhaps a large dorm-like structure.
This level is appropriate for the individual who needs a higher degree of structure and support, perhaps coming out of a stabilizing residential treatment center.
Level 4: Service Provider Recovery Residence
Side Note PictureThis type of recovery residence provides peer-based services plus life skills and clinical programming. It is most often aligned or attached with a licensed treatment provider, and overseen by an appropriately credentialed and qualified management team. This level is characterized by a high degree of daily structure. Licensed and credentialed staff members provide in-house program services.
The residential facility is typically part of the continuum of care for an overseeing rehab institution. All types of residences and occupancy numbers can be found at this level, depending on the program. Average stays vary from several weeks to several months, depending on the acuity of the individual. Emphasis is placed on equipping the individual for the next phase of recovery, be that another residential level, or independent living.
Fees and demographics associated with this residential level vary considerably. This is the only level that managed care insurance will consider reimbursement for at the present time.
This is an appropriate level for the individual that needs a high degree of structure and support – someone new to the recovery process and/or needing life skill development.
Why the Recovery Residence Name Matters
The delineation of a recovery residence continuum model offers an unprecedented degree of professionalism to a portion of the field of addictions recovery that has heretofore been laden with stigma. Those that refer to themselves as recovery residences, rather than halfway houses, are more likely to aspire to professionally accepted protocol of operation, and ideally adhere to certified standards. Residential standards and characteristics of quality RR’s will be covered in subsequent articles.
As posted on rehabs.com on August 5, 2014 by Beth Fisher
