As a person pursuing a master’s in social work who also works as an intake coordinator at a long term residential treatment center, Jared DeFlurin of Boston wants to work in an industry that is providing others with a chance to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. His work as an intake coordinator has taught him that halfway houses can be extremely beneficial to those on their road to recovery. Understanding that not everyone may know when it is time to consider substance use treatment, Jared DeFlurin of Boston hopes this article shines some light on what people can expect from a program.
For many people struggling with addiction, the most difficult part is admitting that change is needed. Once that realization hits home, the natural progression is to seek out the help of a medical professional or rehab center with a medical professional present who can oversee the detox process. Remaining in rehab for an extended period can be quite expensive. The thought of returning home is often quite overwhelming for a person in recovery. It’s easier to fall into old patterns when a person returns to the same triggering environment. When a person doesn’t have a strong support system to return to at home - or even a home to return to - Jared DeFlurin notes that a halfway house can provide the supportive environment a person needs.
While the most typical path to a halfway house is after leaving a rehab facility, people in recovery from drugs or alcohol who leave prison or find themselves without a home can find solace in a residential program. Jared DeFlurin notes that the reason people must undergo the medical detox process before entering a halfway house is that these facilities do not have the equipment necessary to properly aid people experiencing the harsh withdrawal symptoms that can accompany this period for a recovering addict. Many halfway houses will only admit people who pass breathalyzers or a drug screening. These tests ensure that a person has progressed to the proper point to join a halfway home.
People stay in a halfway house for various amounts of time, but it is typical for a person to stay between six months to a year. During this period, they can start to reassimilate into society and find gainful employment. By finding the structure of a job and stacking days of sobriety, people are allowed the opportunity to grow more comfortable with their new normal. There is a firm schedule that includes groups with counselors, outside commitments, and curfews. With a clear understanding that drugs and alcohol are not allowed in the house, people can provide themselves with an environment that increases the likelihood of maintaining their sobriety.
Jared DeFlurin explains that every halfway house has a different set of rules in place, but it is common for the house to require all attendees to actively attend community based recovery meetings, building a sober support network along the way. The hope is that a person will continue to attend these meetings long after they return home as they are proven to provide structure and stability for addicts in need.
Another common rule is a zero-tolerance policy towards fighting or violence of any kind with fellow residents or staff. A halfway house is not a hotel. Everyone is typically required to pitch in and do their fair share of chores. Most halfway houses will also keep track of a person’s job status and require that they are actively interviewing for employment if they are not employed. Finally, Jared DeFlurin notes that people who live in a halfway home are provided many freedoms, including the ability to take weekend passes when they’ve been earned.
When it comes to monetary costs, they can again vary based on the location and amenities provided, but they are much more affordable than rehab facilities. There are sober living homes that people can live in for as low as $100 a month and those that can run more than $2,000 a month. Understanding the position a recovering addict finds themselves in, halfway homes will usually allow for insurance to pay the costs or work to set up a payment plan that makes it easier on the person financially.
Jared DeFlurin is proud of the work being done at these programs, because he has witnessed people getting better over time. Every person deserves the opportunity for a second chance. A halfway home allows people to reenter society and adjust to a new life that is full of opportunity. After completing his Masters in Social Work, Jared DeFlurin will look to continue to work in an industry that is dedicated to treating others with respect and providing them with the resources they need to live a happier, healthier life.
