A halfway house is a drug-free facility in which individuals recovering from drug or alcohol problems can live. These homes get the name "halfway" because people with substance abuse problems who use them are halfway between requiring full supervision and being able to live independently. The halfway house provides the former drug user a safe, supportive environment in which to practice living drug-free in a world filled with the temptations of drugs. These residences are located in regular neighborhoods within communities. Halfway houses vary in terms of their size, sources of financial support, and kinds of treatment they offer. Some specialize in alcohol abusers or drug abusers, while some serve both; some focus on specific groups such as criminal offenders, adolescents, or women.

See Also

Treatment: History Of, in the United States; Treatment Types: an Overview.