Although the term is of recent origin as used in connection with alcohol or drug treatment, the basic idea of the halfway house is almost two hundred years old. It designates a residential facility that provides a drug-free environment for individuals recovering from drug or alcohol problems but not yet able to live independently without jeopardizing their progress. By definition, halfway houses are not located in hospitals or PRISONS, but they vary in the extent to which they are integrated with local community life, and in size, sponsorship, sources of financial support, regulatory status (licensed or unlicensed by a state agency), treatment philosophy, and the degree of legal coercion to which residents are subject. Some specialize in alcohol abusers or drug abusers, while some serve both; some focus on specific population groups like offenders, ADOLESCENTS, or WOMEN, while others are inclusive. Some will accept only those...