Transitional Living

Transitional living, such as halfway houses and other residential programs are most often associated with substance abuse recovery; however, making careful plans for how and when to best introduce and integrate newly found skills into longstanding family and social systems is something that abuse and trauma survivors should be encouraged to consider very carefully, with guidance from and in collaboration with their coach. In short, whether a formal "transitional living" program on an informal decision to rent one's own apartment while gradually reintegrating within the family system, a period of independent living greatly bolsters the statistical odds of successful and sustained healing.

Whether a formal "transitional living" program on an informal decision to rent one's own apartment while gradually reintegrating within the family system, a period of independent living greatly bolsters the statistical odds of successful and sustained healing.

Whereas most survivors and their families weigh treatment options carefully, there is often relatively less consideration given to post-treatment living arrangements. This is due to a phenomenon in both recovering individuals and surrounding family members, wherein each are susceptible to the wistful idea that the proverbial storm has past. 

Suffice it to say that in the year following any course of intensive treatment, it is highly recommended that both survivor and family stay in counseling. This protective approach lends itself to the best possible outcome and best secures the substantial emotional (and, often, financial) investments that have already been made toward healing.  Furthermore, transitional living is arguably the most crucial phase of the entire healing process, not only because it is significantly chronologically longer than is treatment --- but also because it is, by definition, the stage in which survivors are charged with the responsibility of actually integrating all that they have learned into their daily lifestyle.

Transitional living facilities offer a wide array of program structures.  Most programs are gender-specific, for only men or only women; however, some offer co-ed campuses.  Transitional houses usually mandate that residents some form of either peer-based or professional support (such as 12-step meetings or counseling services, respectively). Most also require residents to secure employment.  Many offer intensive structure such as delegation of chores and stipulation of curfews, allowing for incrementally increased freedom as residents demonstrate incrementally increased responsibility.  Accommodations can also vary greatly, ranging from private rooms to shared rooms, and some programs are even pet-friendly.

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