A halfway house – also known as a sober living home – is a place to live for persons in recovery from alcohol or other drugs, often following a stay at a residential treatment center or while in an intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment program.

Today’s guest author, Sam Knight, is in recovery from heroin and alcohol addiction, and shares his research and expertise on halfway house scams in Florida. He is the Outreach Director for DetoxLocal.com, which helps people find detox anywhere in the country and provides extensive information on the detox process, and RecoveryLocal.org. “I am dedicated to connecting people with the resources and information they need to begin their recovery,” says Sam, and can be reached via email at sam@recoverylocal.org or by phone at (866)-518-1442.

Florida Halfway House Scams and How to Avoid Them (What is the scam and how to find a legitimate operation) by Sam Knight

Ah, Florida, the sunshine state. Also home to thousands in recovery and a hub for the sober world. And with a nationwide opioid drug epidemic this means it is only growing with thousands of detoxes, treatment centers, and recovery houses. When I first moved to Florida to get sober I had no idea of the magnitude of this booming industry, and one of the first terms I heard when I entered the halfway house scene was “Flop House.”

Where there is a booming industry there will be companies that cut corners for more profit, which has turned into a major problem for Florida recovery and insurance companies alike, even forcing a major provider to back out of the state completely. This is scaring loved ones affected by addiction and causing an uproar in the sober world. So how can you know where you or a loved one can find legitimate help in possibly the most critical time of your life? I hope I can help.

What is a Flop House?

A “flop house” is a term used to describe any house where clients are in and out, relapsing quickly with little support, but it more specifically describes the scams that are hurting insurance companies and losing people their coverage. Many of these houses will fly clients in from around the country, footing the bill only to drain their insurance coverage with little in return. Many offer IOP (Intensive Outpatient) programs, these sometimes are the biggest fraudsters, because they use insurance coverage to provide housing which is completely illegal.

These flop houses will charge for “IOP”, urine tests, breathalyzers, and a slew of other “fees,” often allowing clients to stay regardless of whether or not they’re sober. They will collect the urine then sell the tests for thousands of dollars to third party labs, making it worthwhile to fly clients in from out of state given tests are conducted once, sometimes twice, a week. When people think they are coming to get sober, they are only getting further enabled, and many are relapsing and even dying as a result.

A major investigation has been initiated by the FBI centered around illegitimate halfway houses. In response, one major insurance provider, Cigna, has pulled out of the Florida marketplace for the year 2016. More than 30,000 individuals will have to change insurers if they plan to keep a similar plan for 2016. The Palm Beach Post reported a case Cigna cited as part of their reasoning, where a client was charged over $300,000 for urine analysis’ of a nine month span. Luckily the state has taken notice, due to increased homelessness, crime, and the threat of more insurance providers backing out. So how can you know which houses are right for you and ensure a proper chance at recovery?

FARR – Florida Association of Recovery Residences

In 2011 the Florida Association of Recovery Residences was founded and has become a crucial provider of certification for Florida halfway houses. FARR ensures houses are conducting ethical and legal practices and are financially honest. A house that is FARR approved provides a significantly higher chance of recovery and accountability.

The non profit organization is affiliated with the national organization NARR (National Alliance of Recovery Residences) and operates under its standards and ethics. NARR is also a great resources if you live outside of the state of Florida. The standards for both organizations can be viewed at http://farronline.org/standards-ethics/standards/. FARR offers 5 levels of certification and what that means can also be viewed in detail at the link provided. If you or a loved one is seeking recovery housing FARR and/or NARR approval should be required. I lived at a FARR approved house myself, and it provided structure, accountability, and support from the operators and clients alike. It was a beneficial and a crucial point in my recovery, so don’t let the the thought of flop houses frighten you, because halfway houses can be a great resource for those trying to recover from an addiction, just be sure to use due diligence and research before entering a sober living environment.

You can call the operators of a house to make sure they are FARR or NARR approved, and it would also be useful to ask what recovery pathway their house supports (12 step, faith based, SMART, ect). You can also narrow down a few houses and ask to take a tour and meet some of the clients. At FARROnline.org>certification>certified-residences, you can find all FARR approved houses and it allows you to narrow down what pathway you are seeking, the level of certification, as well as the rent costs. Finding reviews from former house clients will also help your search. Houses with few reviews should be checked more thoroughly, as clients are more likely to leave reviews when they have had a positive experience and it has played a vital role in their recovery. Another useful thing to know is whether the houses are co-ed or gender specific. In my experience I have witnessed higher success rates at gender specific houses.

Conclusion

If you are one of the millions suffering from addiction and are planning to relocate to Florida, make sure you know exactly where you are going. I know from experience that the time frame of asking for help and actually getting help is fairly immediate, but this does not mean corners should be cut, because this is your life that depends on it.

Take every precaution before entering treatment or recovering housing. Call your insurance provider to understand your coverage and use the FARR directory. Many legitimate houses require rent out-of-pocket which can range anywhere from $150-250 a week or more including a security deposit, so know your budget as well. Many FARR approved operations do offer opportunities for scholarship and financial aid, so if you are not financially stable be sure to ask the operators what they offer.

Legitimate operations will also usually be weary of you as well, making sure only dedicated clients enter their operations. So an interview is also a good sign. Though it may be tempting, be cautious of those willing to pay travel expenses and lack of out-of-pocket costs. If you or a loved one needs immediate mental help, another great resource is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Visit SAMHSA’s Treatment Facility Locator website or call their national hotline 1-800-662-HELP.