The article presents the author’s interpretation of the relatively new for Russian sociology “social reclusion” and “social seclusion” concepts, in the discourse of which an analysis of some historical and modern practices of voluntary and forced (under the influence of institutions or force majeure circumstances) social withdrawal was carried out. The study notes that social reclusion/seclusion doesn’t always occur in conditions of social isolation – the number and intensity of social ties can decrease, but not be reduced to zero, which prevents loneliness. At the same time, social withdrawal can take place in conditions of physical isolation – in a reclusorium, which in modern society often becomes the dwelling itself. In this regard, special attention is paid to home reclusion/seclusion, a tendency to which is observed both in adolescents (basement dwellers in the USA, NEET in Europe, hikikomori in Japan), and vice versa in the elderly and people with disabilities. Various factors and phobias associated with the reluctance to leave the house are analyzed, as well as the possible consequences of staying at home, one of which is a lonely death without witnesses. In conclusion, a number of hypotheses are put forward, as well as problems and prospects for research on home reclusion.