Sober Living Homes

Sober living houses have existed since the mid-1800’s, but they have gone through many changes. The movement started with homes associated with the Washingtonian Temperance Society in Boston in the 1800’s, and in the 1900’s, homes associated with Alcoholics Anonymous became popular (Twelfth Step Houses).

Recovery Residences (RRs) are organized into four categories, or “levels,” by the NARR. The levels describe the intensiveness of the program and the level of care provided. Level 1 houses provide almost no recovery-orientated structure (other than requiring residents to attend mutual support groups or the like), while Level 4 houses are considered “Therapeutic Communities” and share much in common with residential inpatient treatment. In-house therapy and sometimes even medical services are provided. While there are fundamental differences between the levels (discussed below), their basic purpose is all the same – to provide a substance-free environment where people can continue their recovery while relying on support from their peers. Additionally, they share the following features in common.

• Peer Support: Forming relationships with others who are in the process of recovery can provide encouragement and inspiration – especially from those who are further along in the process.

• Drug-Free Environments: Many patients who have been through treatment have no other option but to return to living environments where drug or alcohol use is either present or readily available. RRs provide a place to live where drugs and alcohol are neither present nor allowed.

• Full-Time Residential: All levels of RRs require residents to stay there full time. While some may allow a day or two away occasionally, most require a 100% commitment to living at the home. Most homes have two or more beds per room, and all living spaces are shared.

• Shared Cost: The basic principle of RRs is that each resident pays a portion of the rent and utilities, as well as other expenses. While most RRs are self-sustaining, some houses do receive federal or state funding to offset the cost, especially level 3 or 4 houses. Many RRs require the residents to work, or at least be actively looking for work.

• House Rules: Each RR has it’s own house rules about who can move in and what’s required of residents. Common rules include regular chores, random drug and alcohol tests, and strict rules regarding activities like stealing and sexual conduct. Many houses also require residents to regularly attend some sort of therapy, such as AA or NA meetings, 12-step alternatives, or counseling sessions.

The benefits to Sober Living Homes are numerous:

• They are affordable: When compared to the cost of renting a home or apartment on your own or with a single roommate, the cost of living in a Recovery Residence (RR) is very affordable, especially for Level 1 and Level 2 homes. For example, a 2012 cost-benefit analysis study of 129 individuals found that those who enrolled in an Oxford House, a type of sober living home, had an average net financial gain of $29,000 per person over those who chose not to enter a sober living home.

• They are effective: A study by DePaul University comparing two groups of people who completed residential treatment found that the group who enrolled in an Oxford House had significantly lower substance abuse rates two years later than those who chose not to enter a sober living home (31.3% vs. 64.8%). Additionally, those who didn’t enroll in an Oxford house were incarcerated at three times the rate of those who did.

• They offer diverse options: While not everyone will have a lot of options for sober living homes in their city, those willing to relocate can find RRs that serve all types of people. For example, there are houses that accept families with children and houses specifically for Veterans or LGBTQ. Additionally, the four levels of RRs mean that even those with very severe addictions can find a home that will fit their needs.

• They have a supportive environment: One of the reasons that RRs are so effective is that they provide an encouraging and supportive home and an opportunity to build positive relationships with those who understand the struggle of overcoming addiction. For many people, the alternative is to return to a home where drug use is prevalent or accessible, and where stress and temptations are pervasive.

While there aren’t many drawbacks to attending a sober living home, there are a few things to consider before committing:

• Privacy: Most sober living homes allow almost no privacy. In fact, many homes don’t allow residents to lock the door to their own room, and bedrooms are most often shared by 2-3 residents.

• Strict Rules: To keep the peace and promote a positive, recovery-oriented environment, many homes have strict rules that may be difficult to accept for those used to living on their own and doing whatever they want. Possible rules include completing of certain chores, disallowing sexual contact between residents, and strict requirements regarding cleanliness.

• Complete Sobriety: In recovery residences, there’s no middle-ground – complete abstinence is required. This could be a drawback for some individuals recovering from an addiction to hard drugs (such as meth or heroin) who might want to deal with their cravings by using substances like marijuana or alcohol. Most homes require residents to submit to random or regular drug tests, and they have a zero-tolerance policy – those who fail the tests are usually asked to leave immediately.

Overall, sober living homes are a great choice for anyone who is serious about overcoming addiction – the more struggles you’ve had getting and staying clean, the more you may benefit from a Recovery Residence (RR).

Jeremy Barnett, a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, explains, “Sober living is a great option for people between inpatient and outpatient treatment, as it provides a full-time controlled environment while allowing individuals the opportunity to engage in their daily lives outside the facility. For some, the home environment can be hugely detrimental for drug and alcohol users, presenting a major challenge for those in outpatient treatment. Returning to a dysfunctional or triggering home environment can more than negate all progress attained earlier that day, so switching to a sober living facility can make a significant difference in the success of one’s addiction recovery.”

While there’s a level of support that’s right for almost everyone, sober living homes aren’t appropriate for everyone. If you are considering a sober living home, you must:

• Be in recovery. Recovery homes are designed for those who have a substance abuse problem, not people just looking for a cheap place to live.
• Be willing and able to uphold the rules and recovery culture of recovery residences.
• Not have needs that are beyond the scope of the home in question. For instance, those who have severe health problems relating to withdrawal or severe mental health problems may need to seek residential treatment instead.
• Not pose a threat to themselves, others, or the property.
• Not be engaged in criminal activity.

Note: Since Level 4 homes aren’t considered sober living homes, only the first three levels of recovery residences will be discussed below. For information about Level 4 homes (Therapeutic Communities) read our guide on Long-Term Rehab Programs.

Most of the sober living homes recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) are government-funded halfway houses, so those looking for recovery residences as described in this guide won’t be able to effectively use our database tool (which lists all the SAMHSA-recognized facilities). Instead, you can contact the third-party networks listed below.

Note: Not all of the networks organize houses into four levels of care (as we discussed above), so you may need to contact individual residences to determine what level of care they provide. Other than Oxford House (which has its own certification process) all of the following organizations are certified affiliates of the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR).

Since most states don’t regulate sober living homes like they do with treatment facilities, it’s important to do your research. The following are a few recommendations when looking for a sober living home for you or a loved one.

• Certification by the NARR: We recommend homes that are a part of a regional network that has been certified by the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR) (listed above). You can find the document listing the NARR’s standards here.
• Certification by Oxford House: Oxford houses are also a good choice for those who are looking for a Level 1 home since they have well-established traditions and have been shown to be successful. Keep in mind that many rules are left up to the individual homes themselves, so one Oxford House may look much different than another.
• Certification by a regional association (not affiliated with the NARR): If you are unable to find a home in your area that’s affiliated with the NARR or need a Level 2 or Level 3 home, there may be a regional association that certifies homes in your area. These regional associations are a great way to ensure accountability to a common standard, and they often provide an appeal process for any abuses or issues that occur.
• Clear rules and guidelines given at the time of application: The more clearly defined the house rules are, the better chance that the home will function smoothly and provide the best chance for you or a loved to recover.
• A well-established home with a good reputation: If you don’t have the opportunity to apply to a home that is certified by a third-party, try to find a home that’s been around for a longer period of time (5+ years). A counselor or treatment facility may be able to recommend a sober living home that they have worked with in the past.

Sober living homes make the difference for many people between ongoing addiction and freedom from substance abuse. Because many homes are independent and not currently affiliated with the National Association of Recovery Residences (or other regional association), finding a home with vacancies is not always a straightforward process. However, you can use the table above to get started, and then continue with your own research to find a recovery residence that meets your needs.

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