Recovery residences provide a sober living environment to support long-term recovery from substance use disorders. They range from peer-run homes to facilities with clinical services. Research shows living in a recovery residence is linked to improvements in employment, health, and reduced criminal behavior over 12-24 months. Recovery residences operate on a social model, where residents support each other's recovery and develop life skills through a shared community environment.

1. Primer on
Recovery Residences
Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Executive Director, AllCEUs Counselor Education
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2. What is a Recovery Residence
 “Recovery residence” (RR) is a broad term
describing a sober, safe, and healthy living
environment that promotes recovery from alcohol
and other drug use and associated problems.
 RRs offer peer-to-peer recovery support with
some providing professionally delivered clinical
services all aimed at promoting long-term
recovery and improvement in physical, mental,
spiritual, and social wellbeing that will support
their recovery as they transition to living
independently
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3. Effectiveness
 The primary studies on Oxford Houses (e.g., Jason, Davis,
Ferrari, & Anderson, 2007; Jason, Olson, Ferrari, & Lo
Sasso, 2006) interviewed residents at 12- and 24-month
follow-up.
 A study of sober living houses in California (Polcin, et al.,
2010) interviewed residents at 18-month follow up.
 These studies documented significant longitudinal
improvements including gains in employment, family and
social functioning, psychological and emotional well-
being, as well as reductions in criminal involvement.
 Social support for recovery, recovery self-efficacy, and
length of stay (6 months or longer) predicted change in
cumulative recovery
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4. Levels
 Recovery residences are divided into Levels of
Support based on the type as well as the intensity
and duration of support that they offer.
 Level I-Peer-Run: Democratically run, drug
screens, house meetings, self-help
 Level II – Monitored: House manager, peer run
groups in addition to Level I activities
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5. Levels
 Level III- Supervised: Employ paid staff who provide
on-site services, such as linkage to resources in the
community. There is administrative oversight for
service providers, state licensing, emphasis on life
skill development. A recovery approach that has
become known as
 The “Florida model” combines intensive outpatient or day
treatment services with residence in a sober living house.
 Level IV- Service Provider: Residential treatment
programs that are more structured than level III and
that provide a variety of on-site clinical services
(Therapeutic communities)
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6. Phases within Levels
 Many residences define levels of recovery progress
within the resident community which correspond with
time in the residence, recovery progress as assessed
by peers and/or staff, and the degree to which
residence behavioral requirements have been met.
 Each level or phase is typically accompanied by an
increase in privileges, greater personal autonomy,
exemption from certain requirements of previous
phases, and possibly different physical
accommodation choices.
 Many residences with this type of system often pair
later phase residents with new arrivals in a sort of
“buddy system.”
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7. Phases cont…
 A blackout period is required in the initial phase of
some recovery residences in which the new resident
is required to break communication with the outside
world or with their natural supports in order to
stabilize and focus on their recovery.
 Many residences limit the activities for new residents
for a length of time after admission. These
restrictions might include always being accompanied
by a more senior resident when outside the home,
limits to contacts with family or friends, and
expectations for a higher degree of involvement in
recovery support activities.
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8. Length of Stay
 Level 1 and 2 are open ended (on average 1-3
years)
 Level 3 and 4 RRs average 3-9 months
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9. RRs and the Community
 NARR-certified recovery residences meet standards
addressing safety from an administrative, operational,
property, and good neighbors perspective
 Preferred location
 In residential areas that provide RR residents an opportunity to
integrate into the community and provide community members an
opportunity to learn about rrs.
 Accessible, affordable rental housing in areas offering amenities
for daily life (shopping, transportation, employment, medical)
 Community needs to be free of drug dealing and criminal activity
 Federal law protecting persons in recovery as a protected
class under the federal Fair Housing Act and its
amendments (see 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619)
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10. Funding
 RRs are historically self-funded, eventually
become self-sustainable, and utilize community
of volunteers.
 Start-up costs are typically covered by the
housing provider, an Angel Investor, or a
nonprofit.
 As a part of their recovery process, residents are
expected to work, pay rent, and support the
house
 Each house averages 10 residents
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11. Regulation
 National: NARR
 State:
 State Association of Recovery Residences
 State Regulating Boards
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12. RR Services and Activities
 Entry into a recovery residence usually involves an
application/personal interview.
 Residents can expect to pay monthly fees and sign an agreement
committing themselves to a minimum length of stay and adhering
to clearly stated house rules that support the recovery of the
individual and the community.
 Typically, there is a refundable deposit and a non-refundable
administration fee required on or before move-in.
 There also may be additional fees or fines clearly listed in the
agreement for things like extra services or late payments
 Some residences require concurrent participation outpatient
treatment
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13. RR Services and Activities
 Recovery residences support various abstinence-based pathways
to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more
particular pathway. People seeking support for a specific,
culturally congruent path to recovery should determine what
recovery activities are required before accepting a placement.
 Although they cannot provide medication management, Levels
1, 2, and 3 can use
 Policies and procedures around the self-management of
medications and the eligibility of individuals taking specific
medications to live in the house
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14. Social Model Approach
 There is an emphasis on drawing on knowledge gained through
one’s recovery experience to help others.
 Recovery operates via connections between residents, not
between an individual resident and a professional caregiver.
 All residents are consumers and providers, both giving and
receiving help.
 Mutual support provides the basic framework for recovery.
 A positive environment that encourages support for recovery is
crucial.
 Disorders are viewed as being centered in the reciprocal
relationship between the individual and his or her surrounding
social unit
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15. Social Model Approach of RRs
 The social model approach shifts the focus to the
household/family and community environment as a way to
foster a culture of recovery.
 Residents are invited to draw on the strengths of the household
and utilize peer support to shed their addictive lifestyle and
reconstruct their self-identity as a person in recovery.
 Social learning of communication, relationship and coping skills
 Social support
 Life skills
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16. Social Model Approach of RRs
 Developing a recovery lifestyle is conceptualized among
residents as more than avoiding addictive substances and
improving personal health, it is characterized by
 Citizenship -- the importance of living one’s life with regard and
respect for those around you
 Doing one’s fair share in terms of contributing to the household as
a recovery environment
 Recognizing how one’s behavior affects that environment is a key
tenet across all social model programs
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17. Social Model cont…
 Mandatory house meetings offer opportunities for residents and
staff to understand and discuss issues from a social model
perspective and reinforce a recovery oriented culture
 When interactions in house meetings are limited to a sole focus
or the meeting gets bogged down in interpersonal struggles,
shift the discussion toward a broader, social model perspective.
 How does this issue impact the overall house?
 How can house members be mobilized to address the issue?
 Should we discuss changes in house rules or operations to address
the issue?
 How would such changes affect the recovery culture of the
household?
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18. Summary
 Recovery residences are a necessary resource for
people who are needing a safe place to reside
whether they are leaving treatment or not
 Recovery residences range from peer led
organizations to therapeutic communities
 Research has shown improved treatment
outcomes at 12, 18 and 24 months for people who
lived in a recovery residence
 Recovery residences operate on a social model
helping people learn how to create and maintain
a healthy environment and relationships.
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