NARR plays a pivotal role in shaping recovery housing across the United States by setting the national standards that affiliates like MASH implement. NARR’s mission is to improve access to quality recovery residences through these standards, education, and advocacy. Massachusetts offers many sober living homes and recovery residences for those in recovery from addiction. Throughout Massachusetts you will certified and structured sober living for both men and women in recovery.
When neighborhoods object
- Residents are linked to mutual aid, recovery activities and recovery advocacy opportunities.
- Recovery advocates agree that people who have completed addiction treatment need a stable place to live to have a chance to succeed in the long term.
- The city has no sober house policy or plan for where they ought to be.
- It’s now back on the market for an asking price of $780,000.
- It advances research, data and design in the City’s program and policy development, service delivery, and budget decisions.
Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified. A contract was awarded to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor. Sober House Directory provides information on sober house certification for each state in the database, including for sober living in Massachusetts. Please visit the Massachusetts Sober House Certification page for more information about sober house certification in this state. Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a mash certified sober homes MASH-certified sober home? Search our directory to find a list of all MASH-certified sober homes.
» Steps to Certification
We try to provide current information but cannot monitor every recovery home listing and do not guarantee the accuracy of listings. Sober House Directory is a helpful starting place to find a recovery home and includes listings for sober houses, recovery residences, structured group homes, and other sober living for men and women in recovery. Research the home before you make a decision. Vanderburgh House, a supporter of Sober House Directory, builds sober home communities where residents are supported in their recovery journeys. Vanderburgh House sees a world where every person in recovery has access to a supportive, healthy, and safe home environment built on respect, focused on recovery, and lead by peers. Residents live together as a family to develop the tools and strengthen their character in order to live free from substance abuse.
Rules at sober houses differ
19.a Verification that emergency numbers, procedures (including overdose and other emergency responses) and evacuation maps are posted in conspicuous locations. Verification that entertainment or recreational areas and/or furnishings promoting social engagement are provided. Policies and procedures for ongoing performance development of staff appropriate to staff roles and residence level. Cultural responsiveness and competence training or certification are provided. Policies that value individuals chosen for leadership roles who are versed and trained in the Social Model of recovery and best practices of the profession. Evidence that staff are encouraged to have a network of support.
E. Core Principle: Provide a Home-like Environment
At 8,500 square feet, residents guess it could accommodate up to 21 people. That was one theme of remarks two neighborhood residents — both former city officials — delivered on Sept. 19 before the council’s Committee on Appointments and Briefings. She said that in the last year, 33 houses were decertified in the state, but only a third of those were involuntary. Five lost certification for substantiated grievance, six for not following through on the annual recertification requirement. The rest chose not to be certified, or the property was sold or relocated. In their houses, the Bouchers said, ordering someone out for breaking the rules usually means finding them a place to land so they do not end up on the street.
- As Freitas recalled, they gathered some 30 signatures, took them to a courthouse in town — she could not recall which one — and that was that.
- Advocates, however, differ on the need for sober house regulation.
- In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).
- Recovery advocates consider the houses a crucial step between treatment and sobriety.
- Visit their application page to apply online.
- Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire and safety hazards.
G. Core Principle: Facilitate Active Recovery and Recovery Community Engagement
- Policy and procedures that address residents’ prescription and non-prescription medication usage and storage consistent with the residence’s level and with relevant state law.
- Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection.
- Sober House Directory is a helpful starting place to find a recovery home and includes listings for sober houses, recovery residences, structured group homes, and other sober living for men and women in recovery.
- Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information.
- Toon said she’s opened the door to 25 women, and has had to close the door on perhaps 85% of them, all for breaking the sobriety rule.
- She’s working now as a case manager with Fellowship Health Resources, studying for a drug and alcohol counseling license at Trundy Institute in New Bedford.
Desrochers say she thinks sober house regulation would help ensure more consistent practices and oversight. She can see both sides of the debate on Rivet Street, in Moreland Terrace, or any neighborhood in New Bedford where a sober house may open. Lucia Freitas on Rivet Street in the South End appears as convinced that a sober house does not belong in her neighborhood as the people in Moreland Terrace are about theirs.
- Not including the death on Rockland Street, a New Bedford Light examination of death certificates has shown at least 541 people have died of overdoses in New Bedford since 2015.
- Initially, MASH focused on creating a voluntary certification process that would ensure sober homes in Massachusetts provided safe, supportive, and structured environments for individuals in recovery.
- The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc. is proud to work towards the same goals as MASH in supporting sober house operators.
The MASH-certified list includes 190 houses statewide. Nearly half, 76, are located in southeastern Massachusetts, including Brockton, Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford and Cape Cod. Only three of the certified houses are co-ed; 135 are for men, 52 for women. A brief compiled by the National Council for Behavioral Health in 2017 argues that the sober house approach works.
B. Core Principle: Uphold Residents’ Rights
At worst, they’re a place where people in recovery relapse, where overdoses happen, sometimes fatally. Sober house certification is an important factor to consider as you look for sober living. Massachusetts sober houses are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing, or MASH. MASH is a NARR state affiliate for recovery residences. We regularly inspect all member sober homes to ensure safety, quality, and the building of a community of recovery.
Recovery residences — formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment. Sober homes provide mutual support, emphasize independent living skills, and depend on peer leadership. They are not licensed and are not funded by the state.