Consumer Guide to Sober Housing

Introduction

This Consumer Guide to Sober Housing provides information for people seeking Sober House services for themselves or others. Its purpose is to educate the “consumer.” A well-informed person can then make wise decisions.

Sober Houses are a vital component of a comprehensive Recovery Support Service system. Alcoholics and addicts are often treated and discharged from various levels of care, only to immediately return to an environment where triggers are powerful, often overwhelming and many times result in relapse. Many professionals and frontline workers acknowledge that lack of appropriate, sober housing is one of the most frustrating of the barriers for those in need of assistance. Sober Housing helps people at different stages of recovery experience a safe place to live where they can focus on recovery. This guide focuses on and defines Sober Housing options available after detoxification.

This Consumer Guide to Sober Housing is designed to answer commonly asked questions about Sober Housing. If you have additional questions or want information on how to find Sober Houses, or if you would like to talk about other recovery issues, please call our toll-free 24-hour Advocacy/Information line at 1-800-221-6333.

Yes, there are different types of care and sober housing...

There are “Halfway” Houses, Recovery Centers, houses that follow the “Oxford” model, and Recovery Houses (sometimes called “three-quarter-way” houses or “transitional housing”). Some of the differences between them are the level of structure, staffing, accountability, care, and services provided for drug/alcohol recovery. An assessment will determine which level is right for you. Call 1-800-221-6333 to find assessment sites near you.

Categories of Sober Housing

Halfway House

Treatment programming
Live in/work out
State licensed
24 hour staffing

Recovery Center

Ongoing Recovery Support Services
Live in/work out
24 hour coverage

Oxford House

Live in/work out
Leased and democratically run by residents
12-Step meeting attendance strongly encouraged
Chartered by Oxford House, Inc.

Recovery House (3/4-way house or transitional housing)

Live in/work out
12-Step meeting attendance strongly encouraged
24 hour house manager (varies by house)

Halfway Houses

What is a Halfway House?

A Halfway House is a community-based residential treatment and rehabilitation facility that provides services for chemically dependent persons in a supportive, chemical free environment.
While this service setting does provide substance abuse treatment it also emphasizes protective and supportive elements of family living and encourages and provides opportunities for independent growth and responsible community living.
Mutual self-help assistance in economic/social adjustment and integration of life skills into daily life as well as a solid program of recovery are also encouraged.
Clients entering this environment must have already had some experience in another type of drug and alcohol treatment.
A Halfway House is a live in/work out environment with a typical length of stay being three to six months.

Who Manages a Halfway House?

Halfway Houses are licensed treatment facilities, professionally staffed in accordance with state licensing requirements.
As licensed facilities, all Halfway Houses are required to use an assessment process for admission.
The Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria is the assessment tool used in the state for all counties and HealthChoices managed care providers.

Recovery Centers

What is a Recovery Center?

A Recovery Center is a recovery-oriented sanctuary anchored in the heart of the community. Recovery Centers connect people with recovery needs to people with recovery assets.
Recovery Centers are similar to Recovery Houses in terms of rules and rent, but they also provide community-based and peer-supported life and recovery skill-building programming.
Like Halfway Houses, Recovery Centers emphasize the protective and supportive elements of family living and encourage and provide opportunities for independent growth and responsible community living.
Recovery Centers encourage a solid program of recovery that includes mutual support.
Recovery Centers also facilitate linkages to recovery-conducive employment, planned leisure activities, sober socializing, and community service work.
A Recovery Center is a live in/work out environment; some centers require a 6-month minimum length of stay with no maximum length of stay for residents in good standing.

Who Manages a Recovery Center?

Typically, non-profit organizations run Recovery Centers.
Recovery Centers are staffed by professionals as well as volunteers who are “sober lifestyle consultants.”
A Recovery Center uses an intake process for admission, and works with clients to develop recovery plans and support to achieve goals.

Oxford Houses

What is an Oxford House?

An Oxford House is a self-run, self-supported recovery house program for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. Oxford Houses assure an alcohol- and drug-free living environment.
Oxford Houses are chartered through Oxford House, Inc. The first Oxford House was started in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1975.
Generally, an individual comes into an Oxford House following a 28-day rehabilitation program or at least 10-day detoxification program.
A recovering individual can live in an Oxford House for as long as he or she does not drink alcohol, does not use drugs, and pays an equal share of the house expenses. The average stay is a little over a year, but many residents stay three, four, or more years.

Who Manages an Oxford House?

Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. In this respect, they are similar to a college fraternity or sorority.
If, however, a majority of residents believe that any member has relapsed into using alcohol or drugs, that person is immediately expelled.
There are no resident counselors in an Oxford House.

What is Oxford House, Inc.?

Oxford House Inc., is a non-profit, tax exempt, publicly supported corporation which acts as a umbrella organization for the national network of Oxford Houses. It provides quality control by organizing regional Houses into Chapters and by relying heavily upon the national network of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups.
Oxford House is not affiliated with AA or NA; however, its members realize that recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction can only be assured by the changing of their lifestyle through full participation in AA and NA. In most communities, the members of those organizations help Oxford Houses get started and report any charter compliance problems with respect to a particular house.
As soon as Oxford House, Inc. hears of any charter compliance problems it takes corrective action, because the Oxford House name is an important factor in the recovery of thousands of individuals.

Recovery Houses

What is a Recovery House?

A Recovery House is intended to be a safe environment where a person in early recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, or those with a history of recovery, resides so they can focus on recovery.
Recovery Houses are self-sufficient or receive funding from various sources; all collect rent from the housing residents to help cover operational expenses and, in some cases, provide some income to the individuals who own/operate the house.
Residents need moderate structure and the support of others experiencing similar challenges in order to maintain sobriety.
Each facility has rules that all persons living there are required to follow.
A Recovery House is a live in/work out environment; the typical length of stay is three months to one year.

Who Manages a Recovery House?

Many non-profit organizations operate Recovery Houses.
Other Recovery Houses are owned and operated by people in recovery who see the need for transitional housing.
Some owners are strictly business persons.
A Recovery House may be part of a Recovery House Coalition and may have agreed to standards set forth by that coalition.

Are There Standards that Govern Sober Housing?

Standards provide a framework and goals across a range of essential areas in order to promote a stable, clean and sober environment that is safe and conducive for recovering individuals and families. Standards address things such as services, programs, management, staffing, physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, sanitation, food service rules, staff training and development, and fund controls. Generally, Sober Housing facilities are contracted with agencies and agree to follow standards to be considered as a referral. Standards help set uniform, consistent performance criteria and guiding principles of operation that are acceptable to the resident and all referral sources. The following are examples of standards.

Ask for a tour. Look for the following:

Mission/Philosophy of Program

A written statement that describes the facility’s mission and intention to provide quality recovery care to individuals and families striving to maintain sobriety.
A written description of what is offered to the residents.
Safe and comfortable living accommodations.
Policies to encourage and support residents in practicing the faith-based activity of their choice.

Physical Plant/Codes

The appropriate zoning for the number of people residing in the house.
Adherence to all fire codes and maintain required equipment (smoke detectors, accessible fire extinguishers); fire drills/emergency evacuation procedures are conducted regularly.
Adherence to all applicable health codes, housing and license and inspection codes; a certificate of occupancy is secured and prominently displayed.
Adequate furniture per person, kitchen facility, bathrooms, living space per resident and sufficient common space for the number of people residing in the house.

Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

Liability insurance that provides coverage for injury to residents, visitors or property damage.

Staffing Coverage and Staff Training

Staff coverage for supervision or a designated individual responsible for house operations 24-hours/day.
Sufficient supervision of residents by maintaining a system of accounting for their whereabouts.
Medication management procedures to control any prescription medication within the house. Procedures include a locked cabinet, medication logs and process for observing the taking of medications. The house will also have a clear written policy of non-prescription or over the counter pharmaceuticals.
Staff training on house orientation, safety, rules, and emergency procedures.

Description of Intake Criteria and Intake Process

A description of intake criteria and specific steps involved in the intake process.
A written description of policies regarding resident admission criteria.
A policy that resident transfers must leave in good standing. Good standing would include but is not limited to rent, house dues and house violations.

Clearly Articulated and Documented (Written) House Rules

Clear and documented (written) house rules, such as house visitation policy and hours, curfew limits, furlough policies, and expectations on attending fellowship meetings and/or house meetings.
A verbal orientation for all new residents covering house rules/regulations.
A schedule on the collection of fees/rent signed by the resident as part of the rental agreement.
A document/statement upon admission that shall be signed indicating that a resident is responsible for all health care costs.
A clear and written drug screening policy/procedure for urine testing as well as pre-set sanctions for use and a clear prohibition of substance abuse in the house; the policy is reviewed and signed by each resident.
A written policy promoting appropriate house/community behavior and discouraging violence/fighting.
A resident grievance policy and appeal process for those facing disciplinary action, loss of privileges or early termination.
A document that attests to the fact that house rules were explained to new residents and that they make a commitment to abide by the documented house rules.

Resident Records

Resident records maintained in a locked file (e.g., signed house rules, rental agreement, payment log and any necessary signed release forms, brief discharge summary, etc.).

Emergency Procedures

Written fire and emergency procedures that are reviewed and signed by a resident upon admission.
Clearly defined procedures for accessing services (substance abuse, mental health, or medical) when an emergency situation arises.

Relationships with Licensed Treatment Providers

A relationship with licensed treatment providers such as drug and alcohol programs, medical providers, and mental health providers.

Awareness and Adherence to Federal and State Regulations on Confidentiality and Non-Discrimination

A policy that all staff are aware of and adhere to federal and state regulations on discrimination and confidentiality, strictly limiting disclosure of confidential information.

Non-Exploitation of Residents

A written policy promoting non-exploitation of residents including protection from sexual abuse, physical intimidation, financial manipulation or forced labor.

Description of Discharge Criteria and Discharge Process

A clear and written procedure for discharge (e.g., positive urine test results, aggressive behavior, etc.).

Conclusion

Selecting the right type of and particular Sober House is a very important step toward a life in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. It is our goal and hope that this Consumer Guide to Sober Housing helps you with your selection process.

PRO-ACT is a grassroots organization of members of the recovery community. Our organization is hosted by the Bucks County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., a private non-profit organization. It is within PRO-ACT’s mission to educate the community about issues pertaining to alcohol and other drugs, including Recovery Support Services such as Sober Housing.

We have faith in your ability to recover and congratulate you for having the courage to seek Sober Housing. If you have any questions or you would simply like to talk to a PRO-ACT representative, please call our 24-hour Advocacy/Information Line at 1-800-221-6333.

Get the Full Consumer Guide

The full, printed version of this Consumer Guide includes sample questions to ask when you call or visit sober houses and a chart to keep track of the answers you receive from three different facilities. Please contact us to order printed or electronic copies of the full guide.

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