NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts. This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state. Transition (e.g. entry, phase movement and exit) rituals promote residents’ sense of belonging and confer progressive status and increasing opportunities within the recovery living environment and community.
How MASH Certification Ensures Safe, Supportive Sober Housing in Massachusetts
MASH-certified sober homes must also offer a peer-based environment and be drug- and alcohol-free. In Massachusetts, state agencies and vendors are only allowed to refer clients to MASH Certified sober houses. MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability for all certified sober homes in Massachusetts.
- Another nice perk of The Anthony House is that we do not place our residents on a time limitation.
- NARR plays a pivotal role in shaping recovery housing across the United States by setting the national standards that affiliates like MASH implement.
- Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources.
- MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability for all certified sober homes in Massachusetts.
Sober House Certification in Massachusetts
The sober house certification standards set by MASH can be found here. In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for sober houses. NARR began to affiliate with state-level organizations to promote evidence-based standards for sober houses and other residential recovery programs and centers.
C. Core Principle: Create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership
Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home? Search our directory to find a list of all MASH-certified sober homes. All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected.
- We’re committed to taking as much time as needed to help you achieve a sober lifestyle so that you can get back to living a normal life.
- Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically-based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster safe living environments for those with substance use disorders.
- In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).
- Engagement in informal activities is encouraged.
- What is expected of residents of a sober home?
- Ideally, eligibility to deliver services includes lived experience recovering from substance use disorders and the ability to reflect recovery principles.
Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) plays a critical role in supporting individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments across Massachusetts. Established in 2007 by a group of sober home operators, MASH was founded to address the need for consistent standards and accountability within the sober housing community. Today, MASH oversees more than 180 certified sober homes. The organization’s core values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community, aligning closely with NARR’s principles to foster environments that promote long-term recovery and personal growth. Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) mash certified sober homes serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts.
- MASH-certified sober homes are governed by standards that address safety from an administrative, operational, property, and “good neighbor” perspective.
- Visit the Vanderburgh House website to learn more about their sober homes.
- For a list of all Vanderburgh Houses, please visit their website.
- 19.a Verification that emergency numbers, procedures (including overdose and other emergency responses) and evacuation maps are posted in conspicuous locations.
We are active from the local to the state level, continuously advocating for the rights of sober home residents and operators. Our mission at NATIONAL https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES (NARR) is to enhance access to quality recovery residences by setting standards, providing education, and advocating for those in addiction recovery. Schedule a consultation with VSL.
» Standards
As we say often at MASH, “Home is not a place. It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery. It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Vanderburgh House Operators are the largest providers of MASH Certified sober houses in Massachusetts.
Job descriptions include staff responsibilities, eligibility, and knowledge, skills and abilities needed to deliver services. Ideally, eligibility to deliver services includes lived experience recovering from substance use disorders and the ability to reflect recovery principles. Additionally, MASH offers funding through its various grant programs to support sober housing initiatives. For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through amphetamine addiction treatment these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing. A list of all sober houses in Massachusetts on Sober House Directory is available here.