Sober living home information is provided by sober house operators. We try to provide current information but cannot monitor every recovery home listing and do not guarantee the accuracy of listings. Research the home before you make a decision. MASH was formed in 2007 when a group of sober home operators recognized the need for consistent standards and greater accountability within the sober housing community.
Physical Environment Domain
- Even though you may not feel like it’s possible, The Anthony House is committed to helping you live the rest of your life drug and alcohol free.
- This program is essential for helping homes comply with state and local fire safety codes, thereby ensuring a safe living environment for residents.
- Guests feel safe, comfortable and supported at all times.
- This inspection of The Anthony House includes health, life safety and management evaluation, which makes sure that our home is meeting all of the standards laid out by MASH.
A weekly schedule details recovery support services, events and activities. Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources. Evidence that residents increase recovery capital through such things as recovery support and community service, work/employment, etc. Peer support interactions among residents are facilitated to expand responsibilities for personal and community recovery. Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information. At minimum, data collection will protect individual’s identity, be used for continuous quality improvement, be part of day-to-day operations, and regularly reviewed by staff and residents (where appropriate).
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Successful sober homes establish and reinforce healthy lifestyles, provide a safe and stable place to live, conduct meaningful activities, and build relationships and social networks for support. Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster these safe living environments for those with substance use disorders. MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically-based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster these safe living environments for those with substance use disorders. 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.
- NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts.
- The third version of the NARR standards provides more explicit guidance to providers, including metrics for evaluating the peer support components of a residence’s recovery environment.
- This isn’t easy, however, but we provide our residents with all of the tools and resources that they need to take this important step towards sober living.
- Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building.
Core Principle: Cultivate the Resident’s Sense of Belonging and Responsibility for Community
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. These homes allow for independence while guided by a set of recovery-focused house rules, standards, and expectations. Visit the Vanderburgh House website Sobriety to learn more about their sober homes. Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery.
Core Principle: Provide a Home-like Environment: The residence is comfortable, inviting, and meets residents’ needs
- Learn more about becoming a VSL Chartered Operator.
- 29.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs.
- It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery.
- Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire and safety hazards.
- 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.
Provide structured scheduled, curriculum-driven, and/or otherwise defined support services and life skills development. Trained staff (peer and clinical) provide learning opportunities. 27.e Documentation that resident and staff engage in community relations and interactions to promote kinship with other recovery communities and goodwill for recovery services. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard. Grievance policy and procedures, including the right to take grievances that are not resolved by the house leadership to the operation’s oversight organization for mediation.
Evidence that residents’ recovery progress and challenges are recognized and strengths are celebrated. Verification that written resident’s rights and requirements (e.g. residence rules and grievance process) are posted or otherwise available in common areas. Policies and procedures that keep residents’ records secure, with access limited to authorized staff. Policy and procedures that ensure all residents are age eighteen or older at time of admission.
- NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018.
- Today, MASH oversees more than 180 certified sober homes.
- The sober house certification standards set by MASH can be found here.
- If you are looking for recovery resources in Massachusetts, please visit our Massachusetts Sober House Recovery Resources page.
- Home color identifies men and women.
- Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures.
Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries https://ecosoberhouse.com/ according to a code of conduct. Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care. Policies and procedures that promote resident-driven length of stay. Policies protecting resident and community privacy and confidentiality.
MASH is affiliated with NARR and helps promote these standards at sober houses across Massachusetts. We were founded jointly by Vanderburgh House, an operator of sober houses in Massachusetts, and Vanderburgh Communities, an organization supporting sober living and recovery home operators. We’re expanding across the United States as our resources permit! If you would like to add a listing to our sober house directory, please let us know. Please contact us to update any listing information. We cannot guarantee accuracy of listing information.
Recovery Support Domain
Recovery residences —formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment. The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments. MASH is dedicated to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of residents through rigorous certification standards that align mash certified sober homes with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for long-term recovery. Sober house certification in Massachusetts is managed by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).