MASH
Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing
https://mashsoberhousing.org/what-is-a-sober-home/
Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing
https://mashsoberhousing.org/what-is-a-sober-home/
What is a sober home?
A sober home is a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems. When alcoholics and addicts leave inpatient facilities, they can face difficulty transitioning back to daily life. Sober living homes operate as a bridge between treatment facilities and the “real world.” This in-between recovery option, which uses a peer-to-peer recovery model, reinforces lessons learned in treatment.
Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery. All MASH-certified sober homes are required to have comfortable living space, with a common living area, designated living and sleeping areas that meet our requirements for square footage, bathrooms that accommodate the home’s maximum capacity. MASH-certified sober homes must also offer a peer-based environment and be drug- and alcohol-free.
Sober homes support various abstinence-based pathways to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more particular pathway. All MASH sober homes meet national standards based on the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) model.
What is expected of residents of a sober home?
Residents of sober homes are expected to abstain from alcohol and drug use, other than prescribed medications, and to refrain from prescription misuse. Payment terms for sober homes vary, and residents are given written house agreements. MASH-certified sober homes are governed by standards that address safety from an administrative, operational, property, and “good neighbor” perspective.
What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence?
In Massachusetts, sober homes and recovery residences are different models for substance abuse 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.
Are sober homes boarding homes?
No. Sober homes and boarding homes differ, and the laws governing boarding houses are specific for that designation.
A sober home is a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems. When alcoholics and addicts leave inpatient facilities, they can face difficulty transitioning back to daily life. Sober living homes operate as a bridge between treatment facilities and the “real world.” This in-between recovery option, which uses a peer-to-peer recovery model, reinforces lessons learned in treatment.
Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery. All MASH-certified sober homes are required to have comfortable living space, with a common living area, designated living and sleeping areas that meet our requirements for square footage, bathrooms that accommodate the home’s maximum capacity. MASH-certified sober homes must also offer a peer-based environment and be drug- and alcohol-free.
Sober homes support various abstinence-based pathways to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more particular pathway. All MASH sober homes meet national standards based on the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) model.
What is expected of residents of a sober home?
Residents of sober homes are expected to abstain from alcohol and drug use, other than prescribed medications, and to refrain from prescription misuse. Payment terms for sober homes vary, and residents are given written house agreements. MASH-certified sober homes are governed by standards that address safety from an administrative, operational, property, and “good neighbor” perspective.
What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence?
In Massachusetts, sober homes and recovery residences are different models for substance abuse 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.
Are sober homes boarding homes?
No. Sober homes and boarding homes differ, and the laws governing boarding houses are specific for that designation.
