Recovery and Housing RIZE Massachusetts

Thus, the intervention is a way to help them prepare for the challenges and recognize the potential benefits of new activities and experiences. Prison and jail overcrowding in the U.S. has reached a crisis point. Each year more than 7 million individuals are released from local jails into communities and over 600,000 are released on parole from prison (Freudenberg, Daniels, Crum, Perkins & Richie, 2005).

Recovery Resources for Massachusetts Sober House Residents

• This is particularly concerning because our analysis of criminal justice offenders in SLHs showed alcohol and drug outcomes that were similar to residents who entered the houses voluntarily.
• In addition to studying a larger number of offenders, we hope to explore an innovative intervention designed to improve outcomes for these residents in terms of employment, arrests, and other areas.
• Massachusetts sober houses are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing, or MASH.

We have recently learned of an issue regarding possible unauthorized use of recipient EBT cards mash certified sober homes by a third party (i.e. staff or house managers) at «sober houses» in Massachusetts. A sober house is like a group home or congregate living situation that may serve as transitional housing for childless individuals who have substance abuse histories. Individuals may be referred to these houses by courts or probation officers or move into them after leaving DPH detox or licensed alcohol or drug treatment facilities.

NIMBYism is a Big Threat to Sober Living in Massachusetts

There is likely more misinformation about sober houses and zoning than there are credible articles and resources on the topic. While the legal landscape is complex, the concepts are fairly simple. It can be very difficult to find funding for sober living home projects in any state, and Massachusetts is no different. However, in 2021, MassHousing awarded over $ to sober living homes, or “substance-free housing units.” MassHousing is a quasi-public affordable housing agency in Massachusetts so its shift in focus to recovery housing is unusual. It’s worth keeping an eye on this agency to see if they’ll make a similar move in the future.

Vanderburgh House Locations in Massachusetts

• Sober homes support various abstinence-based pathways to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more particular pathway.
• Some regulations come from within the sober living home community itself.
• Applications take about five minutes to complete, and most applications can be approved within 24 hours.
• Recovery residences — formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment.
• This form of recovery housing is designed to help us balance accountability and independence.

During this time, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) chapters founded the first peer-based sober houses as an alternative to halfway houses and other transitional residences.. These “12-Step residences” were especially helpful for those whose drinking resulted in eviction or estrangement. Certified sober homes in Massachusetts are designated by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). In 2007, eight sober house operators established MASH. Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober houses, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016. (b) The bureau shall establish and provide for the administration of a voluntary training and accreditation program for operators of alcohol and drug free housing seeking certification under subsection (d).

How to Increase Your Chances of Staying Sober While in Massachusetts Sober Living Houses

Instead, they provide their occupants with a safe and supportive community, all working to prevent a relapse. Halfway houses provide residence for persons who received substance abuse treatment while in incarceration to help them reintegrate into society. In addition, occupants of a halfway house must attend substance abuse recovery-based treatment or program, including 12-step meetings and therapy.

Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. Provide structured scheduled, curriculum-driven, and/or otherwise defined support services and life skills development. Trained staff (peer and clinical) provide learning opportunities.

» MA Sober Homes Law

The idea was to remove clients from destructive living environments that encouraged substance use and create new social support systems in treatment. Some programs created halfway houses where clients could reside after they completed residential treatment or while they attended outpatient treatment. MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. 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.

The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing Maintains a List of All Certified Sober Homes in the State

Evidence that staff are encouraged to have a network of support. Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct. Evidence that residents’ recovery progress and challenges are recognized and strengths are celebrated.

Massachusetts Sober Houses: A Discussion on Zoning

Search the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Living  (MASH) directory of all certified sober homes, which follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been inspected. The National Association of Recovery Residences established the voluntary certification model that inspired these states to follow suit. NARR developed the national standards that many of these states use in their voluntary licensing programs. Main components of Project NORTH include voluntary court-based Recovery Support Navigation, short-term transportation assistance to relevant services, and short-term assistance with rent in a certified and participating sober house. The journey to recovery requires more than sober homes. In addition to certification information, Sober House Directory provides state-by-state information for recovery resources.

Sober homes are available in Massachusetts for you or a loved one to bridge the gap between clinical treatment and independent living. Many in early recovery consider their sober house to be one of the most important parts of their recovery journey. As a next step in our research on SLHs we plan to assess how they are viewed by various stakeholder groups in the community, including house managers, neighbors, treatment professionals, and local government officials.