How do I spot a bad sober living house before moving in?
From the RecoveryHome team. We write some questions from situations people often ask us about, and answer them with general information from public health sources. Been through this yourself? Your answer could help the next person who finds this page. How we write team posts
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
asked 3 months ago
Discharge lists often include several sober living homes ranging from a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars a month. How do you tell the good ones from the bad ones?
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
answered 7 days ago · general information, not medical advice
Visit in person before you commit. Price alone tells you very little.
Good signs:
- Certification by your state or by NARR, the national standards group for recovery housing (narronline.org)
- A written resident agreement with clear house rules and drug testing they can explain
- A house manager who's reachable, and residents who'll talk with you
- A humane, clear answer to "What happens if someone relapses?"
Red flags:
- Cash only, or pressure to move in tonight
- Overcrowded rooms or no visible structure
- Free rent, or a requirement to attend one specific treatment program. That can mean the house is paid for referrals, which is illegal patient brokering, and residents are sometimes pushed out when insurance runs out.
Read more: Sober living homes: how to vet one
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