A sober house, or sober living house, is an alcohol and drug free residence for unrelated adults who are recovering from drug and/or alcohol addictions. These houses do not provide any on site drug or alcohol treatment services and they are not licensed by any federal, state or local government. The houses are also known as three-quarter way houses, alcohol/drug free-living centers, cooperative living, re-entry homes, transitional living environments, etc.
What's the history of sober houses?
During the late 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s members of Alcoholics Anonymous developed and operated Twelve Step Houses. In 1948, the first sober living house called the 512 Fellowship Twelfth Step House was started by a recovering alcoholic named Pat W. In 1974, a group of residents at a closing Maryland State-operated halfway house adopted and converted the house into the first Oxford House. By 1986, the Oxford Houses expanded to 24 houses.
During the 1990’s, sober living houses experienced a grass roots movement of rapid growth for the following reasons:
Alcoholics and recovering addicts were included in the definition of persons with disabilities in the 1988 amendments to the Federal Fair Housing Law;
rooming and boarding houses were closed as land use zoning laws practically removed them from existence over the last 30 years;
finding affordable housing is particularly difficult for low-income recovering persons; and
a decrease in government funding for alcohol and drug treatment programs removed associated housing options.
What are the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments?
These amendments give disabled persons (alcoholics and recovering addicts) the right to live together as a family of unrelated persons in any dwelling that would accommodate an equal number of related family members. Sober living houses can counter a local government request for special use zoning compliance or conditional use permits as long as the house operates as shared housing for persons with disabilities. Similar fair-housing rights exist for senior citizens, as well as for mentally, physically and developmentally disabled persons.
What's required to be a sober house?
At a minimum, a sober house provides an alcohol and drug free residence to a group of unrelated adults. These adults must be disabled as a result of addiction and working towards sobriety. Sober houses cannot provide alcohol and/or drug treatment and/or recovery services that would normally require state licensure. Sober houses may have additional requirements depending on the states and municipalities in which they are located.
Are sober houses licensed by the government?
No. There is no such thing as sober house licensure. Municipalities may have land use zoning laws that may also be applied to sober houses. Contact your local authorities for more information.
Do sober houses provide treatment for addiction?
No. Although sober houses can positively impact those in recovery, they do not provide any on site drug or alcohol treatment. Facilities that do provide some form of structured drug or alcohol treatment are normally licensed by the state in which they reside.
What can I expect from a sober house?
The location, amenities, and culture of each sober house vary greatly from place to place. In general, you can expect the following experience: Using Sobershelter.com you will locate a sober house that matches your needs. You will contact the house’s manager and set an appointment to see the house in person. At the house, you will have an opportunity to meet other residents, ask questions about your responsibilities, and make a final determination whether or not the house matches your needs. After completing an application, you will pay your financial obligations and start your sober living experience.
As a resident, you will be expected to complete assigned house chores, attend house meetings, be respectful to your housemates, and most importantly remain sober. As time progresses, you will become more comfortable in your new home and you will begin to understand the house’s culture. If you break any house rules you may be fined or expelled, depending on the seriousness. Serious offenses include using drugs or alcohol, making threats, acting violently, or not meeting your financial responsibilities.
Who can live in a sober house?
There are a variety of sober houses operating today. The majority serve one of the following categories: men, women, men and women, or women with children. There are also houses that cater to more specific groups like adolescents and veterans. The one distinguishing characteristic all sober housing residents have is that they aspire to live sober. In summation, there are sober houses out there for everyone.
How long can you live in a sober house?
Every sober house is different. Some houses have a minimum or maximum length of residency, but most houses allow residents to stay indefinitely. The primary concern is that residents follow the house rules, meet their financial obligations, and remain sober.
Where are sober houses located?
There is sober housing nationwide. Click on the SEARCH tab and start your journey.
Who manages a sober house?
There are no managerial requirements for sober houses. The majority of houses are managed by residents who receive some form of compensation. This compensation may include a salary, a reduction in rent, or a combination of both. Ideally, sober housing managers live on-site, are stable in their recovery, enforce the house rules, and are viewed as leaders by residents. Other sober houses, such as the Oxford House, appoint managers in some form of democratic process.
