A Primer on Recovery Residences: FAQs from the National Association of Recovery Residences

recovery residence association

Our team of board members, recovery residence operators, supporters and volunteers are committed to helping people in our communities achieve long term recovery. By embracing nationally recognized (NARR) standards for the operation of recovery residences, we are helping to raise the bar on the level of service and care provided through recovery residences throughout Alabama. Our Board of Directors is composed of trailblazers in the recovery residence sector, bringing together a rich tapestry of expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication. With decades of collective experience in shaping policies, enhancing community support, and pioneering innovative recovery solutions, they embody a shared vision of empowerment and transformative care.

Peer-Based Recovery Support

recovery residence association

The Standard is built on the lived experience of operators and residents, not the decisions of New Beginning Recovery Review an external accreditation body. All recovery residences offer alcohol and illicit substance-free living environments and utilize a social model recovery approach. NARR Levels are informed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) categorization of different types of treatment and recovery programs, and the terms Levels and Types can be used interchangeably. They are alcohol and illicit substance-free recovery housing that utilize house rules and peer accountability to maintain safe and healthy living environments. Senior residents, appointed by the owner/operator to serve as the head of household, are typically called the House Manager. To serve higher needs/lower recovery capital populations, such as transition aged youth (e.g., youth years of age) with opioid use disorders, some Level II’s provide recovery support services and life skills development but at a lower intensity than Level III’s.

recovery residence association

Recovery Residences

  • Together, we harness our collective strengths to build a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering recovery landscape.
  • The consistency of core elements across certified residences can provide peace of mind to residents, families, neighbors, legislators, and funders, without additional oversight.
  • National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the availability of well-operated, ethical, and supportive recovery housing across the United States.
  • Dave Sheridan’s leadership of NARR reflects a deep commitment to advancing recovery housing standards and Fair Housing Rights.
  • The term “Recovery Residence” was adopted by NARR and refers to standards-based recovery housing.

We partner with state agencies and recovery community organizations to advocate for the adoption of our high-quality housing standards at both state and national levels. The NARR model lays the groundwork for recovery housing policies, practices, and services, offering those in recovery the chance for a sustainable and fulfilling life. RICARES stands as the cornerstone of recovery residences, serving as the national affiliate dedicated to uplifting individuals on their journey to sobriety.

Addressing Homelessness & Addiction Through Recovery Housing

  • We partner with state agencies and recovery community organizations to advocate for the adoption of our high-quality housing standards at both state and national levels.
  • Matching an individual with the appropriate level of support is both recovery supportive and cost-effective.
  • Senior residents, appointed by the owner/operator to serve as the head of household, are typically called the House Manager.
  • These outcomes include not only substantially better abstinence rates, but also increased rates of employment and lower rates of criminal recidivism.

This groundbreaking standard clearly delineates the spectrum of housing support available for those in recovery from substance use disorders. Recovery residences provide safe and healthy community-oriented home environments where skills vital for sustaining recovery are practiced within a community-oriented setting. The group experience within the home fosters a culture of recovery based on shared lived experience, support, and structure – this community-based approach is referred to as the Social Model and is the basis of the national Standard for recovery residences. Our mission at NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES (NARR) is to enhance access to quality recovery residences by setting standards, providing education, and advocating for those in addiction recovery. As a visionary leader in addiction recovery, Brandy Anderson’s founding of the Acceptance Recovery Center and her advocacy for the queer community highlight her commitment to inclusive recovery support services. Her role on the NARR Board exemplifies her dedication to challenging the status quo and fostering a supportive recovery environment for all individuals.

recovery residence association

recovery residence association

Also, among recovery residence members, more 12-step mutual-help participation and lower levels of drinking and drug use in one’s social network predict better substance use outcomes and lower likelihood of arrest over time. Level III / Type S (Supervised) delivers weekly, structured programming including peer-based and other recovery support services (e.g. recovery and resiliency groups or person-driven recovery plans) and life skills development programming (e.g., job readiness or budgeting). Level III’s are designed to support populations who need more intense support in developing recovery capital than provided by Level I or Level II. Level III’s are required to be licensed in a few states, reflecting the therapeutic nature of the services provided. At NARR, we take pride in fostering a network of affiliates and providers that exemplify the highest standards of recovery care.

  • His efforts underscore the importance of quality, certified recovery residences as essential components of addiction treatment.
  • Level III’s are required to be licensed in a few states, reflecting the therapeutic nature of the services provided.
  • This model emphasizes the importance of personal and collective responsibility for the safety and progressive health of oneself and others in the community.
  • Oxford Houses™ are the most widely known example and researched as indicated by their inclusion in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2023).
  • Recovery residences are privately-owned homes or complexes that provide housing for adults with a substance use disorder (SUD) or co-occurring disorder.