You can find information about how to get your optional WASH certification here. This NARR affiliate upholds quality norms that are in keeping with national gold standards established by the National Association of Recovery Residences. Members benefit from advocacy and lobbying representation as well as education and training about best practices. The EIN or employer identification number is the number the government will use to identify your business when filing your business taxes. The application to apply for your EIN number can be found on the IRS government website. If they choose to violate them or cause problems for residents, they should understand their position will be terminated.

Some states require a license to open and operate this type of facility. Licensing is generally required for facilities that offer detox, group therapy, personal therapy, workshops, or addiction treatment planning. If you’re unsure of licensing or regulation requirements, seek guidance from local county or city offices for more information. The success of your sober home investment requires that you are operating legally and abiding by proper zoning and licensing requirements. Before purchasing a property, you should always thoroughly inspect local and state laws to prevent problems down the road.

Rules & Regulations for Living in a Sober Living House

Sober living home rules that are honest, fair and that display cultural competency go a long way to help residents feel safe, comfortable, and supported in all aspects of their recovery. If you’re just getting started, here is a basic overview of the steps you will need to take to successfully start a sober living home in your community. For a lot of people in recovery, moving into a sober living home after treatment makes the difference between going back to their old habits or continuing on the path of sobriety.

You will be asked a questions about how your program operates and how your organizations policies and procedures are implemented in practice. You are welcome to contact ORH for a quote prior to submission of your application. At minimum, you will be required to upload the following documents into your application.

Rejection: Your Pain Is Real

After you have become familiar with the Quality Standards and the Code of Ethics, your organization may submit an application. The organization responsible for the operations of the house is the organization that must apply for ORH certification. The step two is to become familiar with the National Quality Standards and the Code of Ethics. The application process is designed to verify that your organization is meeting these standards.

how to start a sober living home

Nothing is better than to see a resident or former resident move on, land a good job, get married, buy a house, or even start a business. Dr. Bhatt has been Addiction Center’s Medical Content Director for more than three years, providing his expertise to ensure quality and accuracy. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. If you do not complete the entire process prior to your certification expiring, your certification will lapse. Organizations are required to have a review with Ohio Recovery Housing every two years.

Secure Licensing

You need to ensure you are promoting and marketing your sober living home for what it is. You don’t want to be misleading, and you don’t want people who do not fit the criteria to live in your home to reach out to you. It will take up a lot of your time to go through application processes only to find out the person doesn’t fit your needs—or, more accurately, that you don’t fit their needs. During the first phase of development, Ascension will conduct a feasibility study to determine the best location, business model, referral sources and support services for the proposed sober living facility. Our expert staff will work with you to develop a budget and pro-forma financial analysis based on the realities of your unique situation and geography.

  • Require signatures attesting that residents agree to the policy terms.
  • Sober living homes provide a combination of freedom and structure to help the person begin to adjust to life outside of rehab.
  • If you live in a sober living home, you may have your own room or have a roommate, depending on the size of the home and the number of people the house takes in at any time.
  • From analysis and planning, to operational programming, to marketing planning and community relations, our team has the experience and capabilities to effectively launch an organized and professional SLH.
  • Sober living homes offer an in-between recovery option that allows you to reinforce the lessons learned in rehab.
  • The program is somewhat unique to Wisconsin and is only available in a few select locations.

I’ve had people come up to me crying and saying that my son or I have saved their life, their child’s life, or their spouse’s life—and it’s very hard to put a price on that. Another challenge for us is the enabler in the addict’s life—usually a parent or spouse—who inhibits the resident’s recovery. The most common traits I see in a typical resident are selfishness and a lack of maturity. We have been times when we had to tell a parent that they needed to let Junior grow up and stop calling the house. At that time, I was providing low-income housing through government Section 8 programs, which provide subsidies for those of low income due to various reasons, including disability.

How to Start a Sober Living Home in Your Community

Many people in recovery find it helpful to their sobriety to move into an environment with a readily available support system. If you need help finding a sober living home or other treatment options, contact a treatment provider today. For those who decide to spend some time in a substance abuse halfway house, there will be plenty of benefits.

  • Some states require a license to open and operate this type of facility.
  • Depending on your location, you may need to obtain specific licenses and permits to operate a sober living home.
  • Overall, running a profitable sober living home requires careful planning, a commitment to providing a supportive environment, and a focus on meeting the needs of residents in recovery.
  • You should be able to determine if a person should reside in your house.

If you do not respond to ORH within required time lines ORH will make a recommendation on your application based on the information we have available. If you do not respond to ORH within the required time frame, your application will lapse. You are required to have the following assurances sober living document signed and notarized. This document needs to be signed by the person in your organization who is authorized to sign agreements and documents. You are encouraged to contact Ohio Recovery Housing with any questions about the quality standards prior to submitting your application.

Quality Standards of Sober Living Homes

The program is somewhat unique to Wisconsin and is only available in a few select locations. Establish your sober living home as male only, female only or combined genders. Invite a person of the appropriate gender as a house manager to help run the house. Select a person who has been sober for six months to a year – contract with that person for an established period. Individuals in recovery may make reliable sober-living home operators as long as they maintain their programs of recovery.