Sober Living in Massachusetts: A Complete Guide to Recovery Housing

Through community involvement, holistic wellness practices, and evidence-based therapies, we aim to help our residents build the foundation for a fulfilling and sustainable life in recovery. Some houses maintain highly regimented schedules, while others have more relaxed rules. Confirm the suitability of the home’s activities to your specific recovery needs. In Minnesota, sober living facilities are mainly unregulated at the state level. However, the owners of these transitional homes also form associations to set minimum standards for member homes across the state.

MASH’s Commitment to Recovery and Accountability

Policy and procedures that address residents’ prescription and non-prescription medication usage and storage consistent with the residence’s level and with relevant state law. Job descriptions require staff to facilitate access to local community-based resources. Peer support interactions among residents are facilitated to expand responsibilities for personal and community recovery. Grievance policy and procedures, including the right to take grievances that are not resolved by the house leadership to the operation’s oversight organization for mediation.

Although the houses do not make completing addiction treatment a prerequisite to entry, persons who have completed rehab can have a better stay in rehab. Residents at Minnesota sober living homes usually have some free time at the end of their daily activities. To maintain sobriety, tenants of these homes can develop new hobbies, mash sober living as boredom and idleness can lead some residents back to substance abuse. They can learn to exercise, read, paint, write, and do yoga, among other things.

» MA Sober Homes Law

Policies protecting resident and community privacy and confidentiality. Use of an accounting system which documents all resident financial transactions such as fees, payments and deposits. Documentation that the owner/operator has current liability coverage and other insurance appropriate to the level of support. Each guest can expect a clean bed, sufficient clothing storage, HDTV w/ cable and free wifi in every room inside a clean, well maintained home cared for by the guests who stay there! Our homes are smoke free but there are plenty of designated outdoor smoking areas.

We’ll help you open a certified recovery home from start to finish.

Although helpful, sober living houses cannot replace traditional inpatient rehab centers. The amenities available at these homes cannot serve the needs of every patient. For example, patients with chronic addiction symptoms usually need special medical attention that only rehab professionals can provide.

Sober Living in Massachusetts: A Complete Guide to Recovery Housing

The standard of amenities at most sober living homes is usually better than those at halfway houses. Sober living houses design their facilities to look similar to typical homes, providing tenants with some privacy and independence. However, halfway houses look like dormitories, with residents occupying rooms in pairs. Consequently, residents of sober living homes typically pay higher fees than those at halfway houses due to higher standards.

Track B: Licensed Residential Program (treatment model)

The difference is that state agencies regulate clinical recovery housing and sober homes are treated as family residences under local, state and federal law. Many people in recovery graduate from inpatient programs in hospitals and rehabs to transitional housing. Some are clinical settings with trained staff around the clock and others are less-restrictive sober homes, which can have a broad range of house rules and services. Graves is executive director of Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing, or MASH, a nonprofit started by state government to solve long-standing problems with sober living homes. It stemmed from a state law that began voluntary certification for its sober homes in 2016.

• Policy regarding smoke‐free living environment and/or designated smoking area outside of the residence.
• In 2023, the significance of the Massachusetts NARR affiliate has grown due to increasing demand for structured sober living environments amid the ongoing opioid crisis.
• MASH maintains a large, public list of members with detailed information about rent payments as well as deposits.

While it is our goal to one day expand the scope of this incredible project, we are currently able to offer sober living scholarships in MASSACHUSETTS ONLY. Individuals interested in applying for RAP funding should follow these steps to ensure they meet the necessary requirements and complete the application correctly. To qualify for RAP funding, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their recovery status, financial situation, and housing needs. BehaveHealth.com stays current with industry changes by attending conferences like the annual NARR conference where experts discuss best practices in recovery housing. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to remain a Level II recovery residence or transition toward a licensed program. Suppose a recovery home enforces daily check-ins, random substance tests, curfews, weekly house meetings, but does not offer group therapy, impose clinical assessments, or bill insurers.

This phase of the residents’ recovery process allows them to gradually test all the coping skills learned in therapy in the real world. At this stage, the sober living home relaxes some restrictions and places more responsibilities on residents. Interaction with the outside world is part of the privileges restored, allowing residents to work or attend school. Attending therapy https://ecosoberhouse.com/ sessions and other programs, such as the 12-step program, remains mandatory. The reintroduction phase can last up to 60 days before a person is ready to move on.

While sober homes provide structure and peer accountability, they are distinct from BSAS-licensed Recovery Homes, which deliver clinical care. Sober living homes in Massachusetts play a vital role in bridging the gap between formal treatment and independent living. For many residents, the journey of recovery doesn’t end when they complete detox or residential treatment—it continues in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. That’s where sober amphetamine addiction treatment living, also known as recovery housing, comes in. MASH-certified homes play an integral role in the continuum of care by offering a bridge between clinical treatment settings and independent living. These homes provide residents with peer support, structure, and accountability—key factors in preventing relapse and promoting sustained recovery.

Key Highlights of the RAP Sober Living Funding Program:

Operators may need to address local definitions of “family” or limits on unrelated residents. The Bak Realty v. Fitchburg (2025) ruling affirmed that sober living homes are protected under anti-discrimination provisions but must still navigate local zoning case-by-case. MASH is short for Minnesota Association of Sober Living Homes, Inc. The St Paul-based organization exists to give a “unified voice for owners of sober houses in situations where a public voice became necessary.” It is a NARR affiliate. Minnesota can be an excellent place to open a sober living center (also known as a recovery residence) for operators who are just starting out in the “halfway house” space. We strive to create a mutual respect and accountability culture where residents can feel comfortable and secure in their journey toward lasting recovery.

• This inspection of The Anthony House includes health, life safety and management evaluation, which makes sure that our home is meeting all of the standards laid out by MASH.
• Policy and procedures for drug screening and/or toxicology protocols.
• Residents of these homes have similar addiction issues and encourage each other to attend therapy sessions and other programs.

Today, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about opening your sober living home in Massachusetts. MASH partners with MassHousing’s CCRI initiative and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) to certify homes and provide technical assistance, ensuring grantees meet high standards. Your vision of opening your own sober house is within reach—let’s make it real.