NARR Standards for Recovery Residences

Jul 1, 2017

NARR (National Association for Recovery Residences) has standards which many state associations and coalitions have adopted and imposed on their members.

Below are the standards for the different levels of sober livings.

All recovery residences (Level I-IV) must:

• have written mission statement and code of ethics.
• comply with state and federal requirements
• clearly identify who is in charge of the sober living to the residents
• provide a drug and alcohol free environment and have written permission if they are renting, from the landlord, to operate a sober living on the property.
• have an accounting system (ie Quickbooks) that documents all resident’s payments
• have a screening process for applicants that desire to live in the sober living so as to keep the environment safe and drug and alcohol free
• keep resident records secure with limited access to authorized staff only
• have an onboarding procedure with all new residents to explain to them their rights and requirements before signing any agreement
• provide supportive environment including peer based interactions, house meetings, community gathering and social events
• abide by local building and fire safety codes, provide food and personal item storage, functioning smoke detectors, community room to hold house meetings and one bathroom for every 6 residents
• provide neighbors with contact information of the person running the house

There are 4 levels of sober living. Depending on which one your sober living falls under, you will have varying requirements.

Level I: Peer run sober livings
Admin: none
Services: drug screening, house meetings
Residence: single family home
Staff: No paid positions
Operations: Make emergency numbers available to residents

Level II: Monitored Sober Livings
Admin: House manager
Services: drug screening, house meetings, house rules
Residence: single family home, apartment
Staff: At least 1 compensated person
Operations: Make emergency numbers available to residents

Level III: Supervised Sober Livings
Admin: Admin oversight, organizational hierarchy
Licensing: varies by state
Services: life skills emphasis, clinical services provided outside of house
Residence: single family home, apartment, other
Staff: Facility manager, certified staff or case managers
Insurance: Must carry general liability insurance
Data: Must report process and outcome data for continuous quality improvement
Operations: Make emergency procedures and staff phone numbers available to residents

Level IV: Service providers
Admin: Overseen organizational hierarchy, clinical supervision
Licensing: varies by state
Services: life skills emphasis, clinical services provided in house
Residence: all types, step down phase with care continuum of a treatment center
Staff: Credentialed
Insurance: Must carry general liability insurance
Data: Must report process and outcome data for continuous quality improvement
Operations: Make emergency procedures and staff phone numbers available to residents

Source: NARR