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WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR A SOBER LIVING?

Sober living is more than a place—it's a framework for recovery built on clarity, structure, and both professional and peer support. The best practices for sober living standards, as defined by NARR and NIDA, emphasize ethical care, peer connection, and evidence-based approaches that protect dignity and promote healing. 

The Overlook

THE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN CODIFIED BY NARR

The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) emphasizes best practices for sober living that include providing safe, alcohol- and drug-free community-oriented homes where residents practice skills vital for sustaining recovery. Their standards are built on a social model approach that fosters peer support, shared responsibility, and structured environments tailored to different levels of recovery needs. Key elements include ethical care, resident empowerment, house rules with peer accountability, life skills development, and a culture of respect and belonging.

 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights that effective sober living environments support recovery by promoting stability, accountability, and engagement in ongoing treatment and peer support. They stress the importance of managing addiction as a chronic condition, using evidence-based behavioral therapies, relapse prevention strategies, and tailored support for individual needs. Structured sober living homes act as a bridge from treatment to independent living, reinforcing routines, community connection, and relapse prevention.

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Together, NARR and NIDA best practices underscore sober living as a supportive, structured, and peer-driven environment that integrates ethical standards, recovery skills, and clinical insights to promote long-term sobriety and wellness.

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Core Environment Zero-Tolerance Policy enforced with regular, random drug and alcohol testing (Urine and/or EtG).Ensures a safe, sober environment, reducing temptation and relapse risk.

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Zero Tolerance

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House Structure

Support & Accountability-Structured Rules (e.g., curfews, mandatory house meetings, assigned chores/responsibilities).Rebuilds discipline, structure, and life skills for real-world functioning.

12-Step

Recovery Focus-12-Step or Mutual Aid Requirement (e.g., mandatory daily or weekly meeting attendance, working with a sponsor).Establishes a foundation in long-term recovery principles and a peer support network.

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Professional Oversight

Professional Oversight-Live-in House Manager/Mentor (often a senior resident or paid staff) who enforces rules and provides guidance. Provides immediate support, crisis management, and consistent accountability.

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Purposeful Activities

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Reintegration Focus-Requirement for Purposeful Activity (Employment, schooling, or active volunteer work for 30-40+ hours/week).Promotes independence, self-sufficiency, and a new sense of identity.

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Clinical Connection

Clinical Connection-Access to Outside Clinical Services (IOP/PHP, therapy, case management, and specialized programs).Ensures co-occurring disorders and underlying issues are addressed by licensed professionals.

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MY HAPPY SELF 

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RIGHT PATH HOUSE, LLC

203.339.1191

On the beautiful Connecticut shore, we own and operate two gender-specific homes: a men's and a women's house in Clinton and Madison. In safe, certified, and comfortable sober houses, each offers a community where we get well and find purpose.

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Here's how:

​1. Assess each potential resident’s needs and determine whether the level of support available within the residence is appropriate. Provide assistance to the resident for referral in or outside of the residence.

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2. Value diversity and non-discrimination.

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3. Provide a safe, homelike environment that meets NARR Standards.

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4. Maintain an alcohol- and illicit-drug-free environment.

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5. Honor your right to choose your recovery paths within the parameters defined by the residence organization.

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6. Protect your privacy and personal rights.

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7. Provide consistent and uniformly applied rules.

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8. Provide for the health, safety and welfare of each resident.

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9. Address each resident fairly in all situations.

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10. Encourage you to sustain relationships with professionals, recovery support service providers and allies.

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11. Take appropriate action to stop intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment and/or otherwise threatening behavior of residents, staff and visitors within the residence.

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12. Take appropriate action to stop retribution, intimidation, or any negative consequences that could occur as the result of a grievance or complaint.

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13. Provide consistent, fair practices for drug testing that promote your recovery and the health and safety of the recovery environment and protect the privacy of resident information to the extent allowed by law.

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14. Provide an environment in which each resident’s recovery needs are the primary factors in all decision making.

 

15. Promote the residence with marketing or advertising that is supported by accurate, open and honest claims.

 

16. Decline taking an active role in the recovery plans of relatives, close friends, and/or business acquaintances who may apply to live in the recovery residence.

 

17. Sustain transparency in operational and financial decisions.

 

18. Maintain clear personal and professional boundaries.

 

19. Operate within the residence’s scope of service and within professional training and credentials.

 

20. Maintain an environment that promotes the peace and safety of the surrounding neighborhood and the community at large.

RIGHT PATH HOUSE LOGO with motto "when recovery meets Life"
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