Join our sober living community or refer a client, family member, or friend. Submit an application online and receive a call back within 24 hours. Read more about the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), including it’s history, standards, and impact on recovery housing nationwide.
C. Core Principle: Create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership
A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences was founded. NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts. This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state. The journey to recovery requires more than sober homes. In addition to certification information, Sober House Directory provides state-by-state information for recovery resources.
How MASH Certification Ensures Safe, Supportive Sober Housing in Massachusetts
The VSL and Vanderburgh House ™ brands are used with permission by VSL Chartered Operators. A list of all sober houses in Massachusetts is available below. Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources.
A mother’s anguish: Two sons lost to drug overdoses
Traci’s Home, the Ethel Rose House of Refuge and the Dawn’s New Day are all MASH certified — showing that certified operations can vary. The range of management and the lack of regulation worry people who say they do not want sober houses in their neighborhoods. Newell asks those who would keep sober houses out of their neighborhoods to consider the people who live in those houses. Search the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Living (MASH) directory of all certified sober homes, which follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been inspected.
Our staff is kind, thoughtful and approachable. Moreland Terrace neighborhood residents say they resent the NIMBY label, and argue that the stakes are bigger than just their cluster of historic homes. Sober houses have opened around the city quietly for years. Every so often, a neighborhood puts up a fight. MASH investigates all complaints it receives, said Denise Menzdorf, the organization’s executive director.
- Five lost certification for substantiated grievance, six for not following through on the annual recertification requirement.
- Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures.
- She said she and Caleb were led to believe the house would provide regular drug testing and a schedule of meetings to help residents manage their emotional struggles and stay on track.
- MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community.
- Community gatherings, recreational events and/or other social activities occur periodically.
- Sober House Directory helps you find sober houses, structured group homes, and sober living.
The Mayor’s Office for mash certified sober homes Economic Opportunity uses evidence and innovation to reduce poverty and increase equity. It advances research, data and design in the City’s program and policy development, service delivery, and budget decisions. Learn more at nyc.gov/opportunity. “I don’t know if you’d be able to prevent that, no matter where you are,” Scott said. He said many residents have prescriptions for anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
- Evidence that residents’ recovery progress and challenges are recognized and strengths are celebrated.
- Overdose deaths in sober houses, he said, should trigger investigations.
- Vanderburgh House began operating sober living homes in 2016.
- She said staffers check bags when people are coming and going to make sure the house is kept free of drugs or alcohol.