He has also served in key roles within the recovery community, including as a member of the treatment team for Lorain County Recovery Court and chair of the Ohio Recovery Housing state appeals committee. When considering a recovery residence, it’s essential recovery residence to look for factors such as accreditation and licensing, staff qualifications, program structure, house rules and expectations, cost and insurance coverage, and location and amenities. Ensuring that the residence meets specific standards of care and aligns with your recovery goals can help set you up for success in your recovery journey. In most recovery residences, residents are required to take on household chores to help maintain a clean and orderly environment. This can include tasks such as cleaning common areas, doing laundry, preparing meals, and maintaining personal hygiene.

Group Outings and Having fun in Sobriety
Living with others who are also working towards sobriety provides an added layer of accountability. Residents often form strong bonds and friendships, and these relationships help them stay committed to their goals. It’s common for residents to support each other by reminding one another of their commitments, attending meetings together, or simply being there to listen when someone needs to talk. If you’re considering a recovery residence, whether as a step-down from inpatient treatment or as a long-term support option, it’s important to know what to expect in this living arrangement.
What is the Maine Association of Recovery Residences (MARR)?
- Then the residence is inspected by experienced members of our Membership and Compliance Committee to ascertain if the operator conforms to the current certification requirements of the national organization (NARR).
- As a founder of Purple Inc. and a key figure in the formation of NARR, Joel has been a steadfast advocate for recovery residences nationwide.
- This supporting setting provides a crucial buffer during the early stages of recovery when individuals may be most vulnerable to relapse.
Oxford Houses do not have resident staff managing the individual houses however the model includes training and oversight from the local network of houses and state association, along with technical assistance from Virginia outreach workers. The system encourages the development of leadership skills and self-efficacy and allows residents to learn or relearn values and responsible recovery behavior. Oxford House’s uniquely peer-supportive model has a long record of requiring what is alcoholism its houses to meet high-quality standards.
Brandy Anderson Board Member
As a young organization, we are working to develop programs and practices that help our certified members as they serve the people they care about most. To ensure consistent safety and quality, WAQRR accredited recovery residences undergo annual reviews. The primary mission of WAQRR is to promote the establishment, successful management and growth of high quality community based recovery residences in Washington State.

Peer support is a cornerstone of recovery, and living alongside others who share similar experiences can provide valuable encouragement, understanding, and accountability. Firstly, they offer a stable, substance-free living environment, free from the triggers and temptations that may have existed in the individual’s previous living situation. NARR emphasizes ethical practices in the management and operation of recovery residences, advocating for integrity, fairness, and respect for all residents.

Are there laws in Maine that recovery residences must follow? Is licensing or certification required?
Join us in our mission to elevate the standard of recovery living, making a lasting difference in thousands of lives each year. Compliance is affirmed through submission of extensive documentation, annual onsite inspections, participation in sponsored training, and events and responsiveness to all reported concerns and/or grievances. VARR approved houses demonstrate adherence to a rigorous set of standards that is produced at the National level through NARR.
His personal and professional dedication to fostering change has established him as a leading figure in the recovery community. The NARR Standard 3.0 is the only nationally recognized standard for quality recovery housing. The NARR Standard provides guidance for certifying recovery residences as effective and safe environments that support each individual’s recovery goals. The ultimate goal of a recovery residence is to help individuals successfully transition from a highly structured living environment to independent living. As a resident, you will gradually gain more independence while still maintaining accountability to your peers and the house rules. Recovery residences provide room and board, social support, and a network of peers working toward similar goals.
- MARR-certified residences are permitted to abide by fire code regulations like any other single-family home.
- His efforts underscore the importance of quality, certified recovery residences as essential components of addiction treatment.
- Maine Association of Recovery Residences — mainerecoveryresidences.comThe National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) offers comprehensive details at narr.org.
- Her recognition with numerous awards speaks to her significant impact and dedication to recovery communities.
What does MARR want the public to know about how a recovery residence is a benefit to the local community and society?
- Anthony Grimes’s journey as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist has led to founding a certified recovery residence and the WAR Foundation in Richmond, VA, significantly expanding certified recovery housing in the area.
- Until then, there were no widely recognized best practices or quality oversight in the operation of recovery housing, which has been in existence since the mid-nineteenth century.
- These residences offer a supportive community of peers also committed to sobriety and access to resources and services aimed at promoting long-term recovery.
This structure helps individuals develop habits that will carry over once they leave the residence and return to independent living. Creating routines and balancing responsibilities are essential for avoiding relapse and staying focused on recovery goals. Many recovery residences foster an environment where residents can engage in group discussions or house meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges, and offer advice to others. Hearing about others’ journeys and successes can offer inspiration and guidance while also providing a sense of camaraderie that is essential in recovery.
This environment provides a safe, supportive, drug- and alcohol-free environment and accountability to support each other. Residents work, volunteer, or go to school while also balancing recovery-oriented activities. MARR-certified recovery residences adhere to a strict policy of being “good neighbors in good neighborhoods.” Residents actively work to enhance the local community, complete community service projects, and maintain a quiet, well-kept place. Studies have shown many benefits from a longer-term supportive environment such as that offered by a recovery residence. Recovery residences are home-like, residential environments that promote healthy recovery from a substance use disorder and support persons recovering from a substance use disorder through the use of peer recovery support.