Finding the right sober living home / recovery housing can feel overwhelming—especially when info online is outdated or unclear. Recovery Resource Alliance is built to make that search easier, with resources organized by state and structured around widely-used standards like NARR’s levels of support.
Start with these 12 questions
What level of support is this home? (Level I–IV)
Is the home affiliated with a state certification program or standards body? (If yes, ask how it’s verified.)
What are the house rules—and how are they enforced?
Is there a house manager or staff on-site? (Common in monitored homes.)
What’s the relapse/return-to-use policy? (Clear, written, fair.)
Is drug/alcohol use prohibited on the property? (It should be.)
What’s the weekly schedule like? (Meetings, chores, curfew, responsibilities.)
How do residents resolve conflicts or file concerns?
How is privacy handled? (Visitors, shared rooms, information shared with families/probation, etc.)
What are the total costs? (Move-in fees, weekly rent, deposits, “extras.”)
What support exists for work/school/reentry needs?
Can you speak with a current resident (if appropriate) or see community guidelines?
Red flags to watch for
No written rules, no clear accountability
Pressure to pay immediately before you can view the place
“We guarantee sobriety” type claims
No clarity on who manages the home or how safety issues are handled
A listing that looks abandoned online (old phone numbers, broken websites, inconsistent info)
Use the “level of support” to match needs
NARR’s framework exists because people need different environments at different stages—peer-run, monitored, staffed, or clinically integrated settings.
Next step: Go to Browse by State on Recovery Resource Alliance and start with your state page. If you find a broken listing or missing resource, hit Submit Resource so we can review and improve it.