Levels of Sober Living or Halfway Houses referred to as Recovery Residences by NARR and TN-ARR - The Reserve is TN-ARR Certified and provides NARR Level II Services. The following from NARR explains all 4 levels of sober living homes to help you decide which sober living level is best for you and your recovery.
Sober Living homes are essentially classified into 4 different “levels” by NARR. These sober living levels address the level of care and supervision. Of note, many may purport to provide higher levels of care, but exercise due diligence and caution about such claims. Investigate services offered and keep in mind that a sober living home in a residential zoned neighborhood (where almost all sober living are) cannot provide anything service level above NARR Level 2 without potentially violating zoning laws. NARR Level 3 and 4 sober living services may require licensing and zoning laws may general prohibit sober living homes that provide professional services and are licensed as treatment facilities providing a high level of sober living living care.
Most sober living in Nashville Tennessee are NARR level 1 even though many purport to be higher or discuss services. Community meetings and in-house AA meetings run by and attended primarily by sober residents with little or no sobriety obviously is not the same as groups led by licensed counselors or works shops performed by those trained in their field or discipline.
Level 1 sober living homes provide no real recovery-orientated structure (except perhaps requiring sober living residents to attend community meetings at the sober living home, mutual support groups or etc.). Level 4 sober living homes in Nashville Tennessee are referred to as sober living “Therapeutic Communities.” Level 4 sober living homes are comparable to residential inpatient treatment. In-house therapy and sometimes even medical services are provided. The following provides an overview of the difference between the 4 levels of care defined by NARR for sober living homes, halfway houses and/or recovery residences.
- Peer Support: Forming relationships with others who are in the process of recovery can provide encouragement and inspiration – especially from those who are further along in the process.
- Drug-Free Environments: Many patients who have been through treatment have no other option but to return to living environments where drug or alcohol use is either present or readily available. RRs provide a place to live where drugs and alcohol are neither present nor allowed.
- Full-Time Residential: All levels of RRs require residents to stay there full time. While some may allow a day or two away occasionally, most require a 100% commitment to living at the home. Most homes have two or more beds per room, and all living spaces are shared.
- Shared Cost: The basic principle of RRs is that each resident pays a portion of the rent and utilities, as well as other expenses. While most RRs are self-sustaining, some houses do receive federal or state funding to offset the cost, especially level 3 or 4 houses. Many RRs require the residents to work, or at least be actively looking for work.
- House Rules: Each RR has it’s own house rules about who can move in and what’s required of residents. Common rules include regular chores, random drug and alcohol tests, and strict rules regarding activities like stealing and sexual conduct. Many houses also require residents to regularly attend some sort of therapy, such as AA or NA meetings, 12-step alternatives, or counseling sessions.
Level 1 Sober Living Homes, Halfway Houses and/or Recovery Residences
- Level sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences provide the least oversight and level of sober living services. The Oxford sober living houses fit this level of care and supervision. Please tour all Oxford houses carefully and ask questions before moving in to determine whether that environment is right for you and whether you will be happy in such an environment.
Oxford sober living Houses are governed by a charter and rules decided at the outset. Rules are kept to a minimum and houses a run democratically. Sober Living residents vote on matters and no outside supervisor or manager is hired. The houses tend to be cheaper and the environments can be hectic with sober living residents having little or no sobriety. Testing may not be strictly enforced.
The sober living houses may require residents to attend recover meetings such as AA or NA. Most level 1 sober living homes do not provide recovery services in the sober living residence, except perhaps some 12 step meeting or community meetings at the sober living home.
The cost of Level 1 sober living homes, halfway houses or recovery residences is usually rent, utilities, and other shared expenses divided by the number of residents.
Level 2 Sober Living Homes, Halfway House and Recovery Residences
Level 2 sober living homes, halfway houses and/or recovery residences typically have a supervisor or house manager responsible for ensuring that sober living residents comply with sober living house rules, resolve complaints and test sober living residents for drug or alcohol use.
Level 2 sober living homes can have onsite, non-professional services such as peer driven and/or peer run groups and other services that are not offered by licensed professionals.
Level 2 sober living houses may have a strict requirement for recovery group attendance, getting a sponsor, having a home group, attending outside services such as PHP, IOP, counseling or therapy.
Monthly rent may include small fees charged for services offered, drug testing and etc. in addition to actual payments for rent, utilities and shared expenses. This makes level 2 sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences slightly more expensive than level 1 sober living homes.
Level 3 Sober Living Homes, Halfway Houses and Recovery Residences.
Level 3 sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences are still referred to as "sober living homes," but they include various aspects of clinical treatment.
The primary purpose of Level 3 sober living homes is still to provide a drug and alcohol free environment for sober living residents, but they offer more structured programs with professional services.
Level 3 sober living homes may have paid counselors and staff to assist patients in developing aftercare plans and to provide groups or counseling.
Level 3 sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences are supervised and managed by paid staff, rather than self-governed such as Level 1 or 2 sober living homes. Level 3 sober living homes are, therefore, more expensive than Level 1 and Level 2 sober living homes as funds are needed to pay for professional counselors and staff.
Sober Living Levels of Care and Narr Sober Living Levels Explained further Below. The Reserve Luxury Sober Living in Nashville Tennessee is TN-ARR Certified and provides NARR Level 2 Services.
Level 4 Sober Living Homes, Halfway Houses and Recovery Residences
Level 4 sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences are not typically considered a sober living home. These are more commonly referred to inpatient treatment or after care residential accommodations. These are generally referred to as Therapeutic Communities. Therapeutic communities are a structured, clinical environment and are usually full-service, meaning that residents don’t have to go offsite for treatment.
Sober living residents in Level 4 sober living homes are usually not permitted to work and not permitted to come and go as they please. Level 4 sober living homes, halfway houses and recovery residences are more a lock down type of residential living treatment facility. These can be very costly and much more expensive than Level 1, 2 or 3 sober living homes.
The NARR Levels of Sober Living, Halfway Houses and Recovery Residences
Level 1
- Self-help, peer-support groups
- Self-scheduled third-party treatment
Democratic; Peer accountability and oversight - Low to Moderate Sober Level Supervision Level
Level 2
- Self-help, peer-support groups
- Self-scheduled third-party treatment
Peer-elected supervisor - Low to Moderate level of sober staff supervision - Mix of Social & Clinical
Level 3
- Semi-structured treatment plans
- Self-help (often guided by support personnel)
- Peer-support groups (often held on-sight throughout the day)
- Self- or counselor-scheduled third-party treatment
Staff Supervision Level- Moderate to Severe - Clinical Approach
Level 4
- Structured treatment plans
- Onsite counseling
- Onsite peer-support groups
Staff Supervision - Severe