Sober living & aftercare

Sober living homes, also called recovery residences, are substance-free shared homes where residents support each other and follow house rules. They’re not treatment themselves, but they make treatment stick.

How recovery residences work

• You pay rent and share household chores
• Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed, and residents are usually drug tested
• House meetings, curfews and a house manager keep things on track
• Residents work, go to school or attend outpatient treatment during the day
• Support levels range from peer-run homes to homes with on-site staff

Why certification matters in Florida

Florida certifies recovery residences through the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR), the credentialing entity approved by the Department of Children and Families. A certified home has passed an inspection, meets standards and is run by a certified recovery residence administrator.

Under Florida law, licensed treatment providers generally can only refer patients to, or accept referrals from, certified recovery residences. That rule exists because of past abuses, where homes and programs traded residents for insurance money.

Questions to ask before you move in

• Is this home certified by FARR? Can I see the certificate?
• Who is the house manager, and is there staff on site?
• What does it cost each week or month, and what’s included?
• How often is drug testing done, and what happens after a positive test?
• Do you accept residents on medication for opioid use disorder?
• Am I free to choose my own outpatient program?
• How many people live here, and how many share a room?

Aftercare beyond the house

Recovery support doesn’t end when you move out. Alumni groups, peer recovery coaches, 12-step and SMART Recovery meetings, ongoing therapy and medication all help. Your treatment program should leave you with a written plan for the first year. Find support groups on our resources page.