MASH Certification

Recovery residences — formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment. Sober homes provide mutual support, emphasize independent living skills, and depend on peer leadership. They are not licensed and are not funded by the state.

Donate:The Willing House

Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically-based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster safe living environments for those with substance use disorders. Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically-based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster these safe living environments for those with substance use disorders. The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments. MASH is dedicated to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of residents through rigorous certification standards that align with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for long-term recovery.

VSL works alongside MASH to support and equip Chartered Operators to strengthen their local communities through effective sober housing. We provide clean, affordable and safe housing in good neighborhoods. As you begin your journey of recovery, you will receive support and encouragement from a ready made peer-based and structured living scenario.

In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing). These standards were developed using a collaborative approach with input from regional and national recovery housing organizations. MASH is an affiliate of NARR and used these standards to create Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes. NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ then in 2018. The third version of the NARR standards provides more explicit guidance to providers, including metrics for evaluating the peer support components of a residence’s recovery environment.

• Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors are only able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free (ADF) housing.
• This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state​.
• A list of all sober houses in Massachusetts on Sober House Directory is available here.
• Sober living home information is provided by sober house operators.

In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for sober houses. NARR began to affiliate with state-level organizations to promote evidence-based standards for sober houses and other residential recovery programs and centers. MASH is affiliated with NARR and helps promote these standards at sober houses across Massachusetts. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors are only able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free (ADF) housing. In accordance with this requirement, MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. Our organization also provides supervision and training for sober homes, and maintains a database of more than 180 MASH-certified sober homes.

The Next Step

We provide the new comer with built in peer-based support, where help and a sense of fellowship, which is much needed in early recovery, can be found. It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Vanderburgh House Operators are the largest providers of MASH Certified sober houses in Massachusetts. Vanderburgh House works closely with MASH to develop standards and ensure that their sober houses offer the strongest community and recovery environment in service of their residents. For a list of all Vanderburgh Houses, please visit their website.

From the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing:

At The Willing House, we work to minimize negative influences and triggers, while new, supportive relationships are formed and nurtured through fellowship. We regularly inspect all member sober homes to ensure safety, quality, and the building of a community of recovery. In 2007, eight sober home operators established the nonprofit Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing. Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016.

In July 2014, Massachusetts passed legislation that mandates the monitoring and voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing. Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified. A contract was awarded to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor.

» Certification

Our mission at NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES (NARR) is to enhance access to quality recovery residences by setting standards, providing education, and advocating for those in addiction recovery. A list of all sober houses in Massachusetts on Sober House Directory is available here. If you are looking for recovery resources in Massachusetts, please visit our Massachusetts Sober House Recovery Resources page. We are active from the local to the state level, continuously advocating for the rights of sober home residents and operators.

Transition (e.g. entry, phase movement and exit) rituals promote residents’ sense of belonging and confer progressive status and increasing opportunities within the recovery living environment and community. Our mission is to create and maintain a Christian environment conducive to sober living for men in recovery from addiction who are also transitioning from incarceration at the Worcester County House of Correction. 27.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs. Job descriptions include staff responsibilities, eligibility, and knowledge, skills and abilities needed to deliver services. Ideally, eligibility to deliver services includes lived experience recovering from substance use disorders and the ability to reflect recovery principles.

• Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016.
• Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home?
• Their facility has ample room for the array of activities that compose a holistic addiction treatment program including yoga, guided meditation, music and art therapy, therapy dog encounters, massage and reiki.
• NARR began to affiliate with state-level organizations to promote evidence-based standards for sober houses and other residential recovery programs and centers.
• Policies that value individuals chosen for leadership roles who are versed and trained in the Social Model of recovery and best practices of the profession.

Visit the Vanderburgh House website to learn more about their sober homes. Sober living home information is provided by sober house operators. We try to provide current information but cannot monitor every recovery home listing and do not guarantee the accuracy of listings. Sober House Directory is a helpful starting place to find a recovery home and includes listings for sober houses, recovery residences, structured group homes, and other sober living for men and women in recovery. Research the home before you make a decision.

Sober House Directory

Verification that Naloxone is accessible at each location, and appropriate individuals are knowledgeable and trained in its use. Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures. Documentation that emergency contact information is collected from residents.

Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the sober house recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection. Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building. A weekly schedule details recovery support services, events and activities. Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources.

Community members are all people in recovery who are actively working a program of recovery. Our main focus is to provide a safe and sober environment for recovering addicts and alcoholics. We wish to help people grow and return to society as productive members. We believe in working a recovery continuum that best suits each individual.

Sober House Directory helps you find sober houses, structured group homes, and sober living. Purple pins represent certified homes. Home color identifies men and women. We do not show halfway houses, treatment programs, or rehabilitation facilities. In Massachusetts, sober homes and recovery residences are different models for substance abuse recovery.