About CoRH
Recovery residences, also referred to as recovery homes and sober living houses, provide individuals with substance use disorders with a safe, healthy, and substance-free living environment where they can be supported in their recovery from addiction. While recovery residences recognized by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) as Level II, do not provide professionally delivered clinical services, they typically aid in promoting long-term recovery maintenance and enhancing quality of life in individuals affected by severe substance use disorders (Mericle and Miles, 2017; Mericle et al., 2019). Residents in these spaces are able to build their own recovery resources by forming relationships with other residents in the home as recovery housing fosters a supportive environment where people can share their experiences and challenges with recovery (Pannella & Paquette, 2016). In addition to providing peer-support, recovery residences often provide other services to help individuals gain the necessary skills to progress towards living as an independent and productive community member (The Society for Community and Research and Action, 2013; Mericle et al., 2017).
Although research related to recovery homes is somewhat limited, several studies have demonstrated the positive impact a well-run recovery residence provides for individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder. In a longitudinal study, Polcin et al (2010) interviewed 300 individuals at different intervals and found improvements in alcohol and drug use, arrests, psychiatric symptoms and employment. Even after having left their respective recovery residence, almost half (42-46%) of the participants reported total abstinence from drug use at the 18 month interval (Polcin et al., 2010). A more recent study assessing the impact recovery housing has on readmission rates and patterns of healthcare utilization, found that housing reduced readmission rates to inpatient recovery or detoxification programs (Roth, Jones, & Vartanian, 2023). This difference was seen among individuals who entered a recovery home after being discharged from inpatient services compared to individuals discharged as unhoused. Studies such as these, highlight the role recovery housing plays in improving outcomes for individuals managing substance use disorders and increasing cost savings for acute care services.
Despite being able to provide the vital elements for an individual to transition from early to long-term recovery, the lack of cohesiveness in regulation and oversight has resulted in the wrongful treatment of vulnerable individuals in recovery through patient brokering and intentionally deceptive insurance practices (Model Recovery Certification Act, 2021). Established in 2011, the NARR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the availability of ethical and well-operated recovery homes across the U.S., was established in response to the growing need for evidence-based best practice standards 4 and oversight (NARR, 2017). The NARR has since become the only nationally recognized standard for recovery housing and continues to grow its network through state affiliates who enforce these national standards in their state through certification of recovery homes. While NARR and other statewide organizations have been able to aid in the demystifying of recovery housing, operators and the public still struggle to overcome challenges regarding lack of funding and resources, policy and regulatory shifts, as well as the stigma associated with operating and living within these homes.
While progress has been made in the enactment of policies and regulations in regards to recovery residences, a need for cohesive guidance and advocacy for these organizations is still evident. As part of their Opioid Initiatives, an invested team of researchers at Arizona State University sought to assemble a group of recovery home leaders in Arizona to promote best practices within the recovery space. This effort aimed to sustain the progress made through Project MATTRRs, also known as “Medication and Treatment Technical Assistance for Recovery Residences.” The vision of Project MATTRRs was to help ensure the protection and access to recovery housing services for all those in need. While ASU took the steps to start this initiative, it will look to the newly formed Council on Recovery Homes (CoRH) to sustain efforts in articulating and disseminating best practices across that state of Arizona.
Developmental Process
A call for interested individuals was promoted via ASU’s State Opioid Initiatives social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. In addition to social media, the ad was also shared via the Opioid Initiatives second newsletter which was successfully delivered to 6,043 individuals and opened by 2,940. The requirements to join the council included owning or leading an Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) licensed recovery home, at least 5 years of experience in the recovery home field, and a familiarity with state-level oversight for recovery home licensure. Followed
by the call for applications, Arizona State University associate professor Dr. Natasha Mendoza and project coordinator Nika Hernandez conducted interviews to gain a better understanding of potential members’ experience, familiarity with state-level oversight licensure and reasoning for wanting to serve on the council. Eleven individuals responded to the call for applications and 8 were interviewed.
Out of the total of 8 individuals interviewed, all were selected to be part of the advisory council. Throughout the initiation of the council’s activities, however, two original members departed and three additional individuals joined for a total of nine council members.
