Find Sober Houses in Norwood, Massachusetts

Homes that complete the certification process demonstrate their commitment to quality, safety, and resident well-being—meeting operational benchmarks that align with NARR’s evidence-based standards. 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. Since 2016, state-funded referrals have been limited to MASH-certified sober homes — a testament to the organization’s credibility.

Why MASH Certification Matters

You must attend the MASH Sober Housing 101 Training for Potential Operators before applying. This training provides an overview of operational standards, certification expectations, and regulatory requirements. Failure to secure adequate insurance exposes operators to financial liabilities and legal challenges. In the event of a lawsuit or claim, uninsured operators may alcohol rehab face substantial expenses, jeopardizing the operation of the sober house and resident well-being.

Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing

The city’s inclusive environment makes it an excellent place to pursue a sober living lifestyle. Brockton, Massachusetts, often called the “City of Champions,” is known for its strong community values and resilient spirit—qualities that also make it a supportive environment for individuals in recovery. Sober living in Brockton provides a critical bridge between inpatient treatment and full reintegration into daily life, offering individuals a structured, substance-free space to continue healing. With easy access to Boston and Cape Cod, Brockton offers a blend of urban opportunity and suburban calm, ideal for those seeking recovery-focused housing options. Milton’s sober living landscape includes certified residences such as Rockland Recovery – Sober Living, located at 648 Canton Avenue.

Massachusetts Medical Examiner: Duties and Compliance Guide

Once you’ve completed the training and gathered your documentation, submit your MASH Certification Application. This form includes details about your organization, property, leadership, and operational practices. MASH requires that all new operators complete a Sober Housing 101 Training before submitting an application. This free training covers everything from resident management and community relations to policies and compliance.

Operators must navigate these regulations carefully to avoid legal disputes while ensuring compliance. You can filter the map view to only display certified homes, as well as filtering for gender and other criteria. A year in the making by a staff of ten, the Fletcher Group’s 82-page Recovery Housing Landscape Report provides an in-depth overview of the most recent laws, policies, and funding affecting recovery housing.

MASH or Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Living is A Great Resource When Starting Your Sober Living Home

• Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing.
• Residents benefit from shared living spaces, on-site laundry facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and spacious yards for outdoor activities.
• 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.
• These operators contribute significantly to Northampton’s recovery ecosystem, ensuring that individuals have access to the resources and support necessary for a successful transition to independent living.
• Recovery in Woburn is strengthened by the city’s commitment to offering a variety of resources.

For individuals in Braintree seeking a high-quality sober living option, Champion Sober House in nearby Brockton provides convenient access. Champion Sober House is a men’s sober living home operated in collaboration with Vanderburgh House, offering a structured and supportive environment just a short drive from Braintree. 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. Milton, MA, is a suburban town in Norfolk County known for its leafy residences, strong community services, and easy access to Boston.

These operators contribute significantly to Northampton’s recovery ecosystem, ensuring that individuals have access to the resources and support necessary for a successful transition to independent living. H.5228 (2022) Order relative to authorizing the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to make an investigation and study of mash sober housing certain Senate documents concerning mental health, recovery homes and lifesaving treatment. The Union and Harrison Sober Houses feature amenities designed to foster comfortable and recovery-focused living experiences. Residents benefit from shared living spaces, on-site laundry facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and spacious yards for outdoor activities. The homes’ recovery models emphasize peer support, regular house meetings, and adherence to house rules, including curfews and mandatory participation in 12-step meetings. VSL Chartered Homes offer a trusted, high-quality option for individuals seeking stability, structure, and support.

• Before MASH will certify your sober home, your property must pass a detailed on-site inspection.
• Sober house certification in Massachusetts is administered by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
• MASH requires that all new operators complete a Sober Housing 101 Training before submitting an application.
• ”Certified alcohol and drug free housing”, alcohol and drug free housing that has been accredited by the bureau pursuant to this section.
• Familiarizing yourself with these standards will help you prepare your home and avoid delays later in the process.

This funder is a health conversion foundation that was founded when Healthsource Inc. of New Hampshire purchased Central Massachusetts Health Care Inc. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Central Massachusetts residents. 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. As of July 2024, the total cost for certification is $425, which includes the application and inspection. Once paid, you’ll receive your certification and listing in the MASH Directory—a key source of referrals for many homes.

For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing​. Learn about NARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support, specifically Level II, which applies to the type of sober homes MASH certifies. Violations of health and safety codes can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 per day.

Other local options include The Milton House Men’s Sober House, which emphasizes peer support, structured routines, and nearby resources like employment assistance and counseling services. Additionally, regional operators such as Resurgence Recovery maintain sober living homes across the South Shore—including Milton—providing gender-specific environments focused on accountability and purposeful living. Together, these operators support sustainable recovery by offering safe, stable, and recovery-oriented living conditions aligned with Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) standards. 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. Operators in Brockton often manage homes that follow best practices like house meetings, regular drug testing, curfews, and peer mentoring. Each home may offer slightly different services or house structures (gender-specific, 12-step-based, faith-oriented, etc.), but all share the goal of helping residents maintain sobriety in a stable setting.

Find Certified Sober Living in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, certification isn’t just a recommendation for sober living homes—it’s the standard. Non-compliance with sober house standards in Massachusetts can lead to significant repercussions. While MASH certification is voluntary, losing certification affects credibility and the ability to attract residents seeking structured environments. The legal framework governing sober houses in Massachusetts is multifaceted, involving state and local regulations. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 127A, empowers the Department of Public Health to establish health and safety standards for residential facilities. By choosing a certified sober house in Massachusetts, residents gain access to environments built to support long-term success in recovery.