“In the worst cases, some bad actors do not encourage recovery at all, but exploit vulnerable individuals in order to collect insurance payments,” the testimony notes. The Hobbs administration began to grasp the scope of the fraud scheme in the weeks that followed, said Christian Slater, the governor’s spokesperson. Hobbs asked the health department to develop a plan to address it, and asked AHCCCS to sober house prepare for a humanitarian response and create a list of providers suspected of fraudulently billing Medicaid. Even as AHCCCS struggled to stop the schemes, it was clear the behavioral health care industry was aware of fraudulent billing, according to agency documents.

Who Benefits from Sober Living Houses?

That same year, Ducey appointed Jami Snyder, a deputy director at AHCCCS and former head of Texas’ Medicaid agency, to serve as director of AHCCCS. She pursued new initiatives, like additional mental health services and housing options for Medicaid recipients. She also had a more hands-off approach to agency operations, including fraud prevention, than her predecessors, according to former AHCCCS employees. Program staff should have proper training and accreditation, and the residence should submit to regular inspections to ensure the highest standard of care. Additionally, many sober living programs work in conjunction with an addiction treatment program.

Key Features of Sober Living Houses

They allow residents to engage in community activities, share experiences, and develop relationships that promote accountability. Research suggests positive outcomes, particularly for those participating in 12-step programs alongside life skills training. A sober living house can be a valuable support for people in recovery, providing stability, accountability, and a sense of community. These homes help residents create a new, sober life while receiving support from others who are also in recovery.

Some houses offer sliding scale fees, payment plans, or other assistance to make residency accessible. We partner with most major insurances, enabling you to access premier therapy services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) fully endorses level three sober homes.

A sober living house is a place where people recovering from addiction can live together in a safe, substance-free environment. These homes offer routines, rules, and support from others on the same path, helping residents move from treatment to independent life. Unlike inpatient facilities, sober living houses don’t have strict 24/7 medical oversight, allowing residents more freedom to build skills and independence while still having a supportive community around them.

They also tend to be affiliated with addiction treatment centers that provide outpatient programs. Most homestays will cost between $500 to $1,200 monthly, with all services included. But they can be anywhere between $300 and $2,000, depending on the neighborhood and amenities. Since sober living typically follows addiction treatment, getting a referral from the treatment provider is recommended. Other referral sources may include the criminal justice system, a mental health professional, Twelve Step meeting participants, or friends and family. Whatever the source of the referral, take a tour of the facility and talk to the people living there to decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Is There a Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway Houses?

Sober living homes are places where someone in recovery can find independence while learning to seek and obtain community resources necessary for long-term recovery. You can enjoy healthy meals in the evening, followed by group therapy sessions. Nighttime is often reserved for free time when you can call loved ones, read books, or watch television. Halfway houses are very similar to other sober-living residences, and it’s no surprise that people often confuse them. You can also look into Oxford Houses, which provide all recovering users the opportunity to develop comfortable sobriety without relapse.

Level One

While sober living houses have research touting their efficacy, it is also important to remember that they are still environments where you are living with others and the focus is on staying sober. Halfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured. Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks. Other times, they function as a more intensive residential facility, meaning that there is consistent recovery programming, requirements, and staff present in the house. Leaving the structure of the treatment program can be very disruptive to your sobriety, so treatment programs have strict schedules filled with counseling, group therapy, and participatory activities. The 105-page lawsuit was filed on behalf of sober living facilities it claims were racially discriminated against during the state’s crackdown on fraudulent sober living homes.

Understanding the Different Levels of Care at Samba Recovery

• Acceptance to a sober living home means residents agree to the rules, schedules, and guidelines that support recovery.
• For instance, in cities like Los Angeles, the average cost tends to settle around $900, with options for basic dorm-style living being more affordable.
• Sober living homes are essential for individuals transitioning from addiction treatment to independent living.
• These houses are often considered a vital part of the recovery continuum and can be a helpful resource for those in need of additional support.
• If you think a sober living house might be the best environment for you as you prepare for your next step in your sobriety journey, ensure that the facility you are considering is properly run.

So when getting back on our feet and in recovery, cooking and cleaning for ourselves is part of a healthy recovery plan. Let’s say you or a loved one has almost completed an alcohol or other drug addiction treatment program. Or maybe you’re going to start an outpatient program, but living at home isn’t a sober, supportive environment for you. Something important to note is that sober living houses are not the same as halfway houses.

Arizona suspended scores of behavioral health providers as authorities investigated them for defrauding the American Indian Health Plan. Heredia then briefly blocked another attempt by AHCCCS’s billing experts to cap reimbursement rates, this time at $158, records obtained by AZCIR and ProPublica show. Heredia then briefly blocked another attempt by AHCCCS’s billing experts to cap reimbursement rates, this time at $158, records obtained by ProPublica and AZCIR show. Snyder did not mention the fraudulent facilities several days later when she went before a legislative committee to discuss a recent audit shortly before stepping down as AHCCCS director.

With professional connections between treatment programs and aftercare housing, patients can ensure they do not lose time transitioning between levels of care. They are environments free of substance abuse where individuals can receive support from peers who are also in recovery. There is no time limit on how long someone can live in a sober living house. While meeting attendance and household duties may be required, there isn’t regimented treatment programming present in the home.

He said he took his son home, only for him to go back to Phoenix a month later and enter a new treatment program. The state’s Medicaid agency, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, acknowledged the fraud cost taxpayers as much as $2.5 billion. But it has not accounted publicly for the number of deaths tied to the scheme. If you return to your home environment—whether it’s stable and supportive or not—it’s crucial for you to follow your aftercare plan to ensure you continue to get the support and help you need. Residents usually sign a contract or written agreement outlining all of the rules and regulations of living at the sober living home.

Stay informed

Sign up for the AZCIR newsletter and ProPublica’s Dispatches newsletter. Always ahead of the curve, HCG is spearheading the charge to turn scientific potential into real-world impact. “We’re filing this lawsuit today for justice and accountability,” said Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump. She took information from everyone who reached out, collecting all documents in a banker’s box.

Finding a Sober Living Program Near You

It took me awhile to get used to being with a group of guys like myself. But together we have learned to manage and maintain the house and interact as a family. Oxford House, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ organization that employs both office and field staff to provide technical assistance to the network of houses to foster the expansion of the Oxford House Model. Ready to determine whether sober living could be a beneficial next step in your alcohol journey? This step-down approach fills an urgent need in the recovery community and provides a crucial source of social support — one of the pillars of successful recovery.