Question to ask when picking a sober home
Below are answers to common questions we are often asked either at meetings or prior to attending meetings. If you don’t find the answer to your question either post it on our Facebook Page or email us at capecodpsp@gmail.com.
The way a sober home answers these questions could determine if they are right for you or a loved one.
- Do your research!!! Not all houses are good houses, even if they are MASH certified! Does a supervisor live on the property?
- Is the residence coed? Experts agree that newly recovered addicts, especially women, are vulnerable. Dating and relationships in early sobriety can focus on recovery, so coed homes are not the best early recovery environment.
- What will happen if I relapse? Do they have individual relapse protocols that include contacts and alternative housing arrangements?
- Have there been any overdoses or deaths? Is the staff trained in CPR?
- How often do you drug test? Are tests random? What kind of tests? Is there a charge for tests?
- Do you bill insurance? Sober homes are not licensed to offer medical care and cannot bill insurance for services, including rent.
- How much is the rent? How is it paid? What does the rent include? What is the refund policy? Are there rules about pocket change and money transfers? Experts warn insured residents to be leery of free rent, gift cards, cellphones, gym memberships, and other inducements if linked to attendance at an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or the provision of urine samples.
- Do you have an ownership interest or receive referral fees from an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or lab?
- Have there been any complaints filed against the sober home or its employees, including code violations?
- How much training, education, and clean time do you require of employees, including house managers?
- Are properties and vehicles that transport clients insured? Are clients allowed to drive vehicles?
- Are there 12-step meetings on the property? Do you provide transportation to meetings? The grocery store? Is there public transportation within walking distance?
- What are your policies regarding guests and furloughs?
- What is your cellphone policy?
- What is the maximum occupancy? How many to a room? How many bathrooms?