Vanderburgh House – Sober House

What to Expect in a Recovery Residence

House rules differ from home to home, and the operator is the only authority on this one. The expectations below are the ones common to almost every certified recovery residence in the United States — use them as the checklist for the questions you ask when you call.

1. Complete abstinence from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. This usually extends to alcohol-containing mouthwash, kratom, kava and delta-8 THC products. Prescribed medication is a separate question — see below.
2. No alcohol or drugs on the property. Bringing substances into the house or giving them to another resident is the one rule that almost never gets a second chance, because it puts every other resident’s recovery at risk.
3. Prescribed medication is registered and stored securely. Ask how medication is stored, whether staff observe doses, and — critically — whether buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone are accepted. They should be.
4. Random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing. Typically observed urinalysis two to three times a month, plus after an overnight pass or any time there is a concern. Refusal or dilution is normally treated as a positive.
5. Recovery meeting attendance, verified. Most homes require several mutual-aid meetings a week. A good house is not exclusive to one fellowship — AA, NA, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery and faith-based groups should all count.
6. Work, school or programming within a set number of weeks. Employment, education, an outpatient schedule or documented volunteering. Clinical schedules should always take priority over a shift.
7. Rent paid on time, curfew kept, chores done. Ask for the fee schedule and the resident agreement in writing before you commit, including what happens to a deposit.
8. A written policy on relapse. Ask what happens if someone uses. A well-run residence responds with a same-day referral to detox or a higher level of care, not a turn onto the street.

Questions worth asking before you move in

Your Rights as a Resident

Location & Contact

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