Core rules across the industry
The rules exist for one reason: to protect the environment. One person’s use in a sober living house isn’t a personal choice — it puts everyone else’s recovery at risk. The rules aren’t punitive; they’re architectural.
Every accredited sober living home enforces the same basic set. What varies is enforcement, honesty about consequences, and clinical integration.
The full rule set
- No substances — alcohol, illicit drugs, unprescribed medications, or use of prescribed medications outside their prescription.
- Random testing — urine, breath, or saliva. Refusal is treated as a positive result.
- House meetings — usually weekly, all residents attend.
- Mutual-help meetings — AA, NA, SMART, Refuge, or clinically equivalent. Attendance tracked.
- Curfew — typically 10 or 11pm weeknights, 11pm–midnight weekends.
- Chores — rotated among residents. House stays clean because residents keep it clean.
- Rent on time — first of the month, or a mutually agreed schedule.
- Guest policy — approved daytime guests only. Overnight visitors need approval.
- Engagement in treatment — Real Deal requires PHP or IOP attendance during the first phase of stay.
- Respect for housemates — no violence, threats, theft, sexual boundary violations, or dishonesty about use.
What happens when rules are broken
Consequences depend on the rule, the honesty, and the pattern. A first missed meeting gets a conversation. A dirty test with honest disclosure and same-day re-engagement in treatment usually doesn’t mean discharge. Repeated or hidden use does.
The clinical team and house leadership coordinate every consequence. No one gets discharged for a technicality; but no one gets to jeopardize the house either.
Real questions the intake team hears on the phone.
Depends. First test with honest disclosure + immediate treatment re-engagement usually means increased structure, not discharge. Hidden use or repeated positives typically means discharge.
Yes. No blackout rules on communication.
No — SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, or clinical group all count. The requirement is regular recovery-focused peer contact.
Yes — most residents work or are actively looking. Work schedule is coordinated with curfew and treatment.
Approved guests, yes. Overnight visits require house approval and are usually reserved for family or long-established partners.
Prescribed medications are allowed but usually stored securely with house leadership if they’re controlled substances. Talk to intake.
Sources & further reading
Medically reviewed by our clinical team
Last reviewed September 2026. This article is educational and is not medical advice. In an emergency call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
