Substance-Free and Recovery-Friendly Housing Information

Searching for A Substance Free Off-Campus Living Experience?

If you are looking for substance-free or recovery-friendly housing, keep reading! Below are some definitions describing this experience provided by the Wellness Resource Center. Please read thoroughly to figure out if this experience meets your needs/interests. For more resources surrounding substance use and recovery, please visit the Wellness Resource Center's Resources page.

You can use a filter on our listing map following the instructions below to search only for properties who have identified at various levels of alcohol/substance-free or recovery friendly. While the search criteria is called “Alcohol-Free,” we have asked all landlords who select this box to further explain what that means to them in their individual listings.

Click “Housing” on the black bar at the top of the page
Click the dropdown titled “More” all the way on the righthand side
Scroll to the “Community Features” section and you will see a checkbox for “Alcohol-Free” - if you hover over the “i” next to this checkbox, you will see a note that properties who identify as “Alcohol Free” could have various definitions of what that means. See their individual listings for more specific information.
When you click this box, you will see only properties actively listed on the site who have identified as Alcohol or Substance free.

You can also use the Roommate Search tool to look for roommates who are also looking for a substance-free living experience. Pay special attention to the “Social Behaviors” section – you can filter to specifically look for other students who match your preferences in this area by following the instructions below.

Click “Roommates” on the black bar at the top of the page
Log in with your TUcredentials (we require a sign-in for this part so only students can see each other’s profiles; they are not posted publicly for anyone to search)
Click “Advanced Search” on the righthand side
Click the checkbox for any of the responses you would like to select

Definitions

Halfway House: A transitional point between an institution such as a correctional or rehabilitation facility and full independence. Halfway Houses help gradually reintroduce residents back into society and have systems in place to support residents' sobriety.

Recovery: A period of change and growth where an individual is working to improve their overall health and wellness that best supports their needs. There are multiple pathways to recovery, and the individual has the power to decide what works for them.

Recovery-Friendly: Term often used to describe workplaces or communities. Recovery-friendly housing often provides education, accommodation, and facilitates connection to resources for those in recovery. Not necessarily clinical in nature.

Recovery House: A licensed home in the state of Pennsylvania that receives referrals from state/state-funded agencies for government funding. Licensed locations can be found on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s website.

Sober Living: A living community that is substance-free for individuals abstaining from substance use. Residents are expected to cover the cost of living as they are not publicly funded. These living situations are often for those exiting a full-time rehabilitation program or currently engaged in an outpatient rehabilitation program.

The National Alliance for Recovery Residences have outlined four different levels to sober living programs:

1. Peer-run: These living facilities do not have any staff or specialized services present. Operations and programming are facilitated by peers to cultivate a supportive community for those in recovery.

2. Monitored: Primarily peer-run, but there is a senior staff member or student that oversees operations.

3. Supervised: These facilities have a higher level of oversight as well as a clinical component. For example, they may provide outpatient services for residents.

4. Integrated: These living facilities offer peer-based services alongside clinical services. They are typically attached to a pre-existing rehabilitation institution or licensed provider.

Substance Use Disorder: Medical term to describe patterns of a person continuously using substances even though it may interfere with their everyday life and relationships.

Substance Free: Complete abstinence from all substances including alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and other drugs.

Things to Keep in Mind

Recovery housing is different from in-patient treatment.
Definitions of recovery-friendly housing may vary between landlords, hence why it is important to ask questions to understand if the program will best fit your needs.
There are multiple pathways to recovery. Find what works best for you and helps you reach your goals.
Temple University offers free walking escorts and Flight shuttle services to students who live off-campus.

Example Questions to Ask Landlords

Since landlords may vary in their definition of recovery housing, below are some questions to get a deeper understanding of the resources that the living situation will provide. This is not a comprehensive list, and it could change based on an individual's needs.

What resources and services are offered to residents or tenants in recovery?

If considered a sober-living program, what level is it?

Are there any staff members present to support or counsel tenants in recovery?

If so, are those staff members licensed or clinical providers?
Is it government-funded?

What is the cost to live here?

What is included in the cost?
- Ex: rent, bedding, food, and services?

What are the requirements to remain a tenant?

Do residents need to attend 12-step meetings, outpatient treatment, and/or a recovery program?
Do residents need to stay abstinent from all substances?
Is there a drug test requirement?
Do you have to be a student to live here?
Do you have to be in recovery for a certain amount of time?

Are there rules tenants have to abide by?

Is there a visitation policy?
Is there a curfew?

Landlord Guide

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