Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California

Background Sober living houses (SLHs) are peer-managed residences that require sobriety and household participation among residents who rent rooms on a monthly (indefinite) basis and otherwise live normal lives according to personal schedules and needs. The houses do not provide counseling or services, but regular attendance at 12-step or other types of mutual-help groups is generally required. Approximately 1000 sober living houses, members of two state-wide organizations, operate in California to serve a large and complex population. This presentation provides an overview of work conducted to date studying sober living houses in Northern and Southern California.