1. RECOVERY HOUSING-TREATING THE INDIVIDUAL
SCOTT GEHRING
MARK REED LPCC, NCC
SOJOURNER RECOVERY SERVICES

2. Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services(OMHAS)Recovery Housing Defined:
Recovery housing is characterized as a safe and healthy living environment that promotes abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and enhances participation and retention in traditional clinical treatment. Residents benefit from peer support and accountability, and gain valuable relapse prevention, case management and employment skills training as they transition to living independently and productively in the community.

3. The Benefit of Recovery Housing:
Peer support and accountability
Clients gain valuable relapse prevention
Case management-Connection to community resources which may
include more permanent housing resources
Employment skills training as they transition to living independently and productively in the community
A positive, recovery-focused environment

4. Levels of Recovery Housing:
Level I:
Recovery Housing is democratically run by residents who live together like a family.
Housing is most often provided in single family homes.
There are no paid positions to run the housing.
There are no formal supports, though residents provide peer support and house meetings.
Level II
Recovery Housing is monitored by a house manager.
Residents share community spaces and may have roommates.
Residents are supported in accessing community services.
Level III
Recovery Housing is supervised by staff.
Community providers may offer services onsite for residents.
Peer support and recovery action planning are still the central focus of the support.
Level IV
Residential treatment facilities
Staff on site
In house services

5. Foundation To Recovery
4 Keys to success:
Hope- Belief that they can overcome their struggles and challenging situation
Strengths- What it is that they have to offer in the success of their own recovery
Coping Skills- Their learned safety plan to deal with everyday struggles and triggers
Resources- The foundation of their safety plan
Support System:
Family
Friends
Peer support
Employment
Professional systems such as AA/NA, Medical Doctors, therapist, etc.…that offer tools to support their recovery.

6. Four major aspects that support a life in recovery: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Health—overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and, for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being
Home—having a stable and safe place to live; “Recovery Housing”
Purpose—conducting meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society
Community—having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope

7. The Sojourner Difference

8. Cross between Level I and Level II Connection To:
Primarily peer run with support of Clinical Director and Case Manager
Weekly house meetings
Case Management support: Insurance, ID Cards, Birth Certificates, etc…
Connection To:
Community Mental Health Services
Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services
Court Liaison Support Services
Work Programs

9. SOJOURNER RECOVERY SERVICES
Recovery Housing
MAMA’s Recovery Housing
Female adult clients
Ages 18 and up with no children living with them
Two locations 12 beds total
Female adult clients
Ages 18 and up for pregnant mothers or those with infants
One location; currently four completed apartments

10. Factors that can interfere with success
Lack of support systems
Client level of resiliency
Lack of financial support
Client resistance to treatment services
Untreated mental health illness
Untreated chronic health issues
Client’s individualized needs not being met

11. Bridge that lies between success and failure
Clients misconceptions
“I don’t need any more help now that I am sober”.
“My mental health has nothing to do with my sobriety”.
“I just need Suboxone to stay sober”.
“Recovery Housing is all I needed because my environment is why I was using.”
Providers inconsistencies
Lack of communication

12. 2 Major support teams Peer Recovery Supporter
Assist the individual in gaining independence in the community and ownership in their own recovery.
Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment (CPST)
Service provides an array of services delivered by community based, mobile individuals or multidisciplinary teams of professionals and trained others. Services address the individualized mental health needs of the client.

13. Protocols For Safety Administrative insight
We have a Clinical Director who oversees our Recovery Housing as well as a Case Manager
Quality standards
We have application process, protocols and policy and procedures set in place
We also have checks and balances procedures, routine site visits and regular drug screenings
The clients have a “morning meeting” each day to discuss how things are going and if there are any concerns as well as a means for peer support.
Policy and Procedures
Including “House Rules” that the clients must agree to adhere to.

14. REFERENCES https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery