Recovery housing can be a critical asset in supporting individuals on their journey of recovery. Research demonstrates that recovery housing is associated with various positive outcomes, including decreased substance use, reduced likelihood of relapse, lower incarceration rates, higher income, increased employment, and improved family relationships.

Recovery housing is a recovery support service designed by individuals in recovery specifically for those initiating and sustaining recovery from substance use issues. Founded on social model recovery principles, the recovery housing setting itself serves as the service. These homes cultivate prosocial bonds, a sense of community, and a recovery-supportive environment. For populations with higher needs, recovery homes often provide peer recovery support services, additional supports, or actively link residents to community-based recovery or clinical services.

Mississippi Harm Reduction follows SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) recommendations on recovery housing principles, which promote the four major dimensions supporting a life in recovery:

1. Health: Recovery housing helps individuals create a life in recovery by managing substance use—such as abstaining from alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications—and making informed, healthy choices to support physical and emotional well-being.

2. Home Recovery housing provides a stable and safe living environment. Many individuals with substance use issues return to environments that enable addictive behaviors. Secure housing promotes successful recovery outcomes.

3. Purpose: Recovery homes encourage meaningful daily activities by requiring residents to work, attend school, or volunteer. Research shows that those living in recovery housing have higher income and employment rates. These homes foster a family-like environment where residents share mutual aid, responsibilities, chores, and leadership roles.

4. Community: Using Social Model of Recovery principles, recovery housing cultivates family-like relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, and hope. Community support—through peers with lived experiences, trained recovery housing staff, and access to resources—is vital for achieving and sustaining recovery. Camaraderie, empathy, and guidance help individuals develop coping skills and self-efficacy, further supporting their recovery journey.

The support and guidance provided by recovery housing help individuals build a healthy lifestyle and remain on track in their recovery.