Massachusetts sober houses are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing or MASH. Beyond sober homes, Boston appears to bear much of the burden of the statewide opioid crisis. Of the 3,557 narcotics-related ambulance transports to city hospitals last year, 29 percent were for people who list home addresses outside of Boston. To qualify, operators must satisfy certain criteria, including ensuring that homes are run with fiscal transparency and that residents are supported in their efforts to recover from their addictions. The proliferation of sober homes in Roxbury and Dorchester came as the use of opiates exploded in Massachusetts’ cities and towns. The number of white addicts far outnumbers those who are black or Latino, underscoring the perception that predominantly black and Latino neighborhoods are shouldering more than their share of the burden of these homes, which serve a mostly white population.

These programs emphasize recovery and treatment within a structured setting. Residents are encouraged to integrate with the community and to access community resources. The emphasis of these programs is to assist residents to provide each other with a culture of recovery, support, sharing and positive role modeling.

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For example, if you search for substance use, a search WITHOUT quotation marks would find listings that include the words
“substance” OR “use.” A search WITH quotation marks (“substance use”) would find listings only with the whole phrase “substance use.” Sober House Directory provides information on sober house certification https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/15-benefits-of-the-alcohol-free-lifestyle/ for each state in the database. Please visit the Massachusetts Sober House Certification page for more information about sober house certification in this state. Sober homes and other recovery facilities are very welcome in the village, Golar Richie emphasized, echoing comments made by other residents at the public meeting.

While one set of vocal residents was able to avert the siting of a sober home, it’s clear operators are seeking more opportunities in the area. Find local residential re-entry programs along with resources for employment, government aid, local services including non profit assistance. Villaroel and Golar Richie have since met with Pizziferri, sober house in dorchester Jr. and his son, Joseph Pizziferri III, to gather more information. Through our immersive program sober living developed and honed over 25 years; residents are exposed to the 12 Steps through a wide ranging set of Recovery Methods. Poindexter said she and other neighborhood residents complained to the mayor about the planned sober home.

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The Pizziferris announced at the Mather School meeting that they had 29 Percival St. certified as a sober home and planned to open it as such, contradicting the message neighbors had received from the city. Residents said they weren’t against sober homes or the services they provide, but were instead disheartened that the Pizziferris failed to let neighbors know of their intentions before opening the residences. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) could be forwarded to SAMHSA, ARK Behavioral Health or a verified treatment provider.

Certified or uncertified, the sober homes have become a bone of contention in the Roxbury and Dorchester neighborhoods where most of the sober homes in Boston are located. The Pizziferris emphasized the need for sober homes in a city and region struggling with an opioid crisis. Residents in the 16 Potosi St. home are carefully screened, Pizziferri III told Villaroel and Golar Richie, and sex offenders and those with records of violent behavior or convictions of domestic violence are not allowed to live there. Last Wednesday, the day after a contentious meeting at the Mather Elementary School, Joseph Pizziferri, Jr., who owns a sober home at 16 Potosi St. that houses 19 women, walked over to a neighbor’s house to formally introduce himself to the block. He is facing push back from neighbors after they found out that he planned to open another sober home just two houses over in a large Victorian that he acquired last year.