In March 2019, NARR released guidelines on how sober living homes should handle residents that are on MAT. Many sober livings are founded on the principles of AA and require abstinence of all drugs, including Methodone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone etc.
More and more sober livings are opening MAT specific sober living homes. Some sober living homes mix MAT residents in with the rest of the residents and have said they have encountered no problems. One Step hosted a panel about MAT and how houses run programs inclusive of MAT residents. To watch this video click here.
There are many misconceptions about MAT that NARR addresses in the article. Some truths that the article addresses is that MAT does work, that it decreases your cravings and reduces drug use, that those on MAT are welcome at AA and that taking Methodone or Buprenorphone is consistent with abstinence based approaches.
Sober living homes should not reject prospective residents because they use MAT to help them stay in recovery from drugs. NARR encourages sober living homes to accept MAT residents in their homes and treat them in the same way as others.
NARR tells sober living homes to become knowledgeable about the benefits of MAT. House managers should be cognizant of residents’ prescriptions and collaborate with prescribing doctors and clinics.
NARR also recommends that you train house managers on how to handle medication, take a daily log of medication, and have strict house rules around medication to prevent diversion (other residents taking another resident’s medications).
To read the complete NARR guidelines, here is the full report: https://narronline.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NARR-C4-NCBH_MAR-RH-Brief.pdf