Recovery Housing Injustice
What Makes Recovery Housing Ethical?
Ethical recovery housing follows national standards set by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) and is certified in Ohio by Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH). Certified homes share key characteristics:
Drug-Free Environment: Residents must abstain from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, with regular testing.
Peer Support: Individuals live and recover together, reducing isolation.
Clear Rules & Structure: House meetings, curfews, chores, and shared responsibilities promote stability.
Accountability: Residents work toward recovery goals and respect group expectations.
Where the Unethical Practices Come In.
Unfortunately, not all homes follow these standards—and not all homes on state registries are truly certified.
Common unethical practices include:
Forced Treatment Enrollment tied to housing.
Medicaid Billing Abuse through unnecessary services.
"Free Rent" in Exchange for Insurance scams.
No Oversight or Resident Rights
Per the Ohio Recovery Housing Development Guidebook (March 2022 update), patient brokering is not a valid or ethical funding source for recovery housing providers. As outlined on page 17, the guidebook states that recovery homes must comply with federal legislation, including the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (HR 6), which prohibits offering or receiving anything of value in exchange for treatment referrals. This aligns with national standards and guidance from SAMHSA, which further warns against referral kickbacks and incentivized placements, emphasizing ethical funding and resident protections. As outlined in Best Practice 4.
Something’s Not Right? Say Something. If you or someone you know is experiencing unethical, unsafe, or questionable practices in a recovery home — don’t stay silent.
File a complaint directly with Ohio Recovery Housing and help protect others in recovery.
Using the State Registry
Ohio's recovery housing registry is available here:
Important to Know:
The registry is hosted by OhioMHAS but they do not certify homes.
Certification is handled by Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH).
Some homes on the list may be in-process or not certified at all.
Always verify certification directly with the operator or ORH before placement.
RJNI: We Do the Vetting For You
Recovery Justice Network Initiative (RJNI) goes beyond the directory:
We confirm active certification with ORH or the provider.
We remove homes if certification lapses or red flags are reported.
We accept real-time updates from the community.
We publish a monthly-updated, verified housing list.
If you're a resident, provider, or advocate—reach out to us. We believe in truth, transparency, and protecting recovery.
Disclosure Statement: Recovery Justice Network Initiative (RJNI) does not own, operate, certify, or endorse any recovery housing providers. We are not a treatment center or regulatory agency. Our verified housing list is based on publicly available certification data and direct communication with housing operators. We aim to include only homes with active Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) certification, but certification status may change at any time.
RJNI assumes no liability for the practices or conditions of any listed provider. We exist to promote transparency, reduce harm, and advocate for ethical recovery housing across Ohio. To report unsafe or unethical housing, contact Ohio Recovery Housing or your local authority.
How Recovery Justice Network Helps
We support people navigating the court-treatment pipeline by
Exposing unethical referral networks
Educating individuals and legal advocates on treatment rights
Connecting people to ethical, evidence-based care
Pushing for policy that protects treatment autonomy
Recovery begins with dignity — not coercion.
Disclaimer: Recovery Justice Network Initiative (RJNI) is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. We provide education, advocacy, and support to empower individuals to understand and assert their rights. If you need legal advice, please contact a licensed attorney or your local public defender’s office.
