experience, strength and hope in recovery

The Benefits of a FARR-Certified Recovery Home

Supportive housing is critical for permanent change — What we can’t do a lone, we can do together

Recovery from addiction is a complex and ongoing process that requires a safe, supportive environment. In Florida, the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) certification ensures that recovery homes operate under high standards of care, integrity, and accountability. Choosing a FARR-certified recovery residence can make a profound difference in the quality of care and the success of an individual’s recovery journey.

This blog will explore the many benefits of a FARR-certified recovery home and why such certification is essential for anyone seeking sober living in Florida.

What is FARR Certification?

Understanding FARR and its Mission

FARR, the Florida Association of Recovery Residences, is a nonprofit organization established to promote ethical and effective recovery residence services. FARR is an affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), an organization that creates national standards for sober living environments. FARR-certified homes adhere to these standards, ensuring that individuals in recovery are given the structure and support needed to sustain long-term sobriety.

The Importance of Certification

In an unregulated industry, certification is crucial to safeguard the quality of care. Without standards, anyone can open a recovery home, and that can lead to poorly managed environments that may hinder recovery rather than help it. FARR’s certification process includes a thorough review of policies, procedures, and living conditions to ensure that recovery residences provide the highest level of care possible.

1. High Standards of Care and Accountability

One of the most significant benefits of FARR certification is the guarantee that a recovery home adheres to nationally recognized standards. These homes must pass a rigorous evaluation process, covering everything from the physical living space to the operational policies that govern how the home is run.

Comprehensive Evaluations

FARR-certified homes are assessed on various aspects, including:

Safety: Homes are required to meet safety standards, including fire codes, cleanliness, and secure living conditions.
Support Systems: Certified homes must offer structured support for residents, such as 12-step programs, therapy, or peer counseling.
Ethical Conduct: All staff must adhere to ethical practices, maintaining respect, dignity, and confidentiality for residents.

By choosing a FARR-certified recovery home, individuals can trust that they are in a safe, well-managed environment conducive to their recovery.

2. Professionalism and Training

Well-Trained Staff

A FARR-certified recovery home employs staff who are trained and knowledgeable about addiction recovery. FARR requires home operators and staff to undergo continuous education to stay updated on best practices for treatment and resident care. This ensures that the people responsible for managing the home are not only equipped to support residents but also understand the complexities of addiction.

Importance of Credentialed Staff

In unregulated recovery homes, the staff may lack proper training, potentially putting residents at risk. FARR-certified homes, however, have credentialed professionals who can manage crises, provide emotional support, and help residents navigate the various challenges that come with maintaining sobriety.

3. Structured and Supportive Environments

The Power of Routine

Structure is a vital part of recovery, and FARR-certified homes provide a well-regulated environment with clear rules, curfews, and schedules. This structure helps residents develop new, healthier routines to replace the destructive habits associated with addiction.

Group Support and Accountability

One of the most significant benefits of sober living in a FARR-certified home is the peer support system. Living with others who are also on the road to recovery fosters a sense of community and shared accountability. Group meetings, house chores, and communal activities help to build camaraderie and reduce feelings of isolation, which are common in early recovery.

Residents learn to rely on one another for support and encouragement, creating an environment where everyone is committed to staying sober.

4. Safe and Drug-Free Living Environment

Drug Testing and Zero-Tolerance Policies

FARR-certified homes maintain a strict drug-free policy. Regular drug testing ensures that residents are committed to their recovery and helps maintain a clean and safe environment for everyone. This kind of accountability is vital, as it reduces the risk of relapse and reinforces the importance of maintaining sobriety.

Recovery-Oriented Environment

Unlike unregulated recovery homes, FARR-certified homes foster an environment explicitly designed for recovery. These homes often have house meetings, regular check-ins with staff, and access to resources such as group therapy, 12-step meetings, or other recovery-based activities. This keeps the focus on sobriety, self-improvement, and personal growth.

5. Access to Resources and Community Connections

Integrated Care Systems

FARR-certified homes are often well-connected to a broader network of recovery resources, including addiction counselors, outpatient treatment centers, and healthcare providers. These homes typically have established partnerships with local organizations, making it easier for residents to access medical care, therapy, employment assistance, or other services that support their recovery.

Building Bridges to Independence

One of the goals of a recovery home is to help individuals transition back into independent living. FARR-certified homes provide life skills training, including budgeting, job searching, resume writing, and time management, all aimed at helping residents achieve long-term success in sobriety. Residents may also receive support in reconnecting with their families and rebuilding their social lives in a healthy, productive manner.

6. Legal Protections and Compliance

Fair Housing and ADA Compliance

FARR-certified homes operate in full compliance with state and federal laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This ensures that residents are protected from discrimination based on their recovery status and that homes are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This legal framework offers a layer of security and assurance to residents that they will be treated fairly and equitably.

Licensing and Accountability

One of the problems in the sober living industry is the number of homes operating without proper oversight or accountability. FARR certification ensures that homes are licensed and held accountable by state and local authorities. Should any issues arise, residents and their families have a clear avenue for filing complaints or seeking recourse.

7. Promotes Long-Term Sobriety

Reduced Relapse Rates

Research has shown that individuals who live in structured recovery environments have lower relapse rates than those who attempt to stay sober on their own. A FARR-certified home provides a relapse prevention framework through monitoring, drug testing, and peer support, making it easier for residents to maintain sobriety.

Positive Peer Influence

Peer support is one of the most powerful tools in recovery, and FARR-certified homes capitalize on this by fostering a sense of community. Residents can share their struggles, successes, and coping strategies with one another, which can be incredibly motivating. The sense of belonging to a group of like-minded individuals on the same path helps residents stay focused and committed to their sobriety.

8. Transparency and Ethical Business Practices

Financial Transparency

One concern with unregulated recovery homes is the potential for unethical business practices, such as hidden fees or exploitative financial arrangements. FARR-certified homes must provide transparent, upfront information about costs and services, ensuring that residents and their families know exactly what they are paying for.

Clear Admissions Process

FARR-certified homes are committed to ethical practices from the very beginning. The admissions process is clear, fair, and based on an individual’s needs and recovery goals, not on their financial ability alone. This ensures that recovery homes do not exploit vulnerable individuals in need of help.

9. Community Reputation and Trustworthiness

Established Community Presence

FARR-certified recovery homes have a positive reputation in the local recovery community and often have long-standing relationships with healthcare providers, treatment centers, and legal professionals. These connections are a testament to the trustworthiness and effectiveness of the home. Choosing a FARR-certified home ensures that residents are part of a trusted and respected network.

Commitment to Ethical Care

By upholding strict ethical guidelines, FARR-certified homes ensure that their residents receive dignified, compassionate, and professional care. This commitment extends to maintaining a positive relationship with the surrounding community and acting as responsible neighbors.

10. Support for Families

Family Involvement in Recovery

FARR-certified homes recognize the importance of family in the recovery process. Many certified homes offer family programs, workshops, or counseling to help families understand addiction and learn how to support their loved ones in recovery. This holistic approach strengthens the recovery process by involving the entire family unit.

Communication and Transparency with Loved Ones

For families, the decision to place a loved one in a recovery home is significant. FARR-certified homes offer transparent communication, keeping families informed about their loved one’s progress and any concerns that may arise. This open dialogue fosters trust and allows families to play an active role in their loved one’s recovery.

Conclusion: Why Choose a FARR-Certified Recovery Home?

Choosing a FARR-certified recovery home offers peace of mind and a higher likelihood of sustained recovery. The certification guarantees that residents live in a safe, supportive, and structured environment designed to foster long-term sobriety. With well-trained staff, access to community resources, legal compliance, and a focus on ethical care, FARR-certified homes stand out as a beacon of hope in the recovery journey.

For individuals seeking recovery and their families, the benefits of choosing a certified home over an unregulated one cannot be overstated. When it comes to finding a place to rebuild lives and start fresh, FARR-certified homes are the gold standard in Florida.

Facing Our Fears

Da Vinci Home LLC is not a traditional recovery house. We do many events that help our residents face their fears and gain self-esteem. Recovery is a whole new way of life with new people who are not using. The exceptional part about that is the bravery it takes when an addict has been completely robbed of their self-esteem. Facing our fears is key to building self-esteem.

Fire walk — Another epic person, staring fear in the eyes.

Fears with Self doubt

Most addicts come to a recovery house with many legal issues and a plethora of people who have lost faith is them. They must gain new support and try a new way of life. So many times they have to try a new career and learn to cope with new expenses. For many its has been years since they have been responsible for their own well being. Even more daunting, is that they have never learned to cope. As an addict myself, I know that moment of being stuck in a downward spiral.

never alone

It was very important to me in my early recovery to be surrounded by other women in different phases of their recovery. It was instrumental for me to encourage the women who had it harder than I did. I was also important to receive encouragement from women who had succeeded and overcome the challenges, I had. A recovery community didn’t allow me to stay in self pity. At the end of a day, we all had a good laugh and went to bed ready to tackle the new challenges in recovery. There was no shortage of kindness and compassion. When things were particularly difficult, the women consoled one another. I learned that facing our fears was learning to trust myself.

Bonding and self discovery

At Da Vinci Home LLC, we try new things and do our best to enjoy our new life. By creating creating memories, we create bonds. By creating community events, we unite the girls with their recovery community. They take pride in the success and learn they are valued members of Da Vinci Home LLC, the recovery community and the community at large. Facing our fears can simply mean learning to trust and form friendships again.

Our annual fire walk event

This has become an anticipated event enjoyed by our recovery community. We create beautiful pictures and videos they can share on social media. Showing their world they are growing and involved. Isolation becomes a thing of the past.

A Recovery House

Living In A Recovery House

Living in a recovery house is an unusual experience. The statistics indicate that one out of nine people are an addict/alcoholic. So, just with that statistic just over ten percent of the population may ever even hear of a recovery house. And then only less than three percent will ever be a resident of a recovery house.

Unfortunate Circumstances

If you wee fortunate enough to fall on unfortunate circumstances,such as a raging drug addiction or diabolically severe alcoholism, you may have ended up in a recovery house. It’s definitely a bottom that only the most severely addicted come to enjoy.

Support And INDEPENDENCE

I write in jest, but seriously a recovery house is a place where addicts can put their life together again after the devastation of active addiction. It is place where everyone is also learning to incorporate 12 step recovery in their every day life. And because there are others doing the same, there is much support and accountability. Even better, you gain a new set of friends who become family.

Remove the stigma and remove the pressure

My experience with a recovery house was that, I didn’t have to explain my circumstances. I didn’t feel like the biggest schmuck in the house. I was surrounded by other women in different phases of their recovery who wanted to see me succeed and had no judgement for where I was. I met the fiercest friends. Friends who would sit up at night with me and blow up my phone if I was absent. They refused to allow me to go back to my old behaviors. The gave me patience and time to get recovery in my way.

On a winning streak

No one who goes to a recovery house is on a winning streak. But today I am on a winning streak. I could never have achieved five years sober without my fierce friends. It’s a “we” program. I have had so many wonderful adventures with my friends from a recovery house. I most importantly continue to journey with these wonderful women. I will always have them no matter where their journey takes them. And I would never change that I began my recovery in a recovery house.

Sober living journey — I share an inspiring story with all of these women.

What It Takes To Recovery From Alcoholism

What It Takes To Recover From Alcoholism

Addiction is so confusing. If you are the addict, its hard to know how much help you will need to recover. Its hard to know what kind of help you need. More importantly an addict doesn’t know how much they will have to invest in recovery. If these questions are hard for the addict suffering, it is that much harder for the loved one of an addict. This is what it takes to recover from alcoholism.

Make Time To Treat Your Disease

As a recovering alcoholic, I know that faced with the certainty,that I had to do something was overwhelming. Almost all forms of treatment for the disease of addiction require a substantial amount of time away from your children, and the rest of your family. I certainly felt as though I couldn’t afford that time away. If I spent that time away from work,and my kids, surely I would loose everything.

Never Underestimate The Power

I continued to underestimate my disease for four years. I slowly lost everything from my fiance to my children. Eventually lost my freedom. I had been arrested for criminal possession charges. I still underestimated my disease.

Denial Will Surely Make Recovery Longer

If I had read this article before all of this happened to me I would have said, “no way, that will not happen to me.”, but even after it happened to me, I continued to believe that I could manage my life. I was angry at everything trying to keep me from making my own decisions. I just wanted unlimited second chances. I was quite literally insane.

Consequences

As a result, the drug offender probation, that was suppose to be eighteen months with the possibility of terminating at 9 months, turned into two years. I didn’t know how to live life. I didn’t understand that consequences were static and couldn’t be manipulated. I was unable to outsmart a judge who had worked with thousands like me before.

Lessons That would Help Me

The biggest lesson, I learned was that I was going to have to do more than work on my addiction. I was going to have to work on everything that sabotaged my success as a human being. That meant, I was going to have to take care of those anger issues. I was forced to release my co-dependent nature. Dealing with the grief of loosing my mother and brother, was now something, I could not hide from. Learning that childhood trauma dictated the relationships, I have with everyone, needed to be addressed because failed relationships was a big factor in why I drank. Most importantly, I had to find the courage to face the consequences, my disease of addiction had caused me. To further humble me, I had to own the pain I had caused my children, friends, other family, institutions and my community.

I admit failure but I could not admit defeat

At times it did in fact feel like too much. I felt like I was loosing my rights as a human being. Being honest with someone else was easy. Actually being honest with myself was another story. I could admit my colossal failure but I could not admit defeat.

Halfway house gave me tools and courage

At some point in my probation, the judge had ordered me to halfway housing. Although I was not ready to give up on doing things my way, i did start to learn that it wasn’t hurting me to add something else to what I was doing. I liked the meetings that halfway housing made me go to. Reluctantly, I had to admit that I was enjoying the camaraderie of living with other women who were like me. I also enjoyed the fact that it was easier to be with others struggling to return to normal life.

Trusting other Alcoholics/addicts so that I could be held accountable was hard

It would be quite a few more months before I could completely surrender but the transformation was beginning. I was starting to enjoy my recovery and I was learning to express my set backs and achievements with others that could appreciate it. Other addicts held me accountable in a way that was undeniable because, they knew and experienced the same things.

No more a victim, I was pushed to carry on

I still continued to make mistakes but now I had a support system that loved me through them even when they still held me accountable to the consequences. They didn’t allow me to play the victim but still lovingly encouraged me to continue with my recovery. I slowly made changes.

Self esteem and Support Helped me to continue to grow

Eventually I gained enough self esteem through the love I received from other addicts to make additional changes and let go of things that were harming me and holding me back. Against my best efforts, I was becoming someone who could live life like others with out the use of drugs and alcohol.

I could not have done it without halfway housing

Halfway housing is not a apart of every recovering addicts story, but I was instrumental in mine. I did more than than just learn life lessons, built a relationship with my twelve step fellowship, and gained a support network that would love and guide me through life’struggles. I had women who celebrated moments that only another addict could understand. I had connection. I will never be alone, ever again.

Surrendering Saved Me In My Addiction

Just Quit Drinking

This is a blog about how surrendering to my addiction saved me. As a recovering addict, i remember not even knowing how to get clean. I didn’t even understand how serous my disease was. I felt all the physical symptoms. I knew how horrific withdrawal from alcohol was. I knew what cravings were. I certainly felt the emotional pain of being trapped in a body that craved alcohol and simultaneously knowing that every drink was going to bring me to devastating withdrawal. The answer seemed so simple. Quit drinking.

Useless suggestions

All the suggestions to quit drinking seemed so vague and quite frankly not the answer. Go to AA. Go to a meeting when I simply couldn’t stop drinking, didn’t even seem possible. Other suggestions to go to rehab seemed even more impossible. After all, I had a business and children. I had a significant other that i couldn’t abandon. I just had to quit drinking.

Detox

I did finally call a hot line. They directed me to a detox. I admitted myself. They were compassionate. I was safely detoxed. The exit planner,asked me how I would continue to treat my disease. I was quite sure, I would be able to continue with sobriety myself. All I had to do was not drink anymore.

Moderate Drinking

Three days later, I was drinking again. Moderation was going to make me normal. Moderation was impossible. Drinking with my boyfriend and singing karaoke was how we spent our free time. That is how we blew off steam. That was the foundation of our relationship. Pretty soon he had to go blow off steam with out me. I could not drink in moderation.

More detox and an arrest

Several more times, I tried to detox. Eventually, I lost my business. Eventually, I lost my boyfriend. Eventually, I lost everything, including my freedom. I eventually turned to other drugs. I was not successful with that either. I was arrested for possession. Now I was about to see what it actually going to take for me to quit drinking.

humility is gucci — humility is a powerful armor

alcoholism and probation do not mix

Graduating Pasco County Drug Offender Probation took nearly two years. I was suppose to only be a eighteen month probation. I even had to option to early terminate at nine months. Raging alcoholism and and probation do not compliment one another well. I violated probation on June 11th, 2014 for drinking. My clean date is June 12th 2014. One day at a time, providing I maintain my spiritual condition and God will, I have not had a drink since. I have not put any drug into my body period.

A toxic romance makes things worse

I violated probation three more times and was sentenced to house arrest. sober for an entire year, I was feeling defeated. I was working but, I was still living in a sober house. The man I had started a new relationship was not supportive. quite the opposite. He hindered my recovery at every turn. Feeling completely alone, I thought this relationship, was all that I had.

Things get worse

Even worse, I wasn’t making enough money to pay probation, my rent or child support. I couldn’t drive because i couldn’t afford to pay the fines. I wasn’t reconnected with my kids. There was no hope of finding different employment, because of the time demands of court appearances, random drugs tests, and checking in for my house arrest probation.

Giving up was the best decision

Surrender was the sweetest release. I knew there was absolutely no way to make all of my financial obligations. To me jail was a certainty. What ever plans I had for my future, I gave up. There was no point in trying to do things my way. For the first time, I threw myself into recovery, meetings, and my support.

a choice not to suffer

The result was almost instantaneous. Spending my time enjoying all the things I would miss, when eventually I fell far enough behind on my probation and the judge would finally violate my probation. When I wasn’t working and attending AA and NA meetings, I was teaching myself to meditate. Audio books that helped me to find a higher power. Being present was becoming a state of being. I was enjoying my fellowship.

an odd thing started to happen

An odd thing started to happen. Waking up in the morning and setting my intentions to enjoy the day and make the most of it, changed me. Every day I was finding more peace. More challenges would cross my path and because, I already felt defeated, I put only put direct energy toward those challenges. I would share with my support. When help was offered, I accepted it. I was humble for the first time ever. Some how, my challenges were defeated instead of me.

my loved ones started to notice

When, I talked with my children, they noticed a difference in me. I was seeing them. I was able to help them when they needed me. Sharing my new experience with my family and other addicts was restoring my self esteem. I started to feel worthy of a new life. A life that was offered to me. Not a life I was seeking. Feeling awake and able to count my gratitude like resources allowed me to be my most efficient self. I no longer chased what I didn’t have be humbly utilized what I had been blessed with. Armed with gratitude, humility and faith blessings and opportunities came from every direction.

Accomplishments and service

Graduating drug court was the first of my relief. I have since then recieved so many blessings. I remain humble and vigilant. a daily maintenance of my spiritual state of being, is the most important thing I do. Meetings, meditation, step work and service to other addicts, keep me sober and free from my old misery.

Free from the obsession

I am free from the obsession to use. Now I have an amazing life. I no longer see my addiction as a curse but I understand that I was blessed to have had that experience to have a life, I can always find peace with. It required that I let go of everything including the way I always thought. A journey like that has to come with some pain and hard work.

Armed with gratitude and humility

I’m grateful to both Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The many people who helped me along the way. Most importantly, I grateful to the higher power of my understanding to bless me with a chance at life that only a desperate addict could appreciate in this way. Surrenduring to My addiction saved me.

Thank you kind reader for taking the time to read this. For more experience, strength and hope, read on.