29/05/2025
What to look for when searching a quality sober living home? There are three very important things to consider.
Certified housing
The best certifying organization is CCAPP. California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals.
They are a leading organization in addiction counselor credentialing. They also certify Recovery Residences “Sober Living” homes in California. They use a national standard set by NARR “National Alliance for Recovery Residence”. Certification means the home is not just claiming structure it is proven. Check out the link below for best practices running recovery residences.
Home | National Alliance for Recovery Residences
The County offers free Certification from RRA Recovery Residence Association
This is free and offers another look at homes to ensure the safety of homes in San Diego County.
2. Accountability
Does the house do drug testing? once or twice a week on a multi UA cup? Breathalyze daily? If a Sober living home does not do drug and alcohol testing then most likely it won’t be so sober. People that are serious about their recovery want that extra layer of protection for their sobriety. It helps them to stay sober because during a weak moment and a fleeting thought of using will be quickly defused with the knowledge they will be tested and found out. This keeps the home safe and sober for the people who really want their recovery. It take months of being in recovery, going to meeting and participating in service for some to really hear the message and choose this way of life. This type of accountability helps the alcoholic and drug addict to really experience the beauty of living in a sober community, having fun and a purposeful life.
3. Safe locations with transportation and walkability.
Most people in early recovery do not have cars and rely on public transportation, having a train or buses local is very important. Being able to walk is extremely helpful. The closer to meeting halls the better to set yourself up for success. It is one of the most difficult things to do in early sobriety is to get yourself to a meeting, get connected and feel that you are part of a group. Being in a house where people are going to meetings together and talking about the path to recovery is a helpful step to long lasting sobriety.
Sober Living Today, LLC in Carlsbad California has all three of these qualities. We have been running Certified housing since 2017. We pride ourself in taking the extra effort to do the necessary paperwork, add the safety measures and pay a little extra to get our certification. We also have volunteered on Soarr.org since 2018 making affiliations with CCAPP to help other homes in North County San Diego to be among the quality certified homes. We also are certified by the County with RRA providing clean, safe quality homes.
We have over 9 years of experience with our accountability and what works and what does not. We use a 14 panel UA cup that includes fentanyl and ETG for an extra precaution. We do daily breathalyzing but the ETG will detect any alcohol within 3 days of use. We are not claiming this is fool proof because there are so many over the counter meds and prescribed that are not detected in a regular drug panel. If someone looks loaded and are unable to adjust their meds for correction we would have to refer them to a more suitable place. We look at the house as a whole and protect the people that are willing and trying to be sober.
Sober Living Today, LLC has some of the best locations in San Diego. We are North County near the beach with a great community of Recovery. Meetings are close by and very walkable! The Carlsbad Village location has four meetings that are 3 blocks away and many more that are within a mile. There are not only many 12 step meetings in area but we also have REFUGE and SMART recover. There is something for everyone, just pick one and count yourself in! Personally I chose AA, here is a link for the many AA meetings in North County of San Diego. Meetings
Our Pier house is across the street from the beach in the City of Oceanside and provides the same accountability while living at the beach with a beautiful roof top to watch the waves while relaxing after a busy day. It is walkable to all the stores and transportation, perfect for early recovery.
We have a couple of other homes in Oceanside, one in Fire Mountain and the other in TRI City area. Each one is clean and provides a safe space to heal.
If you are thinking about treatment and are just curious, call us! Ellie 760-415-3560
