Recovery Residence Levels of Support Explained

Level I: Peer-run

Level I residences generally use democratically managed peer leadership and mutual accountability with minimal staffing. Ask how house decisions are made, what written agreements apply, how disputes are addressed and whether an outside organization administers any part of the residence.

Level II: Monitored

Level II environments add monitoring and commonly a house manager or senior resident, with written policies and support rooted in the household community. Ask whether supervision is on-site, what hours apply and what roles the manager does and does not perform.

Level III: Supervised

Level III typically introduces trained or supervised staff and organized recovery-support activities, including structured peer support and practical life-skills activities. Ask what programming is offered, who provides it and how staff qualifications are described. Do not assume the residence can provide clinical treatment without verifying the actual services and applicable licenses.

Level IV: Clinical or service-provider setting

Level IV integrates professional services with the social model of recovery and may include clinical addiction treatment. Regulatory requirements differ by jurisdiction; in California, licensable residential substance-use treatment services require appropriate DHCS licensing. A statement that a home follows NARR Level IV principles is not proof of state licensure.

What the levels cannot prove by themselves

A claimed support level does not confirm certification by a NARR affiliate, current staffing, property safety, treatment licensing, financial terms, person-specific suitability or available beds. Verify certification status with the responsible organization and treatment licensing with the relevant state agency.

• Ask which organization evaluated the residence and when.
• Request the exact license or certification record rather than relying on a self-applied badge.

How to compare the level you are researching

Describe the general hours of staff presence, expectations for participation, peer and professional roles, written rules, total housing costs and location. Appropriate care decisions are for the person and their qualified team; a support-level label is a useful question starter, not an individualized recommendation.