Find recovery residence and sober living resources for Alabama: voluntary certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR), the Alabama Department of Mental Health's substance use services, fair housing protections, and organizations that serve Alabama residents. Browse the guide below or choose your county.
Step by step
Alabama has no state license, registration, or certification requirement for recovery residences or sober living homes. To open one, check local zoning, know your fair housing protections, write house policies to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards, and consider voluntary certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR).
The steps most new operators follow to open a recovery house in Alabama, in order. Each one links to the official form or rule behind it.
Alabama does not license, register, or certify recovery residences or sober living homes. Certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) is voluntary.
Local governments set their own zoning and occupancy rules for group living. Call the zoning office before you sign a lease or buy a property.
The federal Fair Housing Act bars disability discrimination in housing and bars local governments from using zoning or land use rules to exclude group homes for people with disabilities, which includes people in recovery. Complaints go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Write house rules, resident agreements, and a grievance process using the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and code of ethics, which AARR links on its site. NARR's levels of support describe how much structure and staffing each type of home provides.
AARR holds trainings on what it takes to get a recovery residence ready for AARR certification and on the NARR standards.
Fill out AARR's short request form with your name, title, and recovery residence details, and AARR emails you the application package.
Certified homes are listed on AARR's certified members page, organized by county, which residents and referral partners use to find certified homes.
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Request a free launch consultLicensing and certification
Alabama has no state law that licenses or certifies recovery residences. Certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) and a partner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), is voluntary. Local zoning rules and the federal Fair Housing Act apply either way.
State requirements, local requirements, and voluntary certification are labeled separately. Confirm how they apply to your home with the agency or qualified counsel.
Alabama has no state license, registration, or certification requirement for recovery residences or sober living homes. The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) partners with the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) to encourage safe and healthy recovery homes, but certification is a choice.
The Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) became the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) in 2021 and certifies homes to NARR's national standards. To start, request AARR's application package, which AARR sends by email. Certified homes appear on AARR's list of certified members.
Cities and counties set their own zoning and occupancy rules for group living, so check with your local zoning office before you open. The federal Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities, including people in recovery, from discriminatory housing and land-use decisions. Complaints go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Recovery homes by county
39 AARR-certified recovery residences appear on public lists in 17 of Alabama’s 67 counties (checked October 1, 2026).
Choose a county to see how many recovery houses appear on public licensing and certification lists.
We show counts from public lists, not names or addresses. A home gets its own listing only when its operator asks for one, and the operator decides what it says: who the home serves, its licenses or certifications, and how to apply. The street address appears only if they want it to. Listing is free and doesn’t require ARKHE software.
Looking for a home now? Search the official lists linked above.
List your home for freeBaldwin County Commission · Baldwin County, AL
Baldwin County awards its opioid settlement money to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies that have provided substance use services in the county for at least 12 months. For-profit operators can't apply. The program guidelines, adopted in 2026, list support for recovery housing under recovery support. To apply, email the county's application form to the grants office listed on this page.
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
For residents and families
To find a certified recovery residence in Alabama, use the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) list of certified members, organized by county. Oxford House's vacancy site shows open beds in Oxford Houses. For treatment, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) contracts with community providers that offer sliding-fee services, and anyone in crisis can call, text, or chat 988.
Official directories for finding a licensed recovery house or sober living home, and programs that can help pay for a stay. Programs set their own eligibility, and funding or openings are never guaranteed. Contact each organization to confirm what it can offer.
Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences · Alabama
AARR's list of certified recovery residences, organized by county, with each home's NARR level and who it serves. AARR certification is voluntary.
Checked by ARKHE
Oxford House, Inc. · United States
Search tool for open beds in Oxford Houses (self-run, self-supported recovery homes), filterable by state (including Alabama), county, and house type, with an online application.
Oxford House, Inc. (301) 587-2916; toll-free (800) 689-6411
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Oxford House, Inc. · United States
Nonprofit that charters democratically run, self-supported Oxford House recovery homes, where residents split expenses equally and there is no house manager.
(301) 587-2916; (800) 689-6411
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Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH's substance use treatment initiatives page describes a Recovery Housing Initiative: people with any substance use disorder may receive housing services at recovery residences that ADMH has approved. A separate emergency housing initiative gives approved houses funds for people who are waiting for a residential treatment bed and whose current home is not safe or helpful for recovery. The page describes the wider eligibility as a pandemic change and gives no amounts, dates or application steps. Ask ADMH whether the initiative is still paying for stays and how a house gets approved. Residents should ask a home whether it is ADMH-approved.
Checked by ARKHE
Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH contracts with community providers for outpatient, residential, withdrawal management, and medication-assisted treatment. State-funded providers charge on a sliding fee scale based on income, and a screening at first contact starts the process.
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Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
Anyone in crisis, or worried about someone else, can call, text, or chat 988 to reach a trained crisis specialist. In Alabama, calls are answered by centers in the state.
Call, text, or chat 988
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211 Connects Alabama · Alabama
Free, 24/7 statewide line and resource search connecting Alabamians with food, housing, health care, jobs, and other local services.
Dial 2-1-1
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Alabama Medicaid Agency · Alabama
Alabama Medicaid's starting point for applying, with pages on who qualifies, including children, pregnant women, parents and caretaker relatives, and people who are elderly or disabled, plus applications, forms, and office contacts.
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Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH's list of peer support, including recovery community centers for people with substance use disorders run by People Engaged in Recovery (PEIR) in Brewton, Dothan and Mobile and by R.O.S.S. in Gadsden, Birmingham, Huntsville, Albertville, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Each center's phone number is listed, and centers are open 9 am to 9 pm daily.
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Recovery Organization of Support Specialists (R.O.S.S.) · Alabama
A peer recovery organization offering free peer support from people in recovery, a 24/7 helpline and chat line, and recovery community centers in Alabama, including Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. It also runs a free, self-paced online recovery program, Level Up with EASE.
24/7 helpline 844-307-1760; 205-848-2112
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Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) · Alabama
ADRS's largest division provides individualized employment and education services and training to help youth and adults with disabilities reach their employment goals.
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Funding
In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) describes a Recovery Housing Initiative that pays for housing services at ADMH-approved recovery residences, and its yearly opioid settlement grants for prevention, treatment and recovery support may cover recovery housing costs in some budgets. The federal Recovery Housing Program (RHP) of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is new in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is receiving it for the first time in 2026, its posted plan is a draft, and no application round has been announced. At the county level, Baldwin County awards its own opioid settlement money to nonprofits and government agencies and names recovery housing as an allowed use.
Grants and public programs that can pay operators or cover residents’ stays. Public funding often requires a state license or certification, and every program sets its own eligibility and timeline, so confirm details with the agency.
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) · Alabama
Alabama is getting federal HUD Recovery Housing Program money for the first time in 2026. ADECA's draft plan on this page would award it through a competitive subgrant round open to private nonprofits and city or county governments, and a local government applying must have an agreement with an organization that already runs housing for people in recovery. The money can pay to buy, rehab or build recovery housing, and to pay rent and utilities straight to the landlord or utility for up to 2 years per resident. No application round has been announced yet, so contact ADECA for the subgrant timeline.
[email protected] · 334-353-0323
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH awards a yearly round of state opioid settlement grants in three categories: prevention, treatment and recovery support. For-profit and nonprofit organizations can apply, and ADMH certification isn't needed before applying. The Round 4 bidder's conference slides on this page set recovery support awards at up to $150,000 and say recovery housing costs may be allowed in some budgets. The Round 4 closing date in those slides was August 24, 2026, though the page still says the submission period is open, so check this page for the next round.
334-242-3218
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
Baldwin County Commission · Baldwin County, AL
Baldwin County awards its opioid settlement money to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies that have provided substance use services in the county for at least 12 months. For-profit operators can't apply. The program guidelines, adopted in 2026, list support for recovery housing under recovery support. To apply, email the county's application form to the grants office listed on this page.
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
USDA Rural Development · Alabama
Low-interest loans and grants to buy, build, or improve essential facilities, including transitional housing, in rural areas of 20,000 people or fewer. Open to public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes, not for-profit operators. Applications are accepted year round; contact the Alabama Rural Development state office first.
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Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH's substance use treatment initiatives page describes a Recovery Housing Initiative: people with any substance use disorder may receive housing services at recovery residences that ADMH has approved. A separate emergency housing initiative gives approved houses funds for people who are waiting for a residential treatment bed and whose current home is not safe or helpful for recovery. The page describes the wider eligibility as a pandemic change and gives no amounts, dates or application steps. Ask ADMH whether the initiative is still paying for stays and how a house gets approved. Residents should ask a home whether it is ADMH-approved.
Checked by ARKHE
Official documents
Each entry shows who issued it, where it applies, and when we last checked the source.
Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) · Alabama
ADMH's announcement that the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR), its nonprofit partner, became the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) affiliate for Alabama, so Alabama homes can earn AARR/NARR certification for meeting NARR's national standards.
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences · Alabama
Alabama's NARR affiliate. It certifies recovery residences, links the NARR standards and code of ethics, and holds trainings on preparing a recovery residence for AARR certification.
PO Box 36127, Hoover, AL 35236
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Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences · Alabama
A short form operators fill out with their name, title, and recovery residence details to receive AARR's certification application package by email.
Checked by ARKHE
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division · United States
DOJ's overview of the federal Fair Housing Act, which bars disability discrimination in housing and bars local governments from using zoning or land use rules to exclude group homes for people with disabilities.
Published or revised · Checked by ARKHE
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) · United States
HUD's page for reporting housing discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act.
Checked by ARKHE
Resources for operators
Practical ARKHE guides that pair with the official sources in this guide.
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Get help with your home →Common questions
No. Alabama has no state license, registration, or certification requirement for recovery residences or sober living homes. Local zoning and occupancy rules still apply, and certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) is voluntary.
Certification comes from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). Request AARR's application package through the form on its website, and AARR sends it by email. AARR also holds trainings on preparing a home for certification.
AARR certifies homes to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) national standards and code of ethics. The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) announced in 2021 that AARR's NARR affiliation lets Alabama homes earn nationally recognized AARR/NARR certification.
The federal Fair Housing Act bars local governments from using zoning or land use rules to exclude group homes for people with disabilities, which includes people in recovery, but homes still follow neutral local rules. Housing discrimination complaints go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Request a free listing. You choose what it shows, such as who the home serves and its certifications. The street address is shown only if you want it to be. Listing never requires ARKHE software.
The Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) publishes a list of its certified members, organized by county, with each home's NARR level and who it serves. Oxford House's vacancy site shows open beds in Oxford Houses.
Not by the state. Alabama has no law that licenses or certifies recovery residences. Certification from the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR), a partner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, is voluntary, so ask a home whether it is certified.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health contracts with community providers for outpatient, residential, withdrawal management, and medication-assisted treatment, and state-funded providers charge on a sliding fee scale based on income. In a crisis, call, text, or chat 988. 211 Connects Alabama links people to other local services 24/7.
Ask about costs and what they include, house rules, whether medication for addiction treatment is allowed, how grievances are handled, and whether the home is certified by the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences (AARR) and at what NARR level.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: . Each resource shows the date we last loaded its source.
Compiled by: ARKHE. Listing in this guide is free and never requires ARKHE software.
We include official agency pages, published regulations, and established statewide organizations. Each entry links to its source. Items we could not confirm from a primary source are left out until we can.
County home counts come from the public lists named above, on the dates shown. Closed homes are left out, and homes without a county on the list are placed by ZIP code.
Individual homes are listed only at the operator’s request, and the operator controls what the listing says. Licensing or certification status is shown only with a source and the date we checked it.
Found something out of date? Request a correction.
Operate a recovery home in Alabama, or know a resource we should include? Submit your information or suggest an update to help us keep this guide useful and accurate.
Listing your home is free and separate from ARKHE software. How submissions are reviewed