More Regulation for Sober Living? Connecticut Residents Push for Sober House Oversight.
Failed Safety: A Mother’s Fight Against Sober House Negligence
A Mother’s Heartache: The Loss of Brian Tobin in a Sober House
When Mary Beth Tobin answered the phone on November 3rd, she couldn’t have imagined it would be the last link to her son Brian’s life. Hours earlier, 25-year-old Brian died of a heroin overdose—alone, vulnerable, and recently evicted from the sober home that was supposed to help him heal.
His death left more than just sorrow—it left questions about a broken system, one in which unregulated sober homes often fall short of their promise to protect and support people in recovery.
A Broken System: When Sober Homes Fail to Protect
Brian had been staying at a sober house in Torrington, Connecticut, a residence that, by its very nature, was intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals recovering from addiction. But the house failed him when it mattered most.
Just hours before he died, Brian was evicted for using drugs—a decision that, while consistent with many house rules, was applied inconsistently. Another resident, Josh Schneider, who also used substances that night, was not evicted. That double standard haunts Mary Beth, who now speaks out to highlight the dangerous lack of structure and oversight in many sober homes.
“My son didn’t need punishment. He needed support,” she says.
In certified sober homes, especially those adhering to standards set by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), there are clear protocols for responding to relapse—protocols that focus on intervention and safety, not just ejection.
Overdoses and Unregulated Sober Houses: A Dangerous Combination
Brian’s story is far from unique. Torrington has seen multiple overdoses in sober homes, including the death of Kyle Stoltz, 42, who was found in a Taylor Street sober house. Despite the supposed safety of sober homes, too many residents continue to fall through the cracks. Drug use often goes undetected, as room inspections and regular drug tests are not consistently enforced. Freedom House, where Brian lived, was one such place. The house manager admitted that he didn’t search residents’ rooms, citing a lack of strict enforcement—a sign of the unregulated nature of many sober homes.
The Need for Certification: How Sober Homes Can Improve
What could have made the difference for Brian? The answer may lie in the certification and oversight of sober living homes. While organizations like NARR work to certify recovery homes with strict guidelines on resident safety and support, many sober houses operate without these standards. Certified homes enforce structured living plans, regular drug testing, and ongoing support for residents in recovery. Unfortunately, Freedom House, where Brian lived, was not certified, leaving residents vulnerable to relapse with little recourse for families seeking accountability.
Moving Forward: A Call for Stricter Oversight and Reform
For Mary Beth, her son’s death is a clear sign that the system must change. She continues to advocate for stricter oversight of sober homes, calling for consistent regulations and the certification of all sober living residences. If homes are to fulfill their promise of supporting recovery, they need to be held to higher standards—standards that prioritize the well-being of residents over profit. Certification programs, like those from NARR, provide a pathway toward safer, more reliable sober living environments.
The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc. is proud to work alongside the Connecticut Alliance of Recovery Residences (CTARR) in supporting recovery housing operators. As the largest network of NARR-Affiliate certified recovery homes in the United States, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, support, and effectiveness in sober living environments. To read more articles on substance abuse, visit our website. If you are searching for a CTARR-certified recovery home, look no further than Vanderburgh Sober Living!
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If you live outside of Connecticut, consult our Sober House Directory, a great tool to help you find homes across the country. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to open a sober house, we would encourage you to reach out to Vanderburgh Sober Living, the first organization offering sober living charters in the United States. If this interests you, Learn more about becoming a VSL Chartered Operator.