Sober living in Texas gives people in early recovery a stable, substance-free place to live while they return to work, rebuild relationships, and settle into a routine that supports their health. If you are leaving treatment yourself or helping someone you love take the next step, it helps to understand how these homes work before you start making calls.
Texas has recovery homes in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and dozens of smaller cities, and quality varies from one house to the next. The sections below cover what a sober house is under Texas law, what daily life looks like, how certification works, what residents pay, the state-supported options that can help with cost, and how to apply.
What Is a Sober Living Home in Texas?
A sober living home is a shared, alcohol-free and drug-free residence where people in recovery live together and support each other’s sobriety. Texas law describes a recovery house as a shared living environment that is centered on peer support, free from alcohol and drug use, and connects residents to the community and to services that support lasting recovery, under House Bill 299, which added Chapter 469 to the Health and Safety Code in 2023.
For residents, that means a sober house offers structure and peer support, not counseling or medical care. Texas does not require a state license to run a sober living home. Instead, accreditation is voluntary, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) may approve only NARR or Oxford House as accrediting organizations, and accredited homes may not provide personal care services. Programs that provide substance use treatment must hold a separate chemical dependency treatment license from HHSC.
Chapter 469 also matters when money is involved. Since September 1, 2025, a recovery house that is not accredited under the law cannot receive state funds. Most Texas sober houses share a few core features:
- Substance-free living: No alcohol or drug use, on or off the property, for as long as you live there.
- House rules: Written expectations for curfews, chores, guests, and conduct that every resident signs.
- Peer accountability: House meetings, drug and alcohol testing, and a house mentor who keeps the home running.
- Recovery participation: Regular attendance at mutual-support meetings, outpatient treatment, or other recovery work.
- Progress toward independence: Working, volunteering, or attending school while you stabilize.
What Daily Life Looks Like in a Texas Sober House
Days in a sober living home follow a steady rhythm. Residents hold a job or keep a daily schedule, share chores, attend a weekly house meeting, and take part in recovery activities outside the home. A house mentor, often someone with lived experience in recovery, checks in with residents and makes sure the sober house rules are applied fairly.
Keep readingHouse Rules in Sober HousesThe rules that keep a recovery home safe, structured, and worth living in.→Most homes test for drugs and alcohol on a regular and random basis, set a curfew that relaxes as residents earn trust, and ask for notice before overnight stays away. Texas distances are long, so ask how close a home is to work, bus lines, and meetings.
How Long Do Residents Stay?
Length of stay is personal, and most homes do not set a fixed end date. Many residents stay several months to a year, long enough to save money and settle into steady work. Ask each home how move-out works so the transition is planned rather than sudden.
NARR Levels: Which Kind of Sober Living Home Fits You?
Recovery homes are grouped into four levels of support by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). The levels describe how much structure and staffing a home provides, not how good it is. Settle on a level before you compare prices, because it changes both the cost and the daily routine.
| NARR level | Model | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Peer-run | Democratically run homes with no paid staff, such as the Oxford House model, relying on peer accountability |
| Level II | Monitored | The classic sober living home, with house rules, peer accountability, and a house mentor |
| Level III | Supervised | More structured programming and life-skills support, with trained or credentialed staff |
| Level IV | Service provider | Homes that combine recovery housing with clinical services on site, which require a state treatment license from HHSC in Texas |
Many people leaving residential treatment do well in a Level II home. If you need daily structure and more hands-on help, a Level III home may fit better. The NARR levels of care explain each model in more depth.
How to Choose a Certified Sober Living Home in Texas
Certification is the clearest outside signal of quality in a state that does not license sober living. In Texas, homes earn NARR certification through the Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network (TROHN), a founding state affiliate of NARR. TROHN reviews homes against NARR quality standards and a code of ethics. Oxford Houses follow their own charter system instead. Certification is voluntary, so an uncertified home is not automatically a poor one.
When you compare homes, look for these signs of a well-run sober house:
- Current certification: A certificate you can see, with a current date and the home’s correct address.
- Written rules and fees: House rules, rent, deposits, and refund terms in writing before you pay anything.
- A reachable house mentor: Someone you can talk to, plus a fair way to raise a complaint or grievance.
- A clear medication policy: Written rules on prescriptions, including medication for addiction treatment.
- Overdose readiness: Naloxone in the house and residents who know how to use it.
- A safe property: Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, clear exits, and clean shared spaces.
Be cautious with any home that will not put its terms in writing, asks for large cash payments with no receipt, or pressures you to commit on the spot. Texas law bars a recovery house from claiming accreditation it does not hold or advertising false information, and anyone can file a grievance with TROHN about a standards or ethics violation. A checklist for choosing a sober home covers the questions to ask on a tour.
Where to Find Sober Houses in Texas
Start with a directory that shows homes by location. You can browse sober houses in Texas on the Sober House Directory, which lists recovery homes in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, and other cities. TROHN also runs a recovery housing directory you can filter by city, county, gender, and focus, such as veterans or re-entry.
For state-supported homes, HHSC lists its recovery residence partners, including Oxford House and Be Well Texas, which serves young adults ages 18 to 25. You can also dial 2-1-1 or call (877) 541-7905 to reach 2-1-1 Texas for local housing and recovery resources.
Vanderburgh Sober Living operates two Chartered homes for men in Texas: Destiny Recovery Home in Taylor, northeast of Austin, and Ewing Sober House in Dallas. The guides to sober living in Taylor and sober living in Dallas cover local meetings, transit, and support.
If you need treatment first, the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 answers 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
How Much Does Sober Living Cost in Texas?
A bed in a typical Texas sober living home costs about $185 a week, or roughly $800 a month, according to VSL’s Rent and Startup Cost Index (Foote, 2026b). That figure is estimated from the state’s median rent rather than collected from individual homes.
Actual prices vary with location and room type. Homes in higher-rent metros and private rooms usually cost more, while shared rooms in smaller towns often cost less. As of October 2026, VSL’s two Texas homes list weekly rates of $180 in Taylor and $250 in Dallas.
Rent in a sober house usually covers your bed, utilities, household supplies, and the recovery structure of the home. Most homes ask for the first week or month up front, and some charge a deposit or move-in fee, so ask for a written breakdown before you commit.
Ways to Pay for Sober Living in Texas
Most residents pay rent from a job, savings, or help from family, and many homes expect residents to find work within the first few weeks. Texas also supports recovery housing that can lower or cover the cost for some residents:
- HHSC recovery residence partners: HHSC works with Oxford House, Be Well Texas, and UTHealth Houston to provide Level I, II, and III recovery homes across the state.
- Project HOMES: For people taking medication for opioid use disorder, Project HOMES at UTHealth Houston partners with NARR-certified homes and provides housing and food through the state’s Texas Targeted Opioid Response initiative.
- Accredited homes only: State money can go only to recovery houses accredited under Chapter 469, so if you hope to use state-funded help, confirm the home’s accreditation first.
- Scholarships and community funds: Churches, nonprofits, and local charities sometimes cover a first month or a deposit, and faith-based and community scholarships are worth asking about.
- Payment plans: Many homes will spread a move-in cost over several weeks if you ask before you arrive.
VSL’s Operating Climate Index scores Texas 8 out of 10 for resident funding access, meaning state-supported channels reach many residents, though not through a standing voucher open to everyone (Foote, 2026a).
A full rundown of how to pay for sober living covers grants and benefits that apply in every state.
How to Apply for Sober Living in Texas
Applying for a sober living home is usually quick once you know what you are looking for. Most people follow the same five steps:
- Decide on level and budget: Pick the NARR level that matches the support you need and a weekly rent you can sustain.
- Build a shortlist: Search directories, ask your treatment team for referrals, and confirm each home’s certification with TROHN.
- Call or tour: Ask about openings, rules, testing, medication policy, and total move-in cost.
- Apply: Complete the home’s application, which often includes a phone interview and your expected move-in date. If you hope to use a state-supported bed, ask about it now.
- Prepare to move in: Bring identification, medications in original containers, and the first payment the home requested.
If you would like to live in a Vanderburgh Sober Living home, you can apply online and get a call back within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sober Living in Texas
Are sober living homes licensed in Texas?
No. Texas does not license sober living homes. House Bill 299 created a voluntary accreditation program for recovery houses, administered through NARR or Oxford House, and accredited homes may not provide personal care services. Programs that deliver substance use treatment are licensed separately by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
How much does sober living cost in Texas?
Expect roughly $185 a week, or about $800 a month, for a bed in a typical Texas sober living home. That is an estimate modeled from state rent data, not a survey of homes. Homes in Austin, Dallas, and other higher-rent areas often cost more, so ask each home for its rate.
Is there state help paying for sober living in Texas?
Sometimes. HHSC partners with Oxford House, Be Well Texas, and UTHealth Houston to support recovery homes, including homes for adults ages 18 to 25 and for people taking medication for opioid use disorder. Since September 2025, only accredited recovery houses can receive state money, so ask whether a home is accredited.
How do I know if a Texas sober house is certified?
Ask the home for its current NARR certificate from TROHN, the Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network, and confirm the address matches the house you are touring. Texas law bars a recovery house from advertising that it is accredited unless it actually is, so a false claim is a serious warning sign.
Can I take medication for opioid use disorder in a Texas sober living home?
Yes, in many homes, but policies vary. Each Texas sober house sets its own medication rules, so ask for them in writing before you move in. Project HOMES, run by UTHealth Houston with state support, partners with NARR-certified homes that welcome residents taking medication as part of recovery.
Finding the Right Sober House in Texas
The right sober living home in Texas matches the support you need, fits a budget you can keep up with, and runs on clear, written rules. Checking certification with TROHN, touring before you commit, and asking about state-supported beds will narrow the field quickly.
Take the next step
Apply, browse homes, or search sober houses near you.
Apply onlineGet a call back within 24 hours.View VSL homesSee Chartered recovery homes and find the right fit.Search the national directoryRecovery homes anywhere in the US.Or call (844) 762-3747, weekdays 8a to 5p.
If you have questions about finding a home or applying, contact the Vanderburgh Sober Living team and we will help you sort through your options.
Research & Sources
- Foote, H. T. (2026a). Vanderburgh Sober Living Operating Climate Index, 2026 edition. Vanderburgh Sober Living. https://www.vanderburghhouse.com/research/operating-climate-index-2026/
- Foote, H. T. (2026b). Vanderburgh Sober Living Rent & Startup Cost Index, 2026 edition. Vanderburgh Sober Living. https://www.vanderburghhouse.com/research/rent-startup-cost-index-2026/
- National Alliance for Recovery Residences. (n.d.). Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network. https://narronline.org/affiliate/texas-recovery-oriented-housing-network/
- National Alliance for Recovery Residences. (2018). NARR standard 3.0. https://narronline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NARR-Standard-3.0.pdf
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). SAMHSA’s National Helpline. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission. (n.d.). 2-1-1 Texas. https://www.211texas.org/
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission. (n.d.). Adult substance use recovery residences. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/adult-substance-use/adult-substance-use-recovery-residences
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission. (n.d.). Chemical dependency treatment (CDTF) licensing. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/health-care-facilities-regulation/chemical-dependency-treatment-facilities
- Texas Legislature. (2023). H.B. No. 299: Relating to voluntary accreditation for recovery housing (enrolled). https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00299F.htm
- Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network. (n.d.). File a grievance. https://trohn.org/grievance/
- Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network. (n.d.). Find recovery housing. https://trohn.org/find/
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. (n.d.). Project HOMES. https://sph.uth.edu/research/centers/chppr/research/homes/
