1. Pier-Run Recovery Housing (Level I)
Pier-run recovery housing is, more or less, exactly what it sounds like! These are democratically run housing maintained by other people during recovery and often focus on building community and fostering supportive relationships between residents. These services have no paid staff on site and therefore tend to be the least rigorous in their management.
It would be considered the most independent recovery housing option, as it allows residents to have a great deal of independence while living in a supportive, calm environment during their recovery journey. Peer-driven recovery housing options, however, still typically require residents to remain sober as well as participate in other community activities such as home care outlines and other democratic decisions for families.
2. Monitored Sober Living (Level II)
Supervised sober living services typically involve at least one paid staff member to oversee housing procedures and policies. Although they are still fairly independent and include activities such as community-based services and group therapy, they have stricter rules for residents. Additionally, although they often provide skills training or in-house support, there is usually no need to access outside recovery help, only what is available within the home.
3. Supervised Housing (Level III)
Supervised recovery housing options share many of the same characteristics as supervised sober residences, however, they tend to have a bit more organizational structure and support, along with a more direct approach to life-skills development and treatment options. Furthermore, these programs may integrate outside recovery supports as a requirement to access their services, so residents may need to attend additional therapy or similar programs.
4. Residential Medical Accommodation (Level IV)
Residential treatment facilities are the most limited of recovery options and are often the primary option for recoveries who need chemical assistance in their withdrawal process. This housing service is also the most clinical in its services and facilities, usually with a large staff and complex organizational hierarchy. Residential treatment centers are also often the most traditionally “institutional” of all recovery housing options, which can be better or worse depending on one's needs and preferences.
Each of these services may be relevant to different individuals at different stages in their recovery journey and may change over time. Don't forget that recovery is not a one-way street and there is nothing wrong with it. That said, here's one Helpful charts from NARR To explain which individual's journey to recovery each of these options may best suit their needs.