Generating systemic change along the addiction recovery continuum
Substance use disorders are chronic conditions requiring intensive interventions and long-term care, but most treatments are time-limited and do not address structural barriers to recovery. One barrier is limited access to safe and stable housing. Recovery housing (e.g., recovery homes, sober living homes, and Oxford Houses ™) addresses this critical need by providing supportive living environments for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Numerous research studies have documented that recovery housing facilitates positive outcomes for residents through substance use recovery, decreased criminal justice involvement, and higher employment. However, housing costs in recovery residences are not presently covered by private or public health insurance, which presents barriers to individuals who need recovery housing. Lack of insurance coverage may also threaten the quality and sustainability of recovery housing at the provider level.
In partnership with the CLEAN Cause Foundation, researchers at The Addiction Research Institute will establish a consortium of experts across The University of Texas System to develop innovative business models that facilitate recovery housing sustainability and address the financial gap created by insurance coverage ineligibility. The generation of this empirical research will also inform new policy initiatives that advocate for recovery housing organizations’ insurance coverage eligibility.

Addiction Research Institute Team Members

Dr. Fiona Conway

Dr. Kasey Claborn

Tyler Barnes

Nataly Sauceda

Latawnya Peachy
CLEAN Cause Foundation Team Members

Julie McElrath

Leah Davies

Justin York
UT Interdisciplinary Collaboration Group

Anton L.V. Avanceña, Ph.D
Health Economist
UT Austin College of Pharmacy

Stephen Courter, MBA
Business Management
UT Austin McCombs School of Business

Sherri Greenberg, MS
State and Local Government Engagement
UT Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

Kristie J. Loescher, MPH, DBA
Healthcare Management
UT Austin McCombs School of Business

Sheryl McCurdy, Ph.D
Health Promotion
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
RHS Advisory Council Members

Dr. Jessica Cance
Recovery Researcher

Sierra Castedo de Martell
Public Health Expert

Lilly Ettinger
UT Austin Center for Students in Recovery

Dr. Lori Holleran Steiker
Recovery Researcher

Tracy Levins
Research and Training/ TA Expert

Nick Long
Sharpen Recovery/ TROHN BOD

Jackson Longan
Oxford House, Inc.

Judge Leigh Mathews Rodriguez
Justice & Legal System Expert

Russ Norwood
Business Expert

Jason Pullin
TROHN Executive Director

Lisa Ramirez
HHSC Policy & SUD Expert

Dr. Jerry Roberson
Nonprofit & Public Health Expert

Dave Sheridan
Recovery Housing Expert, NARR

Lynn Sherman
Nonprofit, Community and Business Expert

Scott Strehli
Nonprofit & business expert, CCF BOD

Dr. Corrie Vilsaint
Recovery Researcher and National Expert

De Wysocki
Lived Experience Expert