Sober living houses: potential roles in substance abuse services and suggestions for research.

'Sober living houses' are alcohol- and drug-free residences for individuals attempting to establish or maintain sobriety. They offer no formal treatment services but do provide social support and an abstinent living environment. 'Sober living houses' have been used as aftercare placements for clients completing residential treatment, places for clients to live while attending outpatient treatment, or as stand-alone approaches for substance misuse problems. This article identifies areas of research needing attention and suggests that 'sober living houses' have the potential to play a stronger role in the continuum of substance misuse services.