Measure Up: A Guide to the NARR Standard and Code of Ethics

This is a NARR Standard 3.0 rule-by-rule guide for recovery residence administrators preparing for accreditation or reaccreditation. Based on NARR’s Standard 3.0 and Compendium, this resource offers recovery residences and NARR affiliates with a detailed review of each standard’s underlying rule(s), evaluation questions, the evidence used to confirm compliance and guidelines, as well as, links to related resources. Whereas the Compendium explains the philosophical and practice-based frameworks behind the Standard, this document provides a rule-by-rule analysis.

Standard and underlying rules

The NARR standard is evidenced by one or more objective rules. For each rule, this document provides:

• Identifier – Alphanumeric identifier and a short description

• Rule – The rule, as stated in NARR Standard

• Levels – Levels for which the rule is applicable, as stated in the NARR Standard

• Guidance – Help text including definitions, frequently asked questions or relevant scenarios used to help develop the rule’s evidence or inform the rule’s evaluation

• Evaluation – Closed-ended question(s) used to evaluate whether a rule is met

• Evidence – What evidence can be used to confirm the rule is met

• Resources – Related resources, when available.

Short titles

For formatting purposes, the principles, standards and rules maybe represented by short (two or three word) titles. Refer to the full text for clarity.

Disclaimers

1. This document is an educational resource, and should not be considered legal advice.

2. NARR developed a minimum set of standards, but it does not prescribe how recovery residences meet the standards. This promotes diversity across recovery residences in order to match the diverse and changing needs of persons seeking and sustaining recovery from substance use issues.

3. The origins of recovery residences can be traced back to the mid-1800s, and the standards reflect best practices collected from recovery residence providers from across the United States. NARR did not create any new recovery support service models.

4. Accreditation or certification does not guarantee the kind of experience a resident will have at an accredited or certified residence. Accreditation or certification indicates that at the time of the review the recovery residence met best practice standards, had committed to maintaining those standards and was in good standing with the Affiliate organization.

5. Accreditation or certification is voluntary, meaning recovery residences choose to meet best practice standards and welcome strength-based accountability.