AzRHA Sober Living Code of Ethics

AzRHA is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in recovery housing.
This Code of Ethics exists to protect the welfare of the individuals we serve and to safeguard the credibility of recovery housing across Arizona.

It applies to all individuals involved in the ownership, operation, and support of AzRHA-certified residences, including owners, operators, staff, and volunteers.

Purpose of the Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics guides day-to-day decision-making and reinforces our fiduciary responsibility to residents, families, and the public.


It ensures ethical consistency across all AzRHA-certified recovery residences.

Ethical Principles

Autonomy

Respecting the right of individuals to:

  • Hold personal beliefs and values
  • Make informed choices
  • Act in alignment with recovery goals

Non-Maleficence

The obligation to do no harm, including:

  • Prohibiting fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation
  • Preventing abuse, harassment, intimidation, or misuse of authority

Beneficence

The responsibility to:

  • Act in the best interest of residents
  • Support recovery and well-being
  • Promote positive outcomes

Justice

A commitment to fairness and equity:

  • Treating equals equally and unequals according to need
  • Prioritizing resident welfare over personal or financial interests
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest

AzRHA Code of Ethics Standards

Resident Care & Safety

  • Assess each prospective resident’s strengths and needs to ensure appropriate placement
  • Provide referrals when a higher or different level of support is needed
  • Provide a safe, homelike environment consistent with NARR standards
  • Maintain an alcohol- and illicit-drug-free living environment
  • Protect resident health, safety, and overall welfare

Respect, Fairness & Rights

  • Honor each resident’s right to choose their recovery pathway within house parameters
  • Value diversity and uphold non-discrimination principles
  • Apply rules consistently and uniformly
  • Treat all residents fairly in all situations
  • Protect privacy, confidentiality, and personal rights

Recovery-Centered Practices

  • Encourage residents to maintain relationships with recovery professionals and support services
  • Ensure recovery needs remain the primary factor in all decision-making
  • Decline assuming primary recovery roles for relatives, close friends, or business associates

Boundaries, Conduct & Accountability

  • Maintain clear personal and professional boundaries
  • Operate strictly within scope of service and professional credentials
  • Take immediate action to stop:
    • Intimidation
    • Bullying
    • Sexual harassment
    • Threatening behavior
  • Prevent retaliation or negative consequences following grievances or complaints

Ethical Operations & Transparency

  • Promote residences using accurate, open, and honest marketing
  • Sustain transparency in operational and financial decisions
  • Provide fair and recovery-supportive drug-testing practices
  • Avoid conflicts of interest

Community & Neighborhood Responsibility

  • Maintain an environment that promotes peace and safety within the surrounding neighborhood
  • Encourage resident behavior that reflects respect for the broader community

The AzRHA Code of Ethics exists to ensure that every certified recovery residence operates with integrity, accountability, and respect.
 Adherence to this Code is not optional — it is foundational to AzRHA certification and to the trust placed in recovery housing by residents, families, and communities.