About CAARR

CAARR is a non-profit membership organization which serves as the principle voice for social model recovery programs throughout California.  Its members include:  recovery homes, sober living environments, neighborhood recovery centers and social   detoxification programs.  Services to members include advocacy for social model programs at the federal, state and local levels of government, as well as in the community.

The mission of the California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR) is to encourage the development, expansion, and continuing quality of alcohol and other drug programs in California through advocacy, education, training and positive role modeling.

Since CAARR's formation in 1972, they have provided quality training and technical assistance to programs and individuals through state and county contracts and have been involved in successfully staging two conferences a year for membership, with an emphasis on training.

CAARR is a membership organization which accomplishes its goals through dedication to facilitation of communication and cooperation among social model recovery programs. The Association offers a variety of assistance to recovery programs, social model detoxification centers, neighborhood recovery centers, sober living environments, and groups of individuals proposing to begin new programs. The assistance often takes the form of program and management consultation services, extensive education offerings, support, and advocacy. As a non-profit corporation in good standing,

CAARR is exempt from both state and federal taxes. Activities are supported through membership dues, educational materials and presentations, and contracts with various governmental entities for the provision of technical assistance and training services. The budget supports a small coordinating staff, but much of the Association's work is accomplished through the efforts of trained volunteers and volunteer committee members.

Technical Assistance is provided through a network of knowledgeable consultants.  Education and Training for social model managers, staff and volunteers is offered through the CAARR Institute at multiple sites throughout California.  Certification of individuals who work in social model programs may be accomplished through the Certified Alcohol & Other Drug Specialist (CAS) program.  National Certification (NCRS) is available exclusively in California to CAS members.  Information is disseminated through our newsletter “The Hearth”.  An Insurance program is designed specifically for recovery homes and is exclusive to members of CAARR offering superior coverage and service that is tailor-made to each organization.

Over thirty years ago California recovery homes grouped in regional affiliation at the time, began a tradition of practical learning and sharing of experience in social model alcoholic recovery. Joining together statewide, many of those same facilities are today members of CAARR. For more than three decades the Association has sought above all to preserve continuity of that tradition of integrity through the careful practice of established recovery principles. Such fundamentals as volunteerism and mutual self-help have been found essential to CAARR's proven success in addressing the real issues of recovery for the alcoholic and addict, the family and the community.