Rutgers Recovery Housing began in 1988 as the first sober housing option for college students. The program offers students year-round, on-campus housing in a facility shared by other students in recovery in an environment that can be "abstinence-hostile". To be eligible for recovery housing, students need to have been in recovery for at least 90 days and are required to go to regular mutual aid fellowships (e.g. 12-Step meetings) on campus.

Rutgers Recovery Housing offers more than just sober housing. Other features of the program include:

• Access to a recovery counselor, who provides academic and career support in addition to recovery support
• Easy access to other necessary health, medical, and counseling services
• Staff include two live-in Resident Assistants (RAs) who have resided in the Recovery House as residents for at least a year prior to becoming RAs
• Organized sober activities
• A social network of like-minded students who support and hold each other accountable

This model has been replicated across the nation. More information on the program can be found in these news articles here and here as well as this report on substance-free residence halls.