About this Sober House
Christian and Brian's House is a men's sober living home on Mill Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. It is operated by the Michael J Dias Foundation and holds certification through the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing.
A Men's Sober House in Forest Park
The house sits in Springfield's Forest Park neighborhood, the same neighborhood where Christian Diaz and Brian Metzger, the two friends the house is named for, both lived before their deaths from addiction-related causes. The Foundation dedicated the residence to their memory in 2020, its third sober-living acquisition. Men 18 and older make up the household.
What MASH Certification Establishes
Certification through the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing, the state's affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, commits the house to a published code of ethics, written disclosure of fees and rules before move-in, a written relapse and discharge policy, and an external complaint process. MASH certifies under NARR Level II, describing peer-managed housing with a monitored structure. For a family evaluating a sober house from out of state, that record is a real signal to check.
A 12-Step Foundation With Structured Admission
The house embraces the 12 steps of recovery, and residents work with peer mentors through a structured daily schedule. Every applicant undergoes a comprehensive 13-panel drug test at check-in, which sets the baseline the rest of the program builds on.
Recovery Housing in Springfield and Hampden County
Springfield is the seat of Hampden County and the commercial hub of Western Massachusetts, giving Forest Park residents access to outpatient providers, courts, and job opportunities without leaving the city. Someone completing treatment in a smaller Pioneer Valley town often finds Springfield holds the density of services the transition requires.
One of Three Michael J Dias Foundation Homes
Christian and Brian's House is the newest of three sober living residences the Michael J Dias Foundation operates in the Springfield and Ludlow area. Michael's House, the Foundation's original 2014 house, is also in Springfield, and Sean's Place in Ludlow serves as a transitional step for men who have completed either certified house.
Sober living homes are group residences for people who are recovering from addiction. In most instances, people who live in sober homes have to follow certain house rules and contribute to the home by doing chores. Most importantly, residents must stay sober throughout their stay in the home.
"Through their compassion and charisma, Christian Diaz and Brian Metzger touched scores of people on deep, personal levels. They would have never been forgotten by those who knew and loved them, but it's fitting to honor their memories by doing something to help others.
Growing up as central figures within a group of friends that covered a wide spectrum of society, Brian and Christian touched scores of people on intimate levels. Gifted athletes with great senses of humor, Christian and Brian demonstrated extraordinary abilities to connect with virtually every person who came within their spheres. While their losses were devastating enough individually, together, their stories provide yet another illustration of how this epidemic devastates every segment of society."
