5A Transitional Living Centers Review
Founded in 1968, 5A is an organization that operates three transitional living homes in Phoenix, Arizona. Hope House was the first residence to open, followed by The Solution, which was launched in 1993, and finally in 2003, Craig Shell’s The New Solution opened its doors. Unlike Hope House, which is a male-only facility, The Solution and The New Solution are both co-ed homes. At 5A, a social recovery model is utilized and this non-profit sober living community is deeply rooted in the 12 steps, a program that they believe has the most proven success for long term sobriety.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Solution is a co-ed apartment complex with a 100-bed capacity. The women’s apartments are separate from the men’s. Residents are accommodated in dorm style rooms, which include bunk beds or twin beds, dressers, closet space and nightstands with lamps. Amenities include coin-operated washers and dryers, a large grassy field, patio, meeting hall and a volleyball court.
New Solutions lodges 46 men and women, and lodgings parallel those found at The Solution, except that the New Solutions does not have a volleyball court. Instead, New Solutions includes a swimming pool and an outdoor lounge area with a fireplace.
Hope House is a quaint family-style house with a recently renovated basement. Hope House is a male-only facility, and accommodates 32 men in rooms that include multiple beds and limited storage space.
Each residence has a dining hall, where three meals per day are served. The kitchens are restricted to personnel and to clients washing dishes or cleaning up the cooking areas. Located in the dining areas, refrigerators are provided, where clients store personal food items, which must be labeled. Food and snacks are available on the shelves, as well. Breakfast entrees include biscuits and gravy, eggs, hash browns and sausage or bacon. Lunch includes sandwiches, while dinners range from meatloaf, turkey shepherd pie, enchiladas and tacos. At 5A, the coffee supply is ever flowing. Other beverages include soda, milk and juice. Cable TV and Wi-Fi are not provided, but each residence features live-in staff.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to arrival, clients must have already completed detox and meet with staff for a personal interview, to determine whether 5A is a proper fit. All 5A houses require a 90-day minimum length of stay, so that residents can establish a foundation in their recovery.
The Solution and the New Solution implement a two-phase program. During the first 90-day phase, clients must attend daily 12-step meetings, use the sign-in and sign-out sheet, which is located in the dining room and attend all on-site recovery-oriented workshops, plus participate in the weekly house meeting. Additionally, clients must obtain a sponsor within a week of their arrival, and a home group within 14 days. At the end of the first phase, clients undergo a review, and if they meet all requirements, they are bumped up to the next phase.
During the first week, the curfew is 9 pm. After that time, the curfew is midnight Sundays through Thursdays, and two am on Fridays and Saturdays. During phase two, the curfew is the same. Clients attend six weekly 12-step meetings. Other requirements include finding a job or working, and attending outpatient treatment (if appropriate).
At Hope House, rules parallel those at the other facilities, except the phase system is excluded, and residents must be working. If unemployed, they must be out of the house, pounding the pavement and looking for work, between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm Mondays through Fridays. During the first week, the curfew at Hope House is 9 pm. After a week, the curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and one am on Fridays and Saturdays. Performance of daily chores is mandated, and residents must attend the house meeting.
At all 5A properties, random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Those who relapse are immediately evicted from the premises. The Solution 30-day cost is $504, while the 30-day cost for Hope House is $420. At the New Solution, clients pay $560 for a 30-day stay.
Extras
5A provides over 50 on-site 12-step meetings, and offers transportation to outside meetings.
In Summary
As a non-profit organization, 5A caters mainly to financially challenged and even homeless recovering alcoholics and addicts, who need a safe and structured sober living home. Former clients rave that 5A has saved their lives. Not only are meals provided, but also a great sense of fellowship abounds at 5A, and for those seeking a 12-step approach in their lives, 5A is the perfect fit.
5A Transitional Living Centers Locations
The Solution
4210 N. Longview Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Craig Shell’s The New Solution
4430 N. 23rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85015
The Hope House
316 N. 11th Way
Phoenix, AZ 85006
5A Transitional Living Centers Cost
$440-$560 (30 days, meals included). Reach 5A by phone at (602) 277-7527 (The Solution), (602) 266-7527 (New Solution) or (602) 254-5434 (Hope House) or by email. Find 5A on Facebook and YouTube
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