Alano House Review
Founded in 1997 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Alano House provides gender-specific sober living homes for men and women in recovery. Besides housing, other services provided at Alano House include outpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment, and educational classes for criminal justice and DUI clients. Based on a 12-step protocol, their mission is to provide “experience, strength and hope” to recovering alcoholics and addicts.
Accommodations and Amenities
Alano House provides two male-only houses including Pine House and Wahsatch House, each accommodating 16 men. The female-only Platte House lodges 17 women. Platte House is a white craftsman with gray trim. There is a woodsy ambience as evident with the profuse amount of trees that shroud the property, and a grassy, private backyard. Amenities include Cable TV and utilities. Due to computer hacking, Wi-Fi is no longer available at Alano House.
Upon arrival, clients are housed in a double or triple-occupancy intake room. After a period, which depends on their individual progress, they are bumped up to a room, which is shared with another resident. Clients are responsible for their own groceries and meals, which are prepared in fully equipped kitchens. There are house managers on the premises.
Rules and Regulations
Potential clients undergo an interview process to ensure that Alano House is a good fit. Detox must have been completed prior to admission. Additionally, random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted to ensure a safe and sober environment. Since Alano House has a zero tolerance policy, relapsed clients are required to leave the premises, but detox referrals are provided. At Alano House, a family-style environment is encouraged and clients can stay as long as they want, provided that they are in good standing. Residents participate in many activities together. Designated areas are provided for visitations from sponsors and families.
Clients must attend 90 meetings within 90 days, and obtain a job within 10 days, if they are unemployed. During the first week, the curfew is 8 pm. After that time, the curfew is 10:30 pm Sundays to Thursdays, and 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. After the first 30 days, clients are eligible for one overnight pass. This decision must be approved by the house manager, and is only granted to clients who are caught up in their rent.
At Alano House, there is one weekly AA meeting and a mandatory house meeting. Other requirements include the performance of an assigned household chore. Clients are expected to keep their rooms tidy, as well as maintain the cleanliness of the house.
Besides housing, Alano House provides outpatient services, at an additional cost. The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) utilizes the Matrix Model and a 12-step approach. Clients participate in group and individual therapy. The program is divided into four phases and includes early recovery skills, relapse prevention, family education and social support. While costs vary, Colorado Medicaid is accepted at Alano Recovery program.
Extras
Sober fun activities include a comedy night, paint the town, whitewater rafting, camping and the AA Colorado State Convention. Additional services include life skills classes, peer coaching, vocational guidance, case management and DUI education.
At Alano House, a Seeking Safety group is provided to help individuals who suffer from PTSD, including military clients. Other dual diagnosis support groups cover topics that include anger management, self-esteem, depression management, emotion control and grief.
Pastoral support groups include Came to Believe, a spiritual group based on the little red AA book, Introduction to the 12-steps, and Spiritual Pathways, a group that helps clients connect with a Higher Power.
In Summary
At Alano House, there is a lot going on—all designed to help clients maintain their recovery, while working on their steps and building healthy relationships. For those who really want to immerse themselves in the 12-steps, Alano House sounds like a wonderful reprieve.
Alano House Location
Alano House
1020 Jefferson Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Alamo House Cost
$425 (30 days). Reach Alano House by phone at (719) 520-1732, (866) 520-1732 or by email at info@alanohouse.org. Find Alano House at Facebook and Google+
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Photo courtesy of David Shankbone (David Shankbone) [GFDL (https://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
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