Alchemy House Review
Founded in 2015 in Los Angeles, California, by Daniel Goldman and Johnnie Mollin, both in recovery, Alchemy House provides highly structured sober living for men. Their focus is helping clients who struggle with staying clean and sober. Alchemy House believes that through a spiritual 12-step approach, transformation is possible for men struggling from chemical addiction.
Accommodations and Amenities
Formerly belonging to a celebrity, the modern-style house is nestled in the Hollywood Hills above Sunset Boulevard, and is in close proximity to the local landmarks Chateau Marmont and Laugh Factory. The multi-level residence includes balconies, which provide panoramic views of Los Angeles.
The house includes an enormous living room, an adjacent dining room and kitchen. The wood-tiled living room includes modern-style couches, and a flat screen TV hanging above a fireplace. Twelve clients are accommodated in shared rooms, which include one or two bunk beds, dressers and closet space.
At Alchemy House, the fully equipped kitchen is stocked with healthy food. Residents take turns, in groups of two and cook for the entire household. Typical entrees include grilled chicken breast, fresh veggies and brown rice. Freshly brewed coffee is on hand, since most of the residents are heavy coffee drinkers. The residence has onsite staff around the clock. Additionally, there is a house pooch that lives on the premises.
Rules and Regulations
Length of stay is typically six months. While Alchemy House accepts clients on medication-assisted treatment, including methadone and Suboxone, potential clients are sent to local physicians, who help them wean off the medication. Alchemy House is deeply rooted in the 12 steps. During the first 30 days, men receive individualized recovery plans. With the guidance of staff, they work on their steps. Cellphones are taken away, and given back to clients when they have completed their eighth step.
Alchemy House does not have a curfew since staff escorts clients to all outings, including AA/NA meetings. After clients have completed step nine, they are allowed to leave the house on their own. The length of time that step work takes varies per client. Other requirements include attendance at daily Big Book study, performance of household chores, maintenance of respectable behavior towards housemates and staff, and a willingness to work a 12-step protocol.
Other services include nutritional support, meditation groups, step study, life skills coaching and goal planning. Residents undergo random drug and alcohol testing. At Alchemy House, relapsed clients are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Besides Mollin, who is a Master’s-level therapist, and Goldman who is a graduate of the UCLA drug and counseling program, staff also includes a Master’s-level licensed social worker/clinical specialist.
Extras
House amenities include a gym and spa for the residents’ use. During beach outings, clients participate in surf therapy where clients are taught meditation techniques while floating on surfboards.
In Summary
While Alchemy House is a highly structured and intensely supervised facility, the men have a strong camaraderie. For those who are enthusiastic about delving into their Big Books, Alchemy House might be just what the doctor ordered.
Alchemy House Location
Alchemy House
1734 Crisler Way
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Alchemy House Cost
$5,500 (30 days). Reach Alchemy House by phone at (310) 403-1032, (310) 283-0876 or by email. Find Alchemy House at Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin
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Photo courtesy of PictorialEvidence (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
