Austin Sober Living Review
Founded in April 2011 by recovering alcoholic Wes Phillips, Austin Sober Living in Austin, Texas offers men in recovery safe and structured sober living. Phillips, who has 26 years of sobriety, also believes mental health treatment is important since addiction and co-occurring disorders often go hand in hand. As part of the cost, clients attend individual therapy on a bi-weekly basis with Loretta Macias, a Master’s-level LCDC.
Accommodations and Amenities
The spacious ranch-style house includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The property accommodates no more than seven men, including Phillips, who acts as spiritual mentor and house manager. Clients share fully furnished double occupancy rooms with the belief that having a roommate teaches socialization skills.
The home features a cozy living room with a wood burning fireplace, a white walled dining area with high ceilings, tiled floors and large windows, and a fully equipped kitchen. Residents are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation. Amenities include Wi-Fi, digital Cable with DVR and a wrap around fenced yard. The house is in close proximity to Macias’ office, and in walking distance of grocery stores, the metro bus stop, neighborhood restaurants and a plethora of churches, all of various denominations. Clients also receive spiritual counseling from a chaplain, if appropriate.
Rules and Regulations
At Austin Sober Living, clients are expected to maintain high standards of accountability. Prior to admittance, criminal background checks are administered. Clients who have attended a minimum of 30 days at residential treatment are preferred. While the recommended minimum time commitment at Austin Sober Living is between three and six months, clients can stay as long as they want and many stay beyond a year.
During the first 30 days, residents must find employment. There is also a 10 pm curfew seven nights a week. After that time, the curfew is extended to 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and to one am on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekly requirements include attending daily 12-step meetings, obtaining and actively working with a sponsor, working the steps and participating in bi-weekly therapy with Macias. Residents must have attendance slips signed by a meeting’s secretary.
Household chores are assigned and must be completed on a timely basis. The tasks are designed to make clients feel part of the household, as well as to help them learn responsibility. The men are also responsible for setting up their outpatient sessions with Macias, who is also in recovery. She works closely with the clients using evidence-based modalities, including EMDR for trauma. She also works on helping clients deal with anger management and family issues.
While Austin Sober Living typically practices a zero tolerance policy on residents testing positive on drug and alcohol screenings, there there have been two exceptions in the past four years. When the residents relapsed, both at different times, Phillips intervened and called their sponsors who worked closely with the men. The result in both cases was that the men got back on track in their recovery, and stayed clean and sober.
Extras
The city of Austin is gaining a reputation as a recovery community and is home to many 12-step gatherings. Phillips is supportive of his clients attending meetings and extends the curfew, accordingly, as long as he is notified of their whereabouts.
In Summary
Phillips runs a tight ship, but he is the real deal and cares deeply about the welfare of his clients. For men who are seeking affordable 12-step living with a no-nonsense approach, Austin Sober Living is a great fit. Austin Sober Living is located in the lovely Westover Hills neighborhood of Austin, but does not like to disclose their address, for the safety and privacy of their clients.
Austin Sober Living Location
Austin Sober Living does not like to disclose their address, for the safety and privacy of their clients.
Austin, Texas 78759
Austin Sober Living Cost
$895 (30 days). Reach Austin Sober Living by phone at (512) 423-5776.
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Photo courtesy of BestNewHomesAustin
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.