Austin Turning Point Review
Abe Hernandez, who has been in recovery for over 11 years, founded Austin Turning Point in 2007. Located in Austin, Texas this group of sober living homes provides a safe haven for recovering male alcoholics and addicts. Hernandez, who serves as Austin Turning Point’s Executive Director, is highly active in the city’s recovery community. Additionally, he works closely with his clients in hopes that their sober living experience will be a positive turning point in their lives.
Accommodations and Amenities
Austin Turning Point operates three centrally located houses, including two for men who have over 30 days of sobriety, and one newcomer residence for clients who have under 30 days. Austin Turning Point has a 28-bed capacity in its three homes. Accommodations vary per residence, but typically clients are housed in fully furnished double-occupancy or triple-occupancy rooms, which include twin beds, or a twin and bunk bed, shared closet space, dressers and large windows providing ample sunlight. Each room has a flat screen Cable TV.
Clients are responsible for their own groceries, and prepare meals in fully equipped kitchens. After midnight, the kitchen, including the microwave oven, are off limits. Hungry clients are advised to eat cereal, fruit or a sandwich. Amenities include Cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry, detergent, paper products, coffee, job resume building tools and a house computer with printer. The houses each include a live-in resident manager.
Rules and Regulations
Austin Turning Point requires a 90-day minimum length of stay. Two houses require that clients have a minimum of 30-days of abstinence, while the Hartford B residence welcomes newcomers with less than 30 days, who have undergone detox. All clients must pass a drug test to be admitted.
Requirements include attending a minimum of four weekly 12-step meetings, finding a sponsor within 14 days and actively working the steps. Participation at the Sunday house meeting is mandatory. During that time, clients must show proof of AA/NA/CA meeting attendance.
During the first two weeks, all residents must be out of the house from 10 am to 2 pm Mondays through Fridays searching for work, volunteer opportunities or pursuing their academic education. By the end of this time frame, clients must have secured a weekly 20-hour minimum schedule comprised of work, school or community service. Those caught lurking in the houses during the first two weeks are subject to a seven-day 9 pm curfew and two hours of community service. Additionally, those who have not found a job or volunteer opportunity or enrolled in school must attend five weekly noon 12-step meetings, in addition to the other four required meetings.
During the first 30 days, the curfew is 10 pm seven days a week, except for the Hartford B house, which has a nine pm curfew time. After 30 days, the curfew is midnight seven days a week, for all clients in good standing. Clients must perform household chores, maintain respectful noise levels and be courteous to their housemates. Active alcoholics or addicts are not allowed on the premises.
At Austin Turning Point, clients who do not adhere to rules and regulations are subject to penalties. The first infringement guarantees two hours of community service, while the second violation insures that the client receives an action correction letter.
Other no-no’s include using the TV between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am from Sundays to Thursdays, eating meals in bedrooms or living rooms, smoking inside the houses, having visitors in undesignated areas, stealing (including food) from housemates, possessing weapons and surfing porn or other offensive web sites on the Internet. At Austin Turning Point, clients undergo random drug testing. Eviction is immediate for residents who test positive.
Extras
Clients have opportunities to participate in on-site step studies and a relapse prevention program. The relapse prevention program is comprised of weekly group therapy, which is conducted by a visiting Master’s-level social worker. Group topics include relapse prevention, life skills and goal setting.
In Summary
With Hernandez at the helm, Austin Turning Point enjoys a solid reputation in the Austin recovery community. While the requirements might seem intensive for some, those seeking an opportunity to learn self-discipline will find this to be good fit. With its on-site therapeutic services and an emphasis on the 12 steps, men who are serious about recovery will find a home at Austin Turning Point.
Austin Turning Point Location
Austin Turning Point
3300 Kim Ln
Austin, TX 78705
Austin Turning Point Cost
$700 (30 days, not including a $200 security deposit). Reach Austin Turning Point by phone at (512) 921-8182 or by email. Find Austin Turning Point at Google+
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