Choices Recovery House Review
Located in York, Pennsylvania, Choices Recovery House provides safe and structured sober living for men and women in recovery. Although sober living houses in Pennsylvania aren’t regulated by the state unless they provide residential treatment, Kathy Sorandes, director of Choices Recovery House runs her organization in a controlled and highly disciplined manner, insuring the safety of the residents.
Accommodations and Amenities
Choices Recovery House consists of three charming gender-specific brick Victorian-style houses. One house accommodates men and there are two for women. The male-only house has seven men, while the female-only residences hold a total of 22 women, nine in one house, and 13 in the other. Rooms are typically shared between two clients, but several hold up to three individuals.
The houses are tastefully decorated, with eclectic furnishings. A typical female bedroom consists of twin beds, a wooden dresser, a throw rug and an old fashioned radiator. Windows surround the rooms and provide ample sunlight. The snug living rooms include couches, a TV, plants and hanging displays of AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions mounted on the walls. The houses are close to recovery meetings in York, public transportation and businesses that offer potential employment for residents. Since there are not enough parking spaces, residents can’t bring their vehicles.
Choices Recovery House has a food system, where residents pay $20 weekly for groceries. A basic list is set out during Sunday house meetings, where residents check off necessities such as bread, coffee, cereal, lunch meat and coffee. Two residents from each house purchase groceries with the combined funds. Residents take turns cooking from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays and Sundays, residents usually make quick meals from items around the house, or purchase frozen pizzas. This food system encourages the development of basic living skills such as menu planning and grocery shopping.
Rules and Regulations
During the first 30 days of residence, the curfew at each Choices Recovery House is at 10 pm. They also undergo a blackout period where they can’t see members of the opposite sex. Additional requirements during this period include job hunting between 9 am and 3 pm Mondays through Fridays, or volunteering at a worthwhile organization (such as an animal shelter). Clients must also sign in and out when arriving or leaving the premises.
They must attend 90 12-step meetings in 90 days, find a home group plus a sponsor and get meeting cards signed as proof of attendance. After the 90 day period elapses, residents must attend a minimum of five weekly meetings. After the 30-day probationary period, the resident and house manager discuss the resident’s status. If approved, the resident receives a house key.
Residents undergo random drug and alcohol testing, as well as room searches. A client found with drugs or alcohol or under the influence is subject to immediate eviction. They must go to detox, a shelter or hospital. They aren’t allowed to return to Choices Recovery House for a minimum of five days. The 30-day cost is $480, not including an $80 monthly fee towards food. Move-in cost is $590, and includes an intake fee of $200, a $100 security deposit and the remainder covers two weeks’ rent and food.
Extras
New residents within 75 miles of the house are picked up for an additional transportation fee of $175.
In Summary
Those who are on the fence about recovery need not apply. Choices Recovery House runs a tight ship for men and women who are serious about staying sober, providing a very structured sober living environment. Although the program is no-nonsense, the house are comfortable and the requirement to collaborate on meal planning offers residents an opportunity to bond and support each other.
Choices Recovery House Location
Choices Recovery House
703 Pennsylvania Avenue
York, PA 17404
Choices Recovery House Cost
$560 (30 days, includes food). Reach Choices Recovery House by phone at (717) 854-5445, (717) 577-0244 (Kathy Sorandes) or by email at choicesrecovery@gmail.com.
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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.
