The Basics
The Cottages is a group of women’s sober living houses located in sunny Huntington Beach, California. As the women’s branch of Orange County Sober Living, which also runs Five Points for men, The Cottages has offered safe, alcohol and drug-free environment for women over the age of 18 since 2002.
Accommodations and Amenities
The women live in a comfortable, family-style home with shared bedrooms split between two to three clients. The rooms feature twin or full sized beds, with large wooden dressers, purple walls and white curtains. The downstairs area of the house includes a common area with couches and a television, a kitchen and dining room. The backyard area provides ample space for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Smoking is permitted outdoors only. Group prepared meals are made for the residents and include items such as pasta, grilled vegetables, chicken and rice and fresh fruit.
Rules and Regulations
In order to be enrolled in The Cottage’s sober living residences, clients are required to meet certain criteria. Clients are required to work the 12 steps with a sponsor and attend at least three AA/NA meetings per week, in addition to all house meetings. During the day, clients must obtain employment or attend school. Absolutely no pets are allowed on the premises. Random drug and alcohol tests are used to ensure sobriety. A list of additional rules are listed here.
A life skills training program is offered Mondays through Fridays for six hours a day. This consists of house meetings with chore assignments, as well as participating in a job, volunteer program or school. By leaving the house everyday, clients learn to adhere to a schedule as they rejoin society.
The required Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) consists of both individual and group counseling and educational services regarding substance abuse. Clients can choose part-time or full-time treatment, dependent on their outside employment schedule. Family group sessions are available for families to fully understand what their loved one is dealing with and how to cope with the situation. Relapse prevention is offered in order to give clients the skills necessary to identify triggers and stressors that can lead to using or drinking.
Extras
Aftercare with group counseling enables those who have completed the program to maintain their sobriety.
A large variety of outdoor local events such as surfing, volleyball, disc golf, beaches and horseback riding are available to the clients. Other activities connected to sobriety such as Celebrate Recovery events, AA/NA conventions and dances are also included in the schedule. Transportation is provided for outside 12-step meetings. There are no on-site meetings.
In Summary
The Cottages is a solid program for women in recovery to transition smoothly and slowly back into life. During their time here, the women will learn how to keep a stable job or participate in school. While this may not be a great choice for those who are opposed to the 12-step philosophy, the strict adherence to the 12-step lifestyle is designed to show the women how to build a healthy foundation in sobriety.
The Cottages
18342 Patterson Lane Apt 1
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
The Cottages Cost: Undisclosed. Reach The Cottages by phone at (714) 418-6053 or by email at amber@HBcottage.com. Find Orange County Sober Living on Facebook and Google+
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Photo courtesy of TheCottages
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.
