Emilie House Review
Founded in 1991 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Emilie House is a group of gender-specific sober living homes. While Emilie House operates on a highly structured weekday protocol, they allow more flexibility on the weekends so that residents can acclimate back into normal living while they are in a safe setting.
Accommodations and Amenities
Emilie House operates four male-only houses and one female house. Accommodations vary in the men’s houses but the women’s Parkside home provides lodgings for 14 clients. Each house also has a resident manager, who oversees all operations. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, and comfortably furnished with twin beds, dressers and closet space. Framed artwork hangs from the walls, and curtain panels frame the windows. The male-only Whitewood House features spacious rooms with full-sized beds. Amenities include towels, bedding, Cable TV, Internet and food. The homes all have fully equipped modern-style kitchens.
From Mondays thru Thursdays, residents take turns preparing dinner for the entire household. Clients dine together, as Emile House believes that fellowship is an important part of recovery. From Fridays through Sundays, residents fix their own meals. This task teaches them basic life skills, including cooking and cleaning. During the weekends, clients are encouraged to participate in recreational activities or visit family and loved ones.
Rules and Regulations
At Emilie House, potential clients usually have undergone at least 30 days of primary care. Others, with less than 30 days, are admitted on a case-by-case basis. At Emilie House, clients are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The facility practices a zero tolerance policy and evicts those who test positive immediately. The length of stay is usually up to a year.
For the first 30 days, residents undergo a black out period. They are not allowed to leave the house except to attend 12-step meetings, go to outpatient treatment or work. All activity is monitored, and clients must return home immediately after completing treatment, finishing work or attending the meeting. After 30 days, residents with light schedules are expected to look for work, attend an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or go back to school. Additionally, no client can work a second or third shift. This concurs with the belief that working those scheduled times is a hindrance to the regular meeting attendance and rest needed in early recovery. The curfew is midnight from Sundays through Thursdays, and two am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Emilie House operates on a 12-step protocol. All clients must be active in AA/NA and get a sponsor. A minimum of four weekly 12-step meetings is required. Other rules include being at the Wednesday night house meeting, participating in household chores and attending a biweekly group therapy session with a licensed therapist from Livengrin Foundation, a local drug rehab. The session is included in the cost.
Extras
Emilie House participates in many recreational outings, including Ride for Recovery, a clean and sober motorcycle event, and whitewater rafting.
Emilie House is a member of the Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences (PARR), which sets high standards for sober living homes.
In Summary
Emilie House has been around for many years, and offers a proven protocol for helping their clients stay clean and sober. While the program is 12-step based, they also encourage residents to attend outpatient treatment in addition to the required bi-weekly group session. For those looking for an affordable East Coast sober living that offers many extras, Emilie House is the perfect spot.
Emilie House Location
Emilie House
5929 Bristol Emilie Rd
Levittown, PA 19057
Emilie House Cost
$700 (30 days). Reach Emilie House by phone at (215) 702-0308 or by email. Find Emilie House at Facebook and Twitter
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Photo courtesy of Smallbones (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
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