Although completing treatment is a huge step for any recovering alcoholic or addict, the transition back to real life is just as important. Depending on the program, residential care can provide clients with a lot of structure and supervision to ensure they don’t make mistakes and that they stick to their principles. When left to their own devices, however, newly sober individuals can often find ways to sabotage their recovery. For these reasons (and others), it may be helpful to consider sober living. Fortunately, Westwind Recovery Residences, based out of Los Angeles, California, has a huge network of upscale sober housing options with the client’s best interests at heart.
Justin Wells, Justin White and Zachary Ament, three sober friends who made a reality out of their dream to create safe environments for addicts in early recovery, founded Westwind Recovery. Although their organization started out of a modest house in Hancock Park, it has since spread throughout the city with 14 homes for all types of clients. In addition to its female-specific housing, Westwind Recovery Residences’ Laurel Canyon and Normandie homes are designated exclusively for men.
“We’re very focused on making sure clients are taken care of and get what they need,” says Scotty Sanders, the organization’s Director of Operations. “We treat them as individuals and as people here to get a service.” To that end, the Lauren Canyon and Normandie houses provide structured living with a relaxed vibe, complete with younger house managers to oversee day-to-day life. Though each house has its own distinctive flavor, they all feature luxury amenities including queen and full-size beds, high-speed WiFi, modern kitchens, comfortable outdoor spaces and overall villa-style accommodations.
Despite the comfort and flexibility that their facilities offer, Wells says that Westwind Recovery Residences is also concerned with making sure the men at Laurel Canyon and Normandie stay on track in recovery. “People were having a hard time transitioning from full-on treatment to sober living,” he says. “Westwind is more on the structured side.” In that regard, all residents can expect to stay relatively busy. “We require that [clients are]doing something,” Wells says. “IOP, looking for work, working or going to school. We don’t force them to do 12-step but we strongly encourage it.”
Another key part of Westwind’s approach is ensuring that their residents also have an active social life and a good time throughout the program. To that end, the curriculum supports plenty of sober fun as well. “We have some big parties, a big Christmas party, a big Halloween party,” Wells says. Clients are also free to visit Westwind’s other houses as well—there’s also a big summer pool party to consider attending.
Through it all, Wells, White, Arment and Sanders say they couldn’t have anticipated the positive response they’ve received over time. “The vision was to have a sober living to help some people,” Sanders says. “It was not originally something that’s blown up to be as amazing as it has.” Still, Westwind Recovery Residences’ success is due in large part to the male residents who come seeking gender-specific recovery. For their part, the staff at Westwind intends on holding up their side of the bargain. “It’s up to us to make sure their needs are met to the best of our ability.”
Do you want to learn more about Westwind Recovery Residences? Reach Westwind Recovery Residences by phone at (800) 223-5750 or by email. Find Westwind Recovery Residences on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram
Photo provided by Westwind Recovery Residences; used with permission.
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