The Basics
Founded in 2009 by Matthew Wood in Asheville, North Carolina, New Life Asheville is a sober living community for men and women. Wood, who has been clean and sober for ten years, felt that there was an unmet need for quality and cost-effective sober housing in the Asheville area. His own experiences of living in an unhealthy sober living home as a newcomer made him realize how important it was for those new to recovery to have safe and structured housing.
Accommodations and Amenities
New Life has 13 gender-specific sober livings, and a total 79-bed capacity. The cozy homes have unique exteriors, ranging from Cape Cod to bungalow style buildings. Additionally, New Life plans to open a new house in July 2016. The two female-only homes are a good distance from the men’s homes, and are supervised by a female director. Residents are paired in double occupancy rooms, and there are a few singles reserved for clients with seniority.
The houses are fully furnished, from can openers to washer and dryers. Clients are responsible for their own groceries, and meals are prepared in fully equipped kitchens. Cabinet space is assigned, and clients share the refrigerator. Additionally, they must bring bed linens, towels, personal hygiene, prescription medication (no narcotics), an ID, an alarm clock and money for food, as well as for other essentials. Laptops, recreational equipment, TV’s, cell phones, and cars that are legally registered are allowed, so that residents can feel at home, plus learn how to assimilate into society. Amenities include Wi-Fi, cable TV, a house computer, a landline with free long distance calls, utilities, laundry detergent and laundry rooms. Residential managers live on the premises.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to admission, clients must have completed detox. Those on Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including Suboxone are not allowed. Additionally, a 30-day minimum length of stay is required, but most clients stay between nine months and a year. New Life is deeply rooted in the steps, and asks that clients acquire a sponsor within two weeks of entry. Guided support is provided for those who need tips on finding the right sponsor.
While residents are urged to attend 90 meetings in 90 days, they must go to at least five weekly AA/NA meetings. Additionally, they must get a home group and a service commitment, which includes making coffee or chairing a meeting. Other requirements include obtaining a minimum of 30 weekly hours of employment, attending school or volunteering. Unemployed clients must be out of the house from 10 am to 3 pm Mondays through Fridays looking for work. Clients are not allowed to work in bars, or take on a third shift position.
Participation at the weekly house meeting, daily morning meditations, as well as performance of chores is mandatory. During the first 30 days, the curfew is 10:30 pm seven days a week. After that time, the curfew is midnight, followed by a 2 am curfew. At New Life, a random drug and alcohol policy is conducted, with a minimum of three alcohol and drug tests conducted on a weekly basis. Residents who relapse are immediately dismissed from the premises, but are admitted back on a case-by-case basis. Move in cost is $1,450, and includes a $700 30-day cost, as well as a $750 non-refundable entry fee.
Extras
Other services that are provided besides housing include group therapy by a CSAC and assistance setting up an aftercare protocol at a local outpatient facility. New Life is in close proximity from public transportation, and has easy access to many stores and 12-step meetings.
In Summary
While clients are expected to adhere to basic requirements, New Life does not take a cookie cutter approach with their clients. Besides offering a strong 12-step based program and a nurturing, family-style environment, clients have the option of seeing a licensed professional for counseling. New Life has an excellent reputation in the Asheville area, and many clients hail from other states, including Tennessee. For those seeking affordable, high quality sober living in Asheville, New Life is the perfect match.
New Life Sober Living Houses
PO Box 6566
Asheville, NC 28816
New Life Cost: $700 (30 days, not including a $750 nonrefundable entrance fee). Reach New Life by phone at (828) 702-4509 or by email at mattwood@newlifeasheville.com. Find New Life at Facebook
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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.
