Nextep Review
The Nextep provides supportive sober living for men and women who are ready for the next step in their recovery. Located in the Lee County area of southwest Florida, Nextep has eight gender-specific houses tucked away in quiet, residential neighborhoods in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Nextep fosters both independence and the idea of structure using the 12 steps and responsibility—residents can expect curfews, drug tests and strict enforcement of house rules and regulations.
Accommodations and Amenities
There are three houses for women, all located in Fort Myers. The Winkler Road house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and accommodates eight women. Just a few miles away on McGregor Drive is a six-bedroom, four-bath home with two women to a room. The third women’s facility has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, housing six.
Fort Myers has three homes for men—all with three bedrooms and two baths—hosting two men per room. There are two homes in Cape Coral, each with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, housing up to 12 men each.
All Nextep houses have a living room with a TV and kitchens, communal dining area and laundry facilities. House phones are provided for local and long distance calls and Wi-Fi is available throughout the houses. Laundry soap, kitchen supplies and paper products are provided. Residents are responsible for buying and preparing their own food. All rooms are furnished with twin beds, individual nightstands and shared dressers. All homes have air conditioning, comfortable living room furniture and ample backyard space with patio furniture.
Rules and Regulations
Nextep supports recovery using their “Four Stage Self-Empowerment Process.” Stage one establishes structure, stage two focuses on maintaining commitments, stage three requires application and motivation, and stage four encourages service. Clients must agree to the requirements in order to progress to the next level.
Curfew is at 11 pm Sunday through Monday and 1:30 am on Friday and Saturday. Clients must be dressed and out of their rooms by 9 am. All clients are assigned house chores that must be completed each week. Residents may use the house phone up until 11 pm and calls are limited to 15 minutes.
There is a zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse, racial, religious or sexual slurs, fighting and verbal abuse. All residents are drug-tested by the house manager twice a week. Photos or videotaping of other clients is strictly prohibited. Smoking is permitted outside in designated areas only and residents are required to attend AA/NA meetings on a daily basis and mandatory house meetings are held weekly. By week two, clients are expected to have a sponsor and, by the end of 30 days, they must have a home group and either be working or enrolled in school.
Medications with doctor’s prescriptions are permitted with the understanding that each client is responsible for following the prescribed dosage and maintaining their own health. Staff are either LCSWs or CSACs.
Extras
With multiple locations in both Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, Nextep clients enjoy all that these beach cities have to offer—surf, sand and sea are nearby. Residents of all eight homes can cultivate their recovery in sunny environs with access to outdoor activities.
In Summary
The Nextep provides a safe sober living environment for individuals needing support in early sobriety. While residents have a fair amount of freedom, there are enough rules and guidelines to keep the focus on recovery.
Nextep Location
6556 Winkler Rd
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Nextep Cost
$800 (30 days). Reach Nextep by phone at (239) 292-4907 or by email at info@nextep.org. Find Nextep on Facebook
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