The Basics
Founded in 1964 by recovering alcoholic Bill Wallace, Talbot House is the oldest sober living home for men in Louisville, Kentucky. After Wallace died in 1985, Talbot House expanded to include Wallace House, which is across the street, and Hoard House, which is an independent living apartment complex for men who have graduated from the Talbot House program. Talbot House bases its program of recovery on the principles of AA. Talbot House’s present day president is CEO Tim Hyland, and the director is Mike Dever, who has been clean and sober for more than a decade.
Accommodations and Amenities
The original Talbot House is a brick townhome and accommodates 18 men while Wallace House, a red and white house, has a 14-bed capacity. Accommodations range between two and four men in a comfortably furnished room. There are no bunks at Talbot House. All clients sleep in comfortable twin beds. Furnishings include vintage leather armchairs, country-style dining room tables, old-fashioned white refrigerators, ample coffee pots and AA Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradition wall hangings. Residents are responsible for their own groceries, and meals are prepared in fully equipped kitchens.
Hoard House has four efficiency apartments, which accommodates four men who have successfully graduated Talbot House’s program. Residents have their own keys, and are not tied to Talbot House curfews or weekly 12-step meeting quotas. The 30-day cost is $380. The 30-day cost for Talbot and Wallace Houses is $308.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to arrival, clients must have completed detox, and must be willing to embrace AA principles in their recovery. Clients on medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including Suboxone, or those taking narcotics, are not allowed on the premises. A six to nine month length of stay is recommended. Requirements include attending daily 12-step meetings, acquiring both sponsor and a home group within two weeks of arrival, performing 15 minutes of daily household chores, and getting a job.
Residents are expected to work with their sponsors on a regular basis, complete their steps, and be regular participants at their home groups. The men are allowed to attend AA/CA/NA and/or Alanon meetings. The curfew is 11 pm seven days a week, unless the client works a second shift. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. At Talbot House, a zero tolerance policy is enforced, and residents who relapse are dismissed from the premises. Clients are expected to work and pay their rent on time, thus learning accountability.
Extras
Talbot House relies on donations, so that they can keep their costs low, and continue to be of service to clients. Additionally, they host a lot of events, including dinners and auctions, which draw in many prestigious members from the community.
In Summary
Talbot House is an charming, old school AA sober living home, and attracts a wide range of clients, who want to delve into their Big Books, become part of a fellowship and learn to be of service, just like founder Bill Wallace was back in 1964 when he first opened the doors, and allowed other recovering alcoholics and addicts to enter into his home. For men who want to live “life on life’s terms,” look no further.
Talbot House
520 West St. Catherine St
Louisville, KY 40203
Talbot House Cost: $308 (30 days). Reach Talbot House by phone at (502) 587-0669 or by email.
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