The Basics
Founded in 2012 in the pretty south Florida town of Cape Coral, by Kari-Anne Spiller who has five years of sobriety, The Surrender House offers family-style sober living to women in recovery. Their mission is showing clients that its possible to have a great life by staying clean and sober, and working the 12 step. Besides Cape Coral, The Surrender House presently operates a house in Fort Myers.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Cape Coral house accommodates ten clients while Fort Myers has a seven-bed capacity. The numbers are kept small, to keep a closeknit setting. Clients are paired in furnished rooms, which include twin beds, shared closet space, dressers, two nightstands and matching lamps. While laundry facilities are provided, there is a designated day when clients wash and dry their clothes. Additionally, chores are assigned on a rotating basis.
At The Surrender House, clients are responsible for their own groceries, but often the women cook meals together. Sunday nights include a house meeting and family-style meal, which is prepared by the residents. Food is prepared in fully equipped kitchens.
Rules and Regulations
Potential clients undergo an interview process to ensure that The Surrender House is a good fit. Clients must have completed detox prior to admission. There is no minimum length of stay requirement, and women can stay as long as they want, provided that they abide by the rules. At The Surrender House, the clients engage in many activities together, including going to 12-step meetings, cooking and doing chores. This intimate atmosphere is encouraged so that clients can work on building a strong peer network.
For the first 90 days, clients must attend 90 AA/NA meetings. After that time, they must go to a minimum of four weekly 12-step meetings. Other requirements include finding a sponsor, gaining full-time employment, attending house meetings and performing daily household chores. Residents must obtain a sponsor within one week of admittance. Those who can’t find a full-time job or who are on SSI must commit between 20 and 25 hours of community service. For the first 30 days, the curfew is 10 pm seven days a week. After that time, the curfew is 11 pm seven days a week.
Clients are subject to random drug and alcohol screenings. At The Surrender House, there is a zero tolerance policy for clients who refuse to be tested. Clients that comply to testing, and that test positive are referred back to a drug rehab or detox center. At The Surrender House, men are not allowed on the premises. On a whole, intimate relationships are frowned upon, with the belief that newly clean and sober clients should focus on their recovery.
Extras
Cape Coral and Fort Myers are in close proximity to beaches and many tourist attractions.
In Summary
The Surrender House runs a tight ship but believes strongly in a nurturing atmosphere, which can be very healing for newly clean and sober individuals. For clients who prefer to be independent, this may not be a good fit. However, for women who are serious about AA/NA and want to be part of a sisterhood, The Surrender House is a great option for sober living.
The Surrender House
1639 SE 9th Terrace
Cape Coral, FL 33990
The Surrender House Cost: $500-$540 (30 days). Reach The Surrender House by phone at (239) 333-8079 or by email. Find The Surrender House on Facebook
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