The Basics
Founded by Nancy Swanson in May 2015, Tribe Transitional Living is a co-ed sober living house in Camarillo, California. Swanson, a licensed marriage and family therapist opted for a co-ed environment because she felt that the real world does not provide gender-specific living. Despite that, Swanson runs a tight ship, and the house maintains a family-style atmosphere.
Accommodations and Amenities
The 6,300 square foot castle sits on two acres, and includes an outdoor courtyard with a fireplace, a library, family room with a dining area and gender-specific wings. No more than 12 clients share six luxurious rooms with full-sized beds, plush comforters, decorative lamps, nightstands and huge windows. One of the men’s rooms has glass doors leading out to the patio. Each room has an attached bathroom. Amenities include Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, computer tech station, a well-stocked library, pool table, meditation garden, sweat lodge, gym memberships, transportation to meetings and hypnotherapy. Xanax, a Belgian Malinois dope dog, is trained in narcotic detection, and helps keep the household drug-free. A residential house manager also lives on the premises.
Fresh home cooked food is included, and special needs diets, including vegetarian, gluten-free and heart healthy are accommodated. Additionally, there are dinner nights where the cuisine celebrates a resident’s heritage. For example, the house had Middle Eastern fare, as one resident has a Persian background. Other recent themed-dinners included an Italian night and soul food evening. At Tribe Transitional Living, favorite daily entrees include sloppy Joes and garlic potatoes. Freshly brewed coffee is always available.
Rules and Regulations
Clients are accepted on an individualized basis. Additionally, those with co-occurring disorders are given special consideration, as are those who have had some sobriety, relapsed and only have a few days of abstinence. Those on medication-assisted treatment, including methadone, are also considered for admission. Clients are transported to a minimum of three weekly recovery support group meetings.
There is the belief that “one size does not fit all” in recovery, and while Swanson follows a 12-step protocol, residents are exposed to a variety of recovery support meetings including AA/NA, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery and Dharma Punx-Refuge Recovery, LifeLink and Rational Recovery. Refuge Recovery follows a Buddhist approach, while LifeLink is Christ-centered. Rational Recovery is the antithesis of AA and 12-step programs, and does not regard addiction or alcoholism as a disease, but rather as deliberate behavior.
The curfew is 10:30 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Besides Xanax who performs room searches, random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. While there is a zero tolerance for those found under the influence, Tribe Transitional Living believes in giving clients a “second chance,” provided that they have a strong desire to get back on track. Usually, those who have relapsed must leave for three days and depending on the circumstances, the entire household or Tribe takes a democratic vote, on whether or not they should be allowed to return. In addition to finding feasible employment, clients are expected to participate in community service including volunteering at animal rescues, food banks, nursing homes and homeless shelters.
Extras
At Tribe Transitional Living, there is the belief that having a canine companion can be helpful to recovery. While there are some restrictions, clients are welcome to bring their pooch (at an additional cost). Other services that can be arranged at an additional cost, include sober companions, educational consultation and transportation to outpatient programs. Sober fun activities include visits to Disneyland, kayaking and other recreational outings.
Tribe Transitional Living is in the process of establishing an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for clients suffering from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders.
In Summary
While Swanson personally follows a 12-step approach in her own recovery, she is open-minded and aware that clients have different needs. Tribe Transitional Living is pricey, but it is also innovative and fitting for a variety of people, especially those who seek alternatives to the 12-steps and want to live in a family-like setting. Not only does Tribe take a holistic approach to sober living, but the culturally themed dinners are a celebration of each client’s unique heritage.
Tribe Transitional Living
Mailing address
2390 C Las Posas Road #123
Camarillo, CA 93010
Tribe Transitional Living Cost: $2,800 (30 days). Reach Tribe Transitional Living by phone at (844) OUR-TRIB or by email at sobertribe@gmail.com.
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Photo courtesy of TribeTransitionalLiving
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