The Basics
Valley Sober Living is a group of five sober living facilities, including four houses and one apartment complex in Stockton and Lodi, California. Owner Robert Klinger founded the program in 2009 when he was trying to help a friend in recovery. There are two live-in managers at each residence, referred to as the “house parent” and “assistant house parent,” respectively. Valley Sober Living implements a 12-step approach in day-to-day living and in the rules that residents must follow.
Accommodations and Amenities
The five Valley Sober Living locations are known as Swain House, Madison House, the Lodi apartment complex on Elm Street, Ceres Sober Living and New American House sober apartments. Between 60 and 74 clients are accommodated in total. All locations are co-ed except for New American House, which exclusively serves men.
Houses include double, triple and quadruple-occupancy rooms. A typical double-occupancy room includes twin beds, two dressers and a shared closet. Valley Sober Living amenities include Cable TV, laundry facilities, Comcast Wi-Fi, local and long distance phone privileges, backyard barbeques and large backyards. Residents purchase their own groceries and prepare their own meals in fully equipped kitchens.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to admission, prospective clients must have at least 48 hours clean and sober and the houses require a 30-day minimum of length of stay. All residents must participate in daily 12-step meetings and be actively working the program. This includes obtaining a sponsor, getting a Big Book and working the steps. Other requirements include attending house meetings, performing household chores and being accountable to the house parents. Clients are allowed to have approved visitors, who almost must be clean and sober.
All residents are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. At Valley Sober Living, clients who test positive must leave the premises immediately to ensure the safety of the entire household. Clients are allowed to return after 48 hours, provided that they pass drug and alcohol tests and they are willing to recommit to staying clean and sober. There is $100 relapse fee for returning clients who are given a second chance.
At Valley Sober Living, those who are on medication-assisted treatment are admitted, but the medication cannot be the same as the drug that the client was using to get high. Additionally, the medication must be controlled and dispensed by staff. Besides the founder Klinger, Valley Sober Living operates under the direction of general manager Lon Stromnes, who has over 12 years of experience working as a Sober Living Specialist.
Extras
Valley Sober Living is a member of the Sober Living Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the operation and management of sober living and other community recovery support resources.
In Summary
While co-ed accommodations and living with house managers who call themselves parents will not appeal to everyone, former clients rave about Valley Sober Living, saying that the staff goes the extra mile to provide guidance and support. While most of the facilities are co-ed, management dedicated to making sure that clients stay focused and stick to their recovery goals.
Valley Sober Living Main Office
1427 N. Madison
Stockton, CA 95202
Valley Sober Living Cost: $400-$525 (30 days). Reach Valley Sober Living by phone at (209) 430-7547 or by email. Find Valley Sober Living on Facebook and Google+
Do you have a complaint or review of Valley Sober Living to add? Use the comments area below to add your Valley Sober Living review.
Photo courtesy of GoogleMaps
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.
