Progress House’s sober living is rooted in The Twelve Steps, and includes treatment and other evidenced-based services in a structured setting that maximizes the likelihood of long-term recovery from substance use disorder, and other co-occurring conditions. Residents receive treatment from licensed therapists and skills training and peer support from certified recovery coaches. They will also receive primary medical care, case management and employment/vocational services. If the Resident is addicted to opioids, he may also be prescribed MAT to increase his likelihood of successful, long term recovery. The programming in Residential Recovery can last from three to six months.
During a Resident’s stay at Progress House, he will be immersed in a foundation of recovery through 12 Step Programming, including: participate in a 12 Step Program Workshop, daily prayer and meditation, spiritual and step work, required weekly attendance in at least four, 12 Step meetings, and a weekly meeting a sponsor.
The weekends include recreational activities such as movies, paintball, hiking, Frisbee golf, bowling, attendance at sporting events, visits to art galleries and museums, and other social activities and downtime. Our main campus location has staff members on duty 24/7.
Sober living at Progress House includes a twelve-step immersion program. To explain what that means, we first must describe the phrase “twelve-step based” which is a phrase often used in the treatment and recovery industry.
“Twelve step-based” often means go to the required number of meetings, get a sponsor and work the steps but with minimal guidance or accountability. When someone in early recovery is asked to manage these new requirements and relationships with no oversight and guidance the outcome is often not good. We do not think that is sufficient given that addiction is a life and death scenario for those we serve.
Throughout the Resident’s stay at Progress House, our Certified Recovery Coaches provide oversight and accountability to ensure that our residents are actively working the steps of a 12 Step Recovery Program. In addition, every Resident participates in a 14 session, eight week 12 Step workshop, during which each Resident is required to work all 12 Steps, including active work and mentorship with his sponsor. We also require meeting attendance at 12 Step groups that are known to be active in recovery, unity, and service. As a result, our residents have access to solid meetings and experienced sponsors.
Our timeline for step work completion and individual one-on-one sessions with our residents and their case managers/recovery mentors infuse discipline and accountability while our prayer and meditation groups help them develop and practice these vital spiritual tools. After 90 days, our residents can apply for Phase 2 of our program and are often ready to begin sponsoring other men through The Twelve Steps. Many say, “this is way too fast” or “take it easy, work the steps when you’re ready”. Why would we take our time or take it easy completing a process that saves us from a ceaseless and deadly illness? For the real alcoholic and addict, these steps are a life and death errand.
The memory of the pain, suffering, and consequences of our last relapse will eventually fade and the fears associated with them will disappear. As such, it’s only by actively sponsoring newcomers that we stay connected to the hopelessness and devastation of our personal addictions. Active sponsorship provides us with immunity against the first drink or drug but more importantly, it gives addicts and alcoholics the sense of purpose and usefulness which we must have to live happy, joyous, and free.
Most traditional sober living programs do not offer twelve step immersion. If you are looking for a transitional living program, we encourage you to visit the facility and ask as many questions as possible. Your life is on the line and although the steps are not the only pathway to recovery, our personal experience is if they are worked honestly and thoroughly they will introduce us to a Power that will generate a personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from addiction.
The 12-Steps have been proven to work, they have created a revolutionary change in the way of living and thinking for millions. Sober living can be much more than living with others who are trying to stay clean and sober, working, and going to meetings. Progress House stresses the importance of submitting to a way other than your own, working the steps, getting involved in the unity of the 12-step community and sponsorship. This is our model for recovery and we know it works from personal experience.
For 58 years Progress House provided a safe and sober environment for our residents. We encouraged men to attend 12-step meetings, work the steps, and become self-supporting through gainful employment. We have a wonderful heritage and thousands of our residents have recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body.
Today, we are building on our heritage and we can be described as a hybrid between a sober living program and a residential addiction recovery center. We have a staff of 25 professionals, which includes licensed clinical addictions counselors, case managers, recovery coaches, food service, facilities, operations, residential and re-entry staff and our executive team. Over 20 of our staff members are in recovery and several of our employees are former residents of Progress House.
We are excited to introduce you to the "new" Progress House.
