Recovery House Rules and Requirements

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Drug Screening Policies:

1. Random drug screenings and/or breathalyzers will be administered periodically, with participants expected to undergo a minimum of one screening per week. Clients can be called in for drug screenings at any time, as often as the staff considers necessary. When called, clients must respond within one hour to submit for the drug screening. Rest assured, clients will not be asked for drug screenings during known working hours. Only staff or members of the Board of Directors can initiate drug screenings, which may be administered and observed by a minimum of 2 residents.

2. Failure or refusal to participate in a drug screening or breathalyzer, or failing to do so within the one-hour timeframe, can lead to immediate dismissal from the program. 

3. A positive result from a drug screening or breathalyzer will result in automatic dismissal from the housing program. Participants must wait 30 days to re-apply, and completing drug and alcohol treatment or detox may also be required for re-entry into the program. Recovery Renaissance will assist in referring clients for treatment upon request.

4. All drug screenings and breathalyzers must be supervised by staff. If staff is unavailable, two peers designated by the staff can observe the screening, but peer observations must also be authorized by staff.

Participant Agreements:

1. Participants agree to refrain from engaging in ANY illegal activity.

2. Participants commit to reporting any illegal activity by fellow participants to staff while in the Recovery Renaissance program. Failure to do so can lead to immediate expulsion from the program and housing.

3. Participants agree to provide a release of information as required for progress in the recovery program.

4. Participants agree to abstain from gambling during their time in the program.

5. Participants acknowledge that NO PETS are allowed in the home or on the property.

6. Participants agree to maintain personal hygiene for their own health and to respect the well-being of others. This encompasses daily showers, deodorant use, and dental care.

7. Participants agree to take responsibility for household chores assigned, ensuring cleanliness in both common areas and their personal spaces.

8. Participants must respect all members of the home and neighborhood. Entertainment such as music, movies, and games must not disturb fellow residents or neighbors. Disrespectful behavior can be grounds for intervention and/or dismissal from the recovery program.

Meetings:

1. All participants are required to attend outside 12-step meetings, faith-based recovery meetings, or alternative recovery meetings, and must show proof of attendance at the weekly house meetings. Each participant must join a 'home group' and consistently attend. Examples include: AA, NA, DAA, SMART Recovery, and Celebrate Recovery. Required meeting frequency will depend on each participant's phase within the program.

2. Attendance at weekly house meetings is mandatory on Mondays from 8:00 – 10:00 P.M. Participants must manage their work schedules to accommodate this meeting. Exceptions are rare and must be approved by staff three days in advance via the house text thread.

3. Weekly program fees, meeting attendance slips, pill counts, proof of employment, recovery program reports, and service work reports must be submitted at the weekly house meeting. Any other relevant appointments or information for the upcoming week should also be presented during this meeting.

4. Participants are required to engage in a one-on-one or group 'goals' session with the program manager at least once weekly. Scheduling for these sessions will be on an individual basis.

Fees:

1. Weekly program fees are due at the house meeting on Monday and can only be paid to staff directly. Accepted payment methods include money orders, credit cards, or debit cards.

2. Payments not made at the house meeting will incur a $5 late fee for each day the payment is overdue.

Visitors:

1. Guests of Recovery Renaissance residents are subject to surveillance while on the property.

2. All visitors must undergo drug testing or breathalyzers at any time. If a visitor refuses, they must leave the residence immediately. Drug screenings must be authorized by staff or the Board of Directors.

3. Anyone entering or exiting the home must sign in, noting arrival and departure times, and their relationship to the resident they are visiting.

4. Visitation hours are 8 A.M. – 10 P.M. Sunday – Thursday, and 8 A.M. – Midnight Friday and Saturday. Visitors must remain in common areas; access to bedrooms is prohibited at all times.

5. House managers, Recovery Renaissance staff, or the Recovery Renaissance Board of Directors can request visitors to leave the property at any time.

Medications:

1. The abuse or misuse of ANY substance for mood or mind alteration will result in immediate eviction.

2. Participants must store all medications (prescription and OTC) in provided lockboxes within their personal spaces and keep them locked. Participants are prohibited from allowing anyone other than staff or Board members access to their lockboxes. Staff or Board members are only permitted access for authorized pill counts, which can be requested at any time. Similar rules apply as with drug screenings. However, pill counts require staff or Board member supervision; house managers or participants cannot conduct counts without staff oversight.

3. Participants must take their medications as prescribed. Any discrepancies in pill count may lead to serious consequences, including eviction from the recovery program. Scheduled drugs are prohibited, and emergency situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by staff. Participants must inform staff of any medication changes immediately.

Other Rules and Policies:

1. Tobacco, smokeless tobacco, dipping, or vaping of any type is strictly prohibited inside the house, with no spit receptacles allowed indoors. Tobacco use is only permitted outside without exceptions.

2. Employment (unless disabled) is a mandatory requirement of the recovery program. Unemployed participants must provide proof of active job searching. While seeking employment, participants may be required to engage in community service at the discretion of staff until employment is achieved.

3. Program participants on disability must perform a minimum of 20 hours of approved community service each week, verified by staff. Staff will assist in finding suitable community service opportunities.

4. Staff reserves the right to inspect the house, rooms, and personal property at any time. Any refusal may lead to eviction.

5. Theft will not be tolerated. Any suspicions or accusations of theft will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be determined by staff, including fines, criminal charges, and potential eviction.

6. Residents must be appropriately clothed in common areas and outside of their bedrooms and bathrooms.

7. No food or drinks (except water) are permitted in bedrooms.

8. Residents must date leftover and open food using a marker; open food and leftovers must be discarded after one week.

9. All residents are required to lock doors to the home when leaving.

10. Participants who are evicted must wait 30 days before re-applying to Recovery Renaissance for any reason.

11. Violations of program rules by participants will be addressed at the discretion of staff or the Board of Directors. These recovery program rules are in place to support a safe and productive recovery environment.

Phase one:

Requirements to complete:

Must obtain employment or have legal income (clients on disability / Social Security are required to complete 20 hours of community service per week). To ensure compliance with drug screening policies, participants will be subject to regular tests. 

Minimum of 30 days in the program.

Must have a confirmed sponsor and completed steps 1-3. (A.A., N.A., D.A.A., Celebrate Recovery are all accepted under participant agreements.)

Must attend all house meetings (2 per week).

Must attend 5 outside meetings per week and have a home group.

Restrictions:

10 P.M. curfew Sunday – Thursday; Midnight on Friday and Saturday.

No overnight stays.

Phase two:

Requirements to complete:

Maintain employment or community service (disability / SS). 

Minimum of 90 days in the program.

Must have a confirmed sponsor and completed steps 4-6. (A.A., N.A., D.A.A., Celebrate Recovery are all accepted.)

Must attend all house meetings (2 per week).

Must attend 4 outside meetings per week and have a home group.

Restrictions:

11 P.M. curfew Sunday – Thursday; 1 A.M. on Friday and Saturday.

1 overnight stay per week with approval by Monday House meeting.

Phase three:

Requirements to complete:

Maintain employment or community service (disability / SS).

Minimum of 6 months in the program.

Must have a confirmed sponsor and completed steps 7-9. (A.A., N.A., D.A.A., Celebrate Recovery are all accepted.)

Must attend all house meetings (2 per week).

Must attend 3 outside meetings per week and have a home group.

Restrictions:

Midnight curfew Sunday - Thursday; 2 A.M. Friday and Saturday.

2 overnight stays per week with approval at Monday house meeting.

Phase four: (3/4 living eligible)

Requirements to complete:

Maintain employment / community service (disability / SS).

Minimum of 9 months in the program.

Must have a confirmed sponsor and completed all 12 steps. (A.A., N.A., D.A.A., Celebrate Recovery are all accepted.)

Must attend all house meetings (2 per week).

Must attend 2 outside meetings per week and have a home group.

Restrictions:

None.