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Sophie’s Sober House - Programming Agreement
Sophie’s Sober House provides a clean, safe, and supportive environment for individuals in early recovery. This programming agreement outlines the structure and expectations for residents during their time at the house. Adherence to these guidelines is essential for maintaining a productive and sober living environment.
House Rules & Expectations
- Clean and Sober Environment
Sophie’s Sober House is a clean and sober facility. The use of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. Any violation will result in immediate discharge. Report any substance use to the house manager immediately.
- Commitment to Residency
A minimum commitment of four months is required. A 30-day notice is required if vacating the premises.
- Contraband Policy
Drugs, alcohol, paraphernalia, weapons, pornography, and inappropriate items are prohibited. Possession will result in immediate discharge.
- Curfew and Lights Out
All residents must adhere to an 11:00 PM curfew unless otherwise designated by the house manager.
Lights out is from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
- Daily Schedule
All clients must be awake, dressed, and have their rooms in order by 9:00 AM.No napping, resting, or remaining in bed between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM without staff approval.Clients not working must follow the house schedule, including attending the 10:00 AM recovery meeting.
- Damaged Household Items
Residents are responsible for replacing any household items they damage. Only authorized professionals may complete repairs.
- Disruptive Behavior
Verbal threats, physical violence, sexual harassment, property destruction, or intimidation will not be tolerated and may result in immediate discharge.
- Employment, Volunteering, or School Enrollment
All residents must engage in productive daily activities to support their recovery and reintegration into the community. Within two weeks of entering the program, each resident is required to:
- Be gainfully employed,
- Enroll in school, or
- Begin a verified volunteer commitment for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
If a resident is not employed or in school, they are required to:
- Complete 20 hours per week of upkeep or volunteer work on the property, coordinated with house management.
- Meeting Requirements Based on Status:
- Residents employed or in school full-time (24+ hours/week) must attend at least 2 recovery meetings per week.
Residents not employed or enrolled must attend at least 3 recovery meetings per week, not including the mandatory 10:00 AM peer-led daily recovery meeting.
- Attendance, Absences, and Reporting:
- Missing work, school, or volunteer assignments requires prior staff approval.
- Residents must notify staff before quitting a job or calling out sick.
- If calling off due to illness, residents must provide a doctor’s note and inform staff immediately.
- Food and Meals
Residents are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food. Label all personal food and drinks. Do not consume items belonging to others.
- General Etiquette
- Do not lend or borrow money, belongings, or vehicles between clients.
- Do not remove household items or supplies from the house.
- Gender Boundaries
Residents must respect gender-designated areas. Men are not permitted in the women’s area, and women are not permitted in the men’s area.
- House Chores and Cleanliness
- Complete daily chores assigned by the house manager. If absent, arrange for someone else to complete your chore.
- Follow the posted schedule for cleaning the kitchen, bathrooms, and shared spaces.
- Immediately wash, dry, and store dishes after use.
- Keep common areas (living room, dining room) neat and clutter-free.
- Do not leave laundry unattended. Laundry is permitted during posted hours only.
- House Meetings
Attendance at the weekly All-House Meeting is mandatory. These meetings occur every Sunday at 4:00 PM.
- Individual House Meetings
Weekly individual house meetings will be held on an as-requested basis.
- Medication Policy
Medications must be stored in their original containers inside the provided locked box. New prescriptions must be reported and approved by house management.
- Meeting Attendance Records
Submit recovery meeting attendance sheets at the All-House Meeting on Sundays. (This requirement should now be understood as the final sentence of Section 8 above.)
- Mental Health and Safety
Clients must disclose any issues related to sobriety, mental health, or illegal activity.
Report any dangerous, illegal, or harmful activity to staff.
- Neighbor Relations
Maintain respectful relationships with neighbors. Do not enter neighboring properties. Report any disputes to staff.
- Noise Levels and Electronics
Maintain reasonable noise levels at all times. Loud music, yelling, and disruptive behavior are prohibited.All electronic devices must be turned off one hour after curfew.
- Outside Furniture
Outside furniture is not permitted unless approved by the house manager.
- Overnight Passes
After 30 days, residents may request one overnight pass per week, with at least 24 hours’ notice to the house manager.
- Personal Hygiene and Cleanliness
Maintain proper hygiene, including daily showers, brushing teeth, and clean clothing.Beds must be made daily. Rooms must remain clean and organized, with clothes put away.
- Personal Items After Discharge
Items left behind by discharged residents will be held for 7 days and then donated to charity. Residents are responsible for arranging timely pickup.
- Program Fees
Monthly fee is $600. A non-refundable $400 deposit is required to secure your bed. Payments are due by the 1st of each month.
- Recovery Plan
Maintain an active and documented recovery plan. Attend a minimum of 3 recovery meetings per week if not employed, or 2 per week if employed/enrolled in school (24+ hours). A daily 10:00 AM peer-led recovery meeting is required unless a resident is at work.
- Responsibility for Personal Property
Sophie’s Sober House is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Keep valuables off-site.
- Room & Vehicle Inspections
Random, unannounced room and vehicle inspections may occur.
- Sign In/Out Policy
Clients must sign in and out whenever leaving or returning to the property.
- Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking or vaping indoors is strictly prohibited.
- Sobriety and Drug Testing Requirement
All residents must be sober for at least 72 hours prior to admission and provide a clean urine drug screen.Random drug/alcohol testing may be conducted.
- Sponsorship Requirement
Secure a sponsor within 30 days of admission. Each resident is allowed one sponsor.
- Supportive Environment
Sophie’s Sober House fosters a peaceful, recovery-focused space. Residents are encouraged to engage in prayer, meditation, and self-reflection. The program is rooted in a peer-led model, supported by therapeutic evidence demonstrating that peer-based recovery support improves long-term outcomes. Through shared leadership and responsibility, residents promote accountability, connection, and empowerment. Residents are expected to contribute by leading meetings, mentoring new members, organizing group activities, and modeling respectful, recovery-focused behavior.
- Theft
Theft is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate discharge.
- Vehicle Policy
Vehicles must be fully functional, insured, and registered. Do not perform repairs on-site. Park in assigned areas only.
- Visitation Policy
Guests are not allowed on the premises. Meet visitors off-site. Any exceptions require prior staff approval (case workers, doctors, etc.).
- Video and Audio Surveillance
All common areas of the home are under video and audio surveillance for resident safety and compliance.
Acknowledgment of Agreement
I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to abide by all the rules and expectations outlined above for residency at Sophie’s Sober House. I understand that failure to comply with these rules may result in immediate discharge from the program and/or loss of privileges, including buddy requirements, curfew restrictions, or suspension of overnight passes, depending on the severity of the infraction.
This Agreement ("Agreement") is made between the resident (hereinafter "Resident") and Sophie's Sober House ("House" or "Program"). By signing this Agreement, the Resident acknowledges and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this document, as well as the policies, rules, and regulations of Sophie's Sober House.
1. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW The House is established in compliance with the 2036 Federal Anti-Drug Act of 1988, P.L. 100-690, as amended, which mandates that sober houses must:
- Prohibit the use of alcohol or illegal mind-altering substances by all residents.
- Expel any resident who violates the prohibition of such substances.
- Require residents to share in the household expenses, including monthly program fees, as outlined in the House's financial policy.
- Utilize democratic decision-making within the group, including decisions regarding the inclusion or expulsion of residents.
2. RESIDENT PARTICIPATION The Resident acknowledges and agrees that:
- They are a participant in the sober living program, not a tenant.
- The House is a program intended to provide sober living, and the Resident is not afforded the protections of local landlord/tenant laws.
- The Resident renounces any and all rights they may or may not have under local landlord/tenant laws, including but not limited to eviction protections or requirements.
3. SOUND MIND & CONDITIONS The Resident represents and warrants that:
- They are of sound mind and are not under the influence of any alcohol, drugs, or mind-altering substances at the time of signing this Agreement.
- They agree to maintain sobriety throughout their participation in the program and to immediately notify Sophie's Sober House if they experience any challenges related to substance use.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULES The Resident agrees to:
- Abide by all rules and regulations of Sophie's Sober House, as provided to the Resident upon entry and as amended from time to time.
- Participate in the required programs, including group activities, meetings, and other requirements as outlined by the House.
- Respect the House's decision-making process and cooperate with other residents in group-related decisions, including inclusion and expulsion decisions.
- Accept that any violation of the House rules, including but not limited to substance use or disruptive behavior, may result in disciplinary action or expulsion from the program.
5. EXPULSION AND FORFEITURE OF FEES The Resident acknowledges and agrees that:
- Violation of the rules and regulations of Sophie's Sober House may result in immediate expulsion from the program.
- In the event of expulsion, the Resident forfeits any sober deposit and prepaid program fees.
- Expulsion decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The House’s decision regarding expulsion is binding.
6. RELEASE OF LIABILITY The Resident hereby releases and holds harmless Sophie's Sober House, its staff, management, and affiliates from any and all liability, claims, or lawsuits, whether known or unknown, arising out of or related to the Resident’s participation in the program. This release extends to all claims made by the Resident, their family, heirs, or legal representatives.
7. GOVERNING LAW This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which Sophie's Sober House operates, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, related to the subject matter hereof. Any amendments or modifications to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Resident and an authorized representative of Sophie's Sober House.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND SIGNATURE
By signing below, the Resident acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the policies of Sophie's Sober House.