Sober Living FAQ

Questions about Sober Living in Austin? 

Check out our FAQ Below

How long do I have to be sober to move in?

We require one day of sobriety for extended care homes, and for our Graduate House, a minimum of 30 days sober.

What is your admissions process like?

Our goal is to keep things quick and simple. Here’s happens:

1. You fill out an online application: CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
2. We call you for a brief phone interview. Expect to provide us with a snapshot of where you are right now with your life and in your recovery.
3. We reserve you a bed and schedule your intake.
4. You move in. On the date of your move-in, you’ll sit down with a house manager, review house rules and fill out additional paperwork.

What are the requirements for admission to the Graduate House?

For acceptance into our Graduate House, potential residents must be at least 30 days sober or have finished Steps 1-4 in a 12-Step program.

Does my insurance cover sober living?

Insurance will not typically cover sober living housing. Some plans do, however, cover partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which may be a part of your treatment plan while living with us. Contact your insurance company for coverage details.

How much does sober living cost?

Cost depends upon the specific house in which you are placed and the level of care you require. Please contact us to discuss how we can assist in your recovery in the most effective and affordable way possible.

How do I financially support my child while he or she lives at Second Chances?

We recommend that families budget roughly $150 a week for food, basic necessities and transportation. True Link Financial is a great resource for families looking for accountability on how the discretionary money they provide their loved ones is spent. True Link prepaid cards allow parents to set parameters on how much money is spent, where, and to receive real-time text notifications on spending.

What are the house rules?

Each house and each recovery phase in our program comes with its own guidelines. The short and sweet summary is this:

1. If you wouldn’t do it at your Grandma’s house, you probably shouldn’t do it here.
2. Have fun.
3. Stay sober.

Are 12-Step meetings required for residents?

Any type of recovery meeting works for us, whether 12-step, Refuge, Celebrate Recovery, or another recognized recovery meeting. We ask that you attend a minimum of four of these meetings each week.

What should I bring?

Once you’ve been placed in a Second Chances home, contact your house manager for recommendations specific to that house, as storage space differs between homes. Generally, it’s a good idea to come with at least the following items:

• A few sets of clothes for work
• Several nice outfits for meetings, outings, etc.
• Dress shoes, sneakers, and sandals
• Blankets, pillows and/or other comfort items that you prefer (bedding is otherwise provided)
• Toiletries and hygiene products
• Cell phone/laptop/personal electronics
• Laundry detergent
• Towels
• Spiral notebook and pen
• Money for food and transportation
• The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (available at meetings, but you may want your own copy)

Do you accommodate pregnant women?

Our Women’s Home “A House Called Beautiful” accepts pregnant women and supports their care. 

How long do I have to stay?

There is no term commitment. However, most people stay roughly a year.

Can I leave at any time?

Yes, though of course we prefer that you provide us with advance notice,

Can I have visitors?

Immediate family are welcome into common living areas at any time. No members of the opposite sex are permitted in residents’ bedrooms.

How do I get a sponsor?

We’ll help you find a temporary sponsor when you arrive at your Second Chances home. Eventually, you will get a permanent sponsor through whichever recovery meeting becomes your “home group”.

What about transportation?

Residents who do not have their own vehicles usually rely upon rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to get around Austin.

Are WiFi and cable provided?

Yes. Every bedroom in our homes is also equipped with a flat-screen TV.

Can I have my car and laptop?

Yes, and yes. This is a home, not a treatment center.

Can I vape?

Yes, we allow vaping. 

Do I have to have a job while living with Second Chances?

Residents in our extended care homes who are not involved in aftercare such as an IOP or PHP should be actively seeking employment as soon as possible. Residents of our Graduate House must be employed or involved in an aftercare program.

What happens if I relapse while in sober living?

Because we believe in a recovery approach that is tailored to the individual, Second Chances prefers to deal with relapse on a case by case basis rather than relying on a blanket policy of kicking residents out on the first offense.

At our extended care homes, residents who are honest about their relapse will be medically cleared and offered a “Second Chance protocol”. That protocol usually involves doubling the number of required weekly 12-step meetings and sponsor meetings for the duration of a month. An earlier curfew will also be instituted.

Residents of our Graduate House are held to higher standards. Someone who has relapsed will typically be moved down to an extended care home, where he or she will have the opportunity to re-work Steps 1-4 for 30 days in order to qualify to move back to our Graduate House.

Second Chances allows MAT in its homes. Isn’t medication-assisted treatment (MAT) just substituting one drug for another?

Yes, and no. While it’s true that medication-assisted therapies use opioids to treat opioid addiction, these medications are in a low dose form that affects the body very differently than an addict’s drug of choice.

When carefully monitored and used as directed, medications like methadone and buprenorphine (brand name Suboxone) do not provide the same “high” that heroin or other abused opioids do. Instead, they produce stable levels of the drug in the brain, and in doing so ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings that lead to relapse. An added benefit is that these medications interfere with the effects of heroin or other drugs if the patient attempts to get high, suppressing their effects. Research has shown these medications can play an important role in stabilizing someone suffering from a substance abuse disorder, enabling him or her to get help and persevere through treatment.

Ultimately, MAT is replacing one drug with another. But the important distinction is that it’s replacing a drug that will kill you with one that will help you get and stay sober, hold down a job, and return to being a productive member of society. We at Second Chances think that’s a worthwhile trade-off.

How do I get a completion letter to my attorney?

You can request one from your house manager. Click here to see a sample letter.

Can I get a letter verifying I’ve paid my dues?

Absolutely. We’d love to help you get into your own place. Contact your house manager to make arrangements.