Residents

Fern House Resident

What to Expect...

Many would say early recovery is hard. We like to think of early recovery as different.

 It requires different actions, different choices, and different people in our lives. The real challenge in recovery is being able to go outside your comfort zone to incorporate those new actions, choices, and people into our daily routine.

Whatever your normal routine, go ahead and leave that at home. Our daily schedule may seem like too much, it might even seem hard. Life is hard and we want to prepare our residents to stand on their own two feet in all aspects of life. Because of that, the first two weeks can be a culture shock. Once you learn the new routine; recovery is a much easier life than addiction, that we can promise you.

Charles “Chuck” Cordle

Executive Director

Fern House Resident

Meetings.

Meetings are a big part of every resident’s stay at Fern House. There are several reasons why they’re mandatory.

1. Meetings provide support and practical help. Most people who are successful at getting off drugs and alcohol say that supportive meetings are a necessity. These 12-step and other sobriety support meetings are a proven way to keep addicts focused and give them the encouragement and practical guidance that they need.

2. It’s a good habit to start. Once they leave the safe, protected environment of a sober house, our clients will need to attend meetings in order to stay sober. Requiring meeting attendance helps them get into the habit of doing that and it also shows them how helpful these groups are.

3. They show responsibility. Following rules and keeping to a schedule are important habits for addicts to learn. Many of our clients were living disordered, chaotic lives before they got here. Attendance at meetings is an important part of learning to live a new, responsible and sober life.

4. They provide support to family members. At Fern House, we never forget the damage that substance abuse wreaks on families. Al-Anon is an invaluable support group for family members of addicts and alcoholics. At Fern House, we sponsor free Al-Anon meetings that are open to all residents’ family members.

5. They help our clients help each other. We are committed to teaching our residents the importance of mutual help and fellowship. This is an AA principle and it’s also one of ours. Meetings are the perfect opportunity to learn these skills.