What to Expect from the Program at The Grounds
Like life, everything at The Grounds is progressive, with challenges, expectations and responsibilities increasing as members make healthy choices for themselves.
Level One & Two
Main House
Upon completion of Orientation members progress through 3 levels for the duration of their first 90 days.
Goals Include:
- Procure and sustain employment (minimum 24 hours per week)
- Open bank account and develop budget
- Purchase or activate personal smartphone, laptop or other electronics
- Active participation in clinical offerings including individual therapy, groups, medication management with Psychiatrist (if appropriate) and equine therapy
- Positive participation in all programmatic activities including weekly life skills curriculum, Rock to Recovery, Culinary classes, daily meditations and recreation activities
- Participate in weekly recreation activities and outings
- No safety issues or incidents
- Weekly progress meetings with Case Manager
- Complete weekly schedules
- Negative urinalysis screening weekly or as requested
- Self-administer medication as prescribed
- Comply with basic house rules such as daily chores, personal space and curfew
- No body alterations such as tattoo’s or piercings
- Weekly meetings with sponsor
- Attend daily 12-Step meetings
- Weekly family phone calls
- Successful family visit
- Maintain sobriety
- Demonstrate increased autonomy, integrity, responsibility and accountability
Transition/Casita Level
Transition/Casita Level goals and requirements are decided individually between the member and the treatment team to accommodate each members developing independence plan. Completion of Casita Level entitles members to move to the Step Down house. Goals may include:
- Equine therapy is optional
- Group therapy is optional
- Transition Ceremony
Weekly Schedule
Each week, members are required to post and have approved their weekly schedule. Schedules include work shifts, therapy appointments, sponsor meetings, family calls and other activities or responsibilities unique to that member. The weekly schedule helps teach time management, accountability, prioritization of responsibilities, organization and the discipline that comes from structure, planning and consistency. Weekly schedules allow staff to guide and support members as they begin to increase responsibilities and develop their transition plans as well as hold them accountable to program expectations.
Physical Fitness
The Grounds understands the importance of self-care, physical health, and wellness. Recovery is achieved when one embraces and nurtures all aspects of the self. We encourage all of our members to participate in the varied recreational activities we provide so that they can experience the peace of mind, stress release, and self-esteem that comes from physical activity and good physical health. Fitness sessions with our certified personal trainer teach members the basic components of physical health and fitness and allow them to create personal fitness goals that they can work towards during their time at The Grounds. Weekly yoga classes, teach the proven skills and techniques of mindfulness and quieting the mind to all of our members. Our hope is that members will carry new habits of self-care, stress release, and wellness into their everyday lives long after their time at The Grounds.
Rock to Recovery
The Grounds is proud to partner with Rock to Recovery (rocktorecovery.org) to bring the power of music therapy to our members. Founded in 2012 by Wes Geer, professional musician, touring guitarist for the alt-metal band Korn and music teacher, Wes found the universal healing power of music through his own recovery process while in treatment. He created Rock To Recovery to share with others. Rock to Recovery works with over 60 organizations supporting men, women, at-risk youth and Wounded Warriors. Weekly sessions at The Grounds allow all members to play instruments, write songs and record.
With guidance from Rock to Recovery staff who are all in recovery themselves, members start by creating lyrics directly from their own experiences and then develop the music to carry them. Learning to play an instrument, sharing feelings, expressing emotion and collaborating with a team allows for important life lessons and increased self-esteem. Even those with no music experience come to enjoy the comradery, release, and self-esteem that comes when the group works together to create something. The experiences are creative, exciting and healing. We’ve found that our members look forward to the weekly “jam sessions” and we’ve uncovered many hidden musical talents.
