When it comes to transitional living programs for young adults, location matters. Access to opportunity, nature, employment and support are vital.

Recovery requires change – big change. Change in thinking, attitude, and worldview, but also change in environment, people and lifestyle. That is why sober transitional living homes can be a good next step for many people on the path to recovery – they provide a safe, supportive space where individuals can rebuild their lives upon a foundation of new, healthy habits, people and routines.

Dual diagnosis, or co-occurrence, is when an individual has both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about half of all people with mental illness also have a SUD, while one-third of all people with a SUD also have a mental health diagnosis…

More research is needed to really understand the relationship between art therapy and the ways it may help heal the brain systems that control craving and addiction; but anecdotal evidence, along with the proliferation of art and music therapy programs in recovery indicates that these programs are indeed helpful…

In order for transitional living to be an effective step on the path to long-term recovery, it needs to provide comprehensive nutrition education, hands-on instruction on how to maintain a healthy diet, and counseling where necessary. This is because people who struggle with addiction also often battle one form or another of disordered eating, and those that don’t are frequently malnourished and suffering from biochemical, nutritional and metabolic disorders caused by their addiction.

12 Steps and 12 Traditions is the book outlining the 24 basic principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The book was written in 1953 by AA co-founder, William Griffith Wilson, or, as he is more commonly known within the AA community, Bill W. Today’s Anonymous programs address many forms addiction beyond alcohol – from narcotics to gambling to food to the Internet and technology, but all of them follow the basic tenets that can be found in this book and have been guiding addicts through recovery since the program was first developed in the 1930’s.

At The Grounds, we believe that a quality transitional living program should provide more than a place to work on recovery. We believe that transitional living should also be a space for cultivating personal development. One of the ways we encourage our members’ personal development is through mandatory employment

Making the commitment to stay sober is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and to your loved ones. When you decide each day to walk a bit further down the road of recovery you are deciding that your health and well-being matter. You are deciding that YOU matter, and that you deserve a life free from the shackles of addiction.

What makes The Grounds truly unique among transitional living houses is our use of surf therapy. More than just exercise, surf therapy can help foster the personal development and life skills required for a fulfilling sober life.