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JOURNEY TO RECOVERY

Living on the streets can be a vicious cycle of addiction and homelessness. Whether businessman or laborer, professional or drop-out, substance abusers can find themselves on the street, sleeping in alleys, behind buildings or along railroad tracks in all types of weather. Local shelters are often full or will not accept an intoxicated person. The Healing Place can offer hope for the homeless addict.

On any given day, more than 150 men and 88 women will wake up at a Healing Place facility. Some will return to the street. Others will opt for a path that can return them to their former lives.

There are 180 beds at the men's facility and 88 beds at the women's facility available each night where a homeless user of alcohol or other drugs can rest and receive food and clothing. They can also see an alternative: others on their way to recovery who are participating in The Healing Place program. When addicts see their peers working, studying and staying sober, they see the possibility of sobriety and a return to a healthy, productive life.

Recovery is a step-by-step process through The Healing Place’s services: an Overnight Emergency Shelter; a Sobering up Center, a detoxification facility; an Off-the-Street Motivational Program, which is a recovery track; a residential Phase Recovery Program; and a Health Care/Self-Care Clinic.

Overnight Emergency Shelter The Overnight Emergency Shelter has 36 beds with 20 additional mats available during severe weather at the men's facility and 10 shelter beds. The women's facility has 10 Overnight beds and 10 additional beds for severe weather. Beds are available seven days a week on a first-come, first-served basis. Unlike other shelters, The Healing Place does not turn away people who are intoxicated. For at least one night, they can shower, receive a nutritious meal and clean clothes, and sleep in a safe, warm bed. At this stage of the program, a bed is not guaranteed nor is a participation in the program required.  Anything beyond basic food, shelter and clothing is based upon the homeless person's commitment and desire to get sober. Overnight guests who are interested in getting into the program are asked to attend Recovery Dynamics classes in order to be guaranteed a bed in the Off-the-Street Program.

Shelter Operation: Men:  Pick up every day (7 days a week) at 4 pm from the Wilmington Street Shelter.  Women:  Pick up every day (7 days a week) at 3:15pm from The Women's Center across from Moore Square.  Guests MUST have an up-to-date TB test card.  Lights out at 10 p.m.  Breakfast at 5:30 a.m.  Off property by 7 a.m.

 

Sobering Up Center

The Sobering Up Center at the men's facility, with its 22 beds, provides a caring and supportive environment where an addict can be safely detoxed. The women's facility will have a 10 bed Sobering Up Center when the license is approved by the state.  Here, they are encouraged by the staff and their peers to commit to the next phase of recovery through the Off-the-Street Motivational Program.

 Our centers offer an alternative to emergency rooms, jails or the streets. It is also a common-sense approach to dealing with homelessness and addiction because it allows residents who are sober to have an impact on those who are in detox.

An average stay in the Sobering Up Center is from 3 to 5 days. If a person chooses to work towards sobriety, they then move into the Off-the-Street Motivational Program.

Off-the-Street Motivational Program

The Off-the-Street Program is the first phase of the recovery program. It is designated as a "motivational track," where clients are educated about the disease of addiction. Off-the-Street is based on reciprocity. In exchange for attending Recovery Dynamics classes five days a week, plus three mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a homeless person is guaranteed a bed each night.

Advancement in the program is based upon the total number of Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous meetings he attends each week. Education about addiction is central to our program. A resident will average 12 to 15 meetings a week to learn about the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of addiction and recovery. A homeless person gains knowledge that will help keep them off the streets.

The average length of time spent in Off-the-Street is 8 to 10 weeks, after which a client may enter the recovery phase.

Phase I Program

Clients in the Phase I Recovery Program have living quarters that are like dormitories. There are 46 beds in the men's facility and 28 at the women's facility.  Here clients are required to participate in maintaining the facilities in addition to attending classes held at The Healing Place

The homeless client is now part of a community. Each resident receives a job assignment. Responsibilities range from basic maintenance to clerical duties: cafeteria, building and grounds maintenance, laundry, The Clothes Closet, security, office support or van driver.

At this stage, responsibility is essential as a resident moves beyond sobering up. They must attend the remaining Recovery Dynamics sessions to complete the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous; must work with new residents in the Off-the-Street Motivational Program; and must complete a Life Skills class through Wake Technical Community College and Ready To Rent classes.

In Life Skills, they learn how to gain employment, save money and move into independent housing. Wake Tech also teaches GED classes at The Healing Place. A resident spends an average 4 to 6 months in the Recovery Phase.

Phase II Transitional Program

The Phase II Transitional Program is a resident’s final stage at The Healing Place. At the men's facility there are 36 beds available and 24 at the women's facility for those individuals who have been sober for more than six months.

A resident is now developing a lifestyle and understanding about choices that will support ongoing sobriety. Phase II provides a resident with resources to move back into society as a self-sufficient, tax-paying and sober citizen. While living in this structured and supportive environment, a former homeless user of alcohol or other drugs receives help gaining employment, opening a bank account, resolving outstanding legal issues and finding independent housing.

A resident will stay in this transitional program for 3 to 9 months, depending on their needs. At this point, they may sign a 90-day contract to teach Recovery Dynamics classes in exchange for free room and board and a weekly stipend.  

As a recovering addict moves towards their final stage of sobriety, there are significant changes in their responsibilities and privileges. A Phase II participant may leave the property for work, meetings, leisure or on an overnight pass. However, they must sign in and out on a board located in the Sobering Up Center, where people just off the streets are sobering up.

The interaction of a resident who is preparing to move back into society and those just coming off the streets reinforces the changes that a resident has made in their life – and serves as an example to others.

Health Care/Self Care
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