LIVING IN RECOVERY INC

LIVING IN RECOVERY, INC. (LIR) CURRENTLY OPERATES TWO HOUSES FOR MEN AND ONE FOR WOMEN WITH A TOTAL OF 19 BEDS. THE POPULATION SERVED IS ADULTS IN RECOVERY FROM ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ADDICTION. TOO OFTEN PEOPLE LEAVING DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND QUICKLY RELAPSE BECAUSE THEY RETURN TO THEIR FORMER HOUSING AND ASSOCIATES THAT WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR ADDICTION. RECOVERY HOUSING HELPS STOP THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION-REHAB-RELAPSE AND INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR SUSTAINED RECOVERY. LIR OWNS OR LEASES RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN HOWARD COUNTY TO PROVIDE THIS HOUSING, BUT THE FOCUS OF THE WORK IS ON HELPING RESIDENTS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SOBRIETY AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS, HABITS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO SUSTAIN IT. LIR DOES NOT PROVIDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT BUT REQUIRES THAT RESIDENTS MUST REMAIN FREE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, AND BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN A DAILY RECOVERY PROGRAM, INCLUDING REGULAR ATTENDANCE IN AA OR NA MEETINGS, ALL RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN A SPONSOR AND A HOME GROUP IN THEIR FIRST 30 DAYS. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING. RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP A PERSONAL RECOVERY PLAN THAT MAY INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL OUTPATIENT TREATMENT. LIR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS MONITOR SOBRIETY, SAFETY, HOUSEKEEPING, AND ROUTINE HOUSE ACTIVITIES. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, SHARE HOUSEHOLD CHORES, PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY HOUSE MEETINGS, ABIDE BY CURFEWS AND PAY RENT WEEKLY IN ADVANCE. THEY PROVIDE THEIR OWN FOOD AND PREPARE THEIR OWN MEALS. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT ON RESIDENCY; THEY MAY STAY AS LONG AS THEY LIKE, ALTHOUGH MOST MOVE TO MORE INDEPENDENT LIVING WITHIN ONE YEAR. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, LIVING IN RECOVERY HAS SERVED OVER 300 RESIDENTS AND 65% HAVE REMAINED CLEAN AND SOBER WHILE IN RESIDENCE. THE POSITIVE IMPACTS ARE MANY: SOBRIETY, EMPLOYMENT, RECONNECTION WITH FAMILY, THE MUTUAL SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS ALL FACING THE SAME STRUGGLE, AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE. THE IMPACT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE RESIDENT, BUT EXTENDS TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, EMPLOYERS, CO-WORKERS AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, WHICH WILL NO LONGER NEED TO HOSPITALIZE, ARREST OR INCARCERATE THEM.