Rose Castro, the Foundation’s president, explains how the non-profit helps fund sober-living house patients.
1. Can you tell us about the sober living houses supported by the Foundation?
We have sponsored people in various sober living houses in Southern California. We work most closely with The Fellowship House in Newbury Park, as we love their program, which teaches addicts how to live sober on a daily basis, in a loving, family-like setting. All members of the house are recovering addicts, so there is an abundance of mental and emotional support.
2. Why do you think a sober living house is the best way to treat drug addiction?
While the road to recovery is different for every person, I believe that residing in a quality sober-living house, solidifies the addict’s sobriety. It is not enough to just be clean for 30, 60 or 90 days. The opiates have literally changed the brain and prevent people from making rational, reasonable decisions. We believe, as do many addiction specialists, that it takes (typically) one year or longer, to “reset” the brain. Sober-living houses provide a drug-free environment, where the addict can live and learn how to deal with their life, without resorting to drug use.
