A Day in the Life
Many people ask, “What’s a typical day like for the women in your program?”
The simple answer is that it is highly structured, immerses the participants in a blend of individual and group therapy sessions, and is designed to provide 24/7 support for the residents as they grapple with making significant behavior changes in their lives and to develop the resolve it takes to live a sober, healthy life as a caring parent.
The women in residential treatment set their own unique goals for achieving and sustaining sobriety, developing healthy behaviors and relationships, evolving as a nurturing and effective parent, and for some, preparing for childbirth. All create a plan for re-entry into the community after treatment is complete. All HHH program elements are designed around and incorporate evidence-based practices.
The residential program is staffed 24/7 and overseen by a highly trained clinical director, Beth O’Dell, who is dually licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MLADC). Our clinical staff hold a variety of licenses and related degrees.
Mornings
Residents, made up of moms, expectant moms, babies, and children up to age five, are up between 6-7 am each morning. It’s a time for participants and moms to get ready for the day. They shower, pack their children’s bags with diapers and other necessities they will need while at childcare, or while being cared for by volunteers, as the women participate in the daily programming.
A group breakfast is served. All residents are expected help with clean up and then tidying up of their rooms. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon every resident is required to participate in group treatment. The groups focus on topics such as relapse prevention, anger management, behavioral treatment and health strategies, and nurturing parenting training.
At noon, all residents and children who are in the house eat lunch together. Staff are on hand to prompt healthy conversations and to model how parents can set the tone for positive mealtime family conversations with their children.
Afternoons
From 1-3 pm, the residents all take part in a blend of individual treatment and more group therapy and wellness sessions. Afternoon groups often focus on strategies for dealing with stress and for building resiliency, with sessions such as mediation, mindfulness training, yoga, and art therapy. All women have time for individual sessions with qualified counselors, as well.
From 3-3:30 pm, Hope on Haven Hill provides the residents with time to have what are termed “sober support phone calls” with their sponsors or supportive family members. Some have conversations with graduates who have successfully completed the Hope on Haven Hill residential program themselves.
From 3:30-4:30 pm, everyone participates in household chores and takes their turn with meal preparation for dinner. Dinner is served at 5 pm. Again, everyone is required to participate, and staff are there to encourage and role model positive dinner time conversations and ways to engage young children.
Evenings
All residents gather in the meeting room from 6-7 pm for the final group session of the evening. Often there is a guest speaker such as a former graduate, parenting educator, maternity nurse, or expert in substance use disorder treatment.
Bath time for babies, affectionally referred to as “baby tubby time”, happens nightly from 7-7:45 pm, along with story reading and bedtime for babies. At 7:45 pm, each resident reviews her goals and progress made that day with a support worker or counselor. From 8-10:30 pm the residents have free time. Pre-approved movies are available, and often the residents talk or read together. Many are in bed and asleep by 9 pm after a full day of challenging programming. Lights Out occurs at 10:30 pm. Recovery staff are on duty throughout the night.
Weekends
The staff plan organized outdoor events, nature walks, and simple activities such as cookouts or trips to a nearby park or beach for the residents on weekends. Often a birthday is celebrated or a woman graduating from the program is honored. Residents participate in recovery groups throughout the weekend, and there are 1-2 group sessions planned for each weekend day. Recovery staff are on duty throughout the weekend.