House Rules
House of Mercy desires to aid those in their recovery journey by providing a fresh start in a clean, safe, and healthy lifestyle in a sober environment as they overcome their addiction and transition to a normal way of life. The following rules and guidelines are in place to support and ensure a safe and healthy environment to live in.
Sober House Rules and Guidelines
Sobriety takes hard work and a commitment to change. The community and staff of House of Mercy are here to provide. The sober house staff and community are here to provide needed guidance and support. The following rules and guidelines are in place to support and ensure a safe and healthy environment to live in.
Drug Use
The use of any drugs, alcohol or inhalants is strictly forbidden. This includes the misuse of prescription medication. Use of any kind may result in immediate termination from this sober house. In the case of suspected use, a UA or breathalyzer will be administered.
Property
House of Mercy is not responsible for any loss of your personal property. We are also not responsible for any damage to your personal property. Personal safes are installed in each room for you to use to secure any items of value or that you deem important. All medications are to be locked in your safe at all times. You will be held financially responsible for any damage to your room or House of Mercy property that occurs as a result of your negligence or inappropriate behavior. Intentional destruction of the property is grounds for immediate termination. Law enforcement will be contacted if necessary.
Theft
Residents are not allowed in another residence room. You may not borrow or use another residence property without that resident physically giving you that property. Theft will not be tolerated and confirmed theft is the grounds for immediate termination.
Abuse/Physical Violence/ Incidents
Verbal or physical abuse of any resident or staff is strictly prohibited. Violence or threats of violence is also prohibited, any violations of this rule are grounds for immediate termination from the program. Residents will immediately notify staff of any incident that occurs between you and another resident this will include a full accounting of the incident in writing. Failure to do so can result in termination from the program. Law enforcement will be contacted to remove you from the premises if necessary.
Pets
House of Mercy does not allow pets of any kind.
Non-Treatment Activities
If you are attending school, volunteering and/or working part time you are required to provide verification of these activities. Singularly or in combination they must total at least 32 hours a week.
House Supplies
You are responsible for providing your own food and personal items. You may be able to move in additional furniture with the pre-approval of the sober housing manager since your room is fully furnished. There is a $20 community fee every month to assist with the provided supplies. This fee is due on the 1st of the month in addition to your program fee. This fund will cover dish soap, hand soap coffee creamer, cooking oil, and spices. During your community house meetings, you can discuss buying additional items with the house fund.
12-Step Group Meetings
House of Mercy requires you to attend at least three 12 step meetings per week. These meetings must be appropriate to your addiction. You must also obtain a sponsor within 30 days of admittance to House of Healing. You must also provide proof of attendance and active participation in your meetings.
Community House Meetings
All residents are required to attend the weekly house meeting. Residents must be on time, and they are not allowed to leave early unless pre-approved by sober house staff. House manager must also approve any absences from these groups. No visitors are allowed during house meetings.
House Guests, Children, Visitors
Visiting hours are Monday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. No visitors are allowed in your bedroom and are only allowed in the common areas of the house. All guests must comply with established sober house rules. House manager reserves the right to disallow or ask your visitors to leave for any reason.
Controlled Medications
If you are on a controlled medication, you must provide documentation from the prescribing physician to the sober housing staff as it needs to be kept in your file. As previously stated, all medication must be kept in your safe. If you use sharps all new syringes must be kept in your safe. An approved sharps container must be used for the disposal of used syringes. Adverse reactions to medications must be reported to your physician immediately and or to poison control. Sharing or giving medication to another resident is grounds for immediate termination.
Community/Gambling
We value the positive influence you have on one another at House of Mercy as you are important models of early sobriety in this housing community. If it is determined that you're jeopardizing another residence’s sobriety, physical or emotional well-being you may be terminated from House of Mercy. We also prohibit gambling of any kind on the premises.
Keeping your room clean and in order
If your living space is not kept clean, orderly, and personal hygiene becomes a health or safety issue, House of Mercy reserves the right to take necessary actions such as discussions contracts or dismissal from the program. We encourage you to live comfortably in your room. To support you in maintaining a clean and healthy living environment, rooms will be randomly searched and monitored by the sober housing staff on a regular basis. A warning system will be used if your room and or common area are disorderly and not clean. You are responsible for each and every item in your room.
Transition to next step
House of Mercy was created to help heal your mind and body and to help you bridge the gap between treatment and independent living. To that end you must honor your commitment. In order for you to receive a refund of your program deposit you must give a 30-day written notice and have completed a minimum of 120 days as stated in your residency agreement so that you may have time to complete any unfinished tasks and or obligations to House of healing and allow applicants on our waiting list to make plans for admission.
Curfew
House of Mercy requires that all residents be in the house by 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, you must be in by midnight. This does not apply to those that are working full-time or part-time jobs. The house manager will conduct random curfew checks.
Family time/Overnight passes
House of Mercy recognizes the importance of rebuilding families, lives, and relationships. However no overnight passes will be approved for the first 30 days in sober housing. You must get approval prior to your departure. You must notify the housing manager upon your return, and you may be asked to comply with a drug test upon return from pass. This is a safety issue for yourself and your fellow residents. Passes for residents will be issued on an individual basis.
Contract
There will be times when it is necessary for the House of Mercy to impose an intervention contract to better support a resident’s needs. The house is run by community support. As such, the peer community may intervene on issues concerning the house. These items too may be added to your contract. Withholding information may jeopardize your own recovery and potentially your placement in House of Mercy. If you know that someone is putting his own recovery at risk or the recovery of others at risk, you must report this to staff immediately. Together we must all protect the structure and integrity of the housing community and ensure a safe place for all to live.
Mental Health
House of Mercy is aware that some residents come in with a dual diagnosis for drugs and mental health. If at any time your mental health becomes unstable you are acknowledging that the staff of the House of Mercy is not equipped to offer that level of care in our sober house. If at any time your mental health becomes an issue, the House of Mercy will take steps to assist you in finding the proper level of care but you may be directed to leave the premises if your mental health affects the safety and continuity of the house.