The Extra Mile

The Basics

Located near Tupelo, Mississippi, The Extra Mile sober living residence offers men a place to live as they continue their recovery. While The Extra Mile is located in a rural area, it’s only 13 miles from downtown Tupelo, and residents can easily find employment to become economically self-sufficient and to move towards financial independence.

Accommodations and Amenities

The Extra Mile can accommodate as many as 24 men, either in one of four apartments or seven cabins. The cabins have two bedrooms and one bathroom and are equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. All linens are provided. Other amenities include cable TV and central air conditioning. The living rooms are furnished with ottomans, club chairs, fireplaces and a TV. The apartments are either two bedrooms and one bath or one bedroom with a bath, and the amenities are the same as in the cabins.

There is a club house on the premises where residents and staff gather for activities, fellowship and 12-step meetings. It is equipped with computers with Internet access so the men can apply for jobs and work on grants if they have decided to go to college.

Rules and Regulations

Residents are required to first complete at least 30 days of inpatient substance abuse treatment before transitioning to The Extra Mile. They typically live in the house for at least six months, though they can reside there for as long as two years.

The Extra Mile’s sober living program is divided into three phases. In Phase I, residents remain on the premises 24/7 for 30 days. During this time, they are supposed to find an AA/NA sponsor, attend four or five meetings, work on the steps, start their job searches and participate in individual and group therapy. Individual and group sessions are required every week.

As residents move into Phase II, which extends from the second through the fifth month, they continue all activities they started in the first phase. In addition, they begin to develop both short- and long-term goals with the assistance of program counselors. They also begin to mentor newcomers to The Extra Mile. In Phase III, residents continue all previous activities but also begin to carry out plans to meet the goals they have set.

The owner/program director administers random and regular drug testing of residents. If a resident tests positive for any substances, he is immediately discharged.

Each resident is expected to continue attending four to five 12-step meetings weekly. They are also required to attend and participate in house meetings once a week.

All residents are required to find jobs or go back to school, and staff assist in job searches and filling out school applications. When guest speakers visit and sober socials are held, the men are required to attend and participate.

There is a mandatory meditation group every morning at 9 am in the club house. A Sunday morning service (at a church of the client’s choosing) is also mandatory.

All residents are expected to keep their cabin or apartment neat and organized. In addition, they are collectively responsible for upkeep of the grounds. They also assist with minor repairs to equipment or buildings as needed.

The Extra Mile has several “zero tolerance” rules, including: no sexual activity, violence, substance or alcohol use, stealing, possession of weapons, or threats. If any resident violates any one of these rules, they are discharged immediately.

Residents who don’t yet have employment are required to apply for food stamps within the first 30 days. If they find a job within the first 30 days, they are expected to discontinue their use of the food stamp program and be financially self-sufficient. Staff assist each resident with their budgeting and paying their bills, with whatever is left over given to the resident to buy food and for personal expenses. By the time a resident is ready to move out of The Extra Mile, he should have sufficient funds saved up so he can comfortably rent a place of his own.

Extras

Most of the program staff have spent years in recovery, so they understand the struggles residents experience. The owner/program director holds several certifications, including CADC. The program therapist has an LPC and a CADC license.

All program staff members work as volunteers for The Extra Mile. None of them receive a salary, which helps to keep program costs down. Incoming residents pay a $1,500 admission fee, which covers drug testing and therapy costs.

In Summary

With its three phases of recovery, The Extra Mile moves residents toward sober living at a steady pace that increases independence and responsibilities over time. By the end of Phase III, residents are not only moving toward short- and long-term goals but also mentor newcomers to the house. The ambiance at The Extra Mile is rustic and rural, but the program is professional and thoughtful, and the qualified staff helps residents go, well, the extra mile.

The Extra Mile
720 Oak Grove Rd
Mantachie, MS 38855

The Extra Mile Cost: $395 (30 days, plus admission fee). Reach The Extra Mile by phone at (662) 397-2854.

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