Van’s House

The Basics

Van’s House provides gender-specific sober living homes for men and women in Enid, Oklahoma. Located just north of Oklahoma City, both houses offer an opportunity for residents to fully participate in their recovery and become motivated to return to the community. All house members become a part of the “Spiritual Therapeutic Community” at Van’s House.

Accommodations and Amenities

Two homes make up the Van’s House system; a two-story men’s home and a single-story women’s home. Together, both homes hold a maximum of 33 individuals, with the men’s house accommodating up to 27 and the women’s house providing space for six.

Accommodations in the men’s house shift regularly due to residents arriving and graduating, but typically six of the seven bedrooms are shared between four and five men with one room reserved for the resident manager. Some rooms are furnished with bunk beds and others twin beds. Each bedroom has a large closet and multiple dressers shared between roommates. There are five bathrooms, all with showers and towels are provided.

The lower level of the men’s house has a large living room that doubles as a meeting space for both houses. Afternoon 12-step meetings are also open to the public and the house provides folding chairs to accommodate community members. The kitchen has two refrigerators and ample cupboard space for food storage.  An on-site washer and dryer are available as well as a landline for residents to use.

The smaller women’s house is located in close proximity to the men’s house. Accommodating up to six residents, there are three double-occupancy bedrooms and a fourth for the in-house manager. Women sleep in full-sized beds and share good sized closets. Extra dressers are available if needed. There are three shared bathrooms with showers and one bathtub, storage space is available under the sinks and towels are provided.

The women’s living room has couches, a TV and a fireplace for group socializing. A house phone is also available for use, though no cell phones are permitted. The kitchen comes equipped with all needed appliances and utensils for cooking and preparing meals. There is also a spacious backyard shade for residents to enjoy as weather permits.

Rules and Regulations

Prior to being accepted, all potential clients must complete either an in-person or phone interview with the founders. They are informed of the rules and expectations of the house and must display a willingness to maintain their sobriety. All new house members begin in a six-week track similar to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) during which they work the first three steps of AA and write a personal biography. Men and women must attend group therapy sessions at the men’s house with Van’s House owners—all CADCs. The six week treatment track includes a relapse prevention unit.

All clients are expected to participate in the “Spiritual Therapeutic Community” which makes all house decisions using a democratic vote. Attendance is mandatory at house meetings on Sundays and Tuesdays at 6:25 pm, where residents resolve outstanding issues and bring to light any concerns. They are also required to attend daily 12-step meetings and actively work with a sponsor. Depending on work or school obligations, residents are also expected to attend an in-house 12-step meeting. The choices include a daily open AA meeting at 12 pm and a nightly at 7 pm. Residents must also attend a 6:30 am meditation weekdays and a 9 am meditation weekends.

Clients must work, volunteer or enroll in school. They also have to complete assigned chores and maintenance tasks which are equally distributed. During the week, residents must be home by 10:30 pm and in bed by 11 pm. On weekends, all residents must be home by 11:30 and in bed by midnight.

Van’s House has a zero tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use and possession. Both are grounds for immediate eviction. If a resident relapses and wishes to come back, they must attend daily meetings for 30 days and remain in contact with the staff. Cellphones and electronic devices are not permitted. Vehicles are allowed on a case by case basis and only for transportation to and from work, meeting, volunteer or school obligations.

Extras

For those who need help writing resumes, preparing for job interviews or applying for school, assistance is provided by owners and managers. The men’s house has a room with exercise equipment for house members to maintain their fitness.

In Summary

Van’s House provides a place for men and women to become a part of a supportive sober community in early recovery. Applying a therapeutic component in tandem with 12-step work, house members work through the issues that contributed to their substance abuse. Though Van’s wouldn’t be a good fit for those opposed to the 12 steps, the strict regimen is ideal for individuals at risk of relapse.

Van’s House
701 W. Maine
Enid, OK 73701

Van’s House cost: $450 (30 days). Reach Van’s House by phone at (580) 233-6070 or by email at sdvankrevelen@yahoo.com. Find Van’s House on Facebook

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