Riverside Manor Sober Living

The Basics

Founded in 2001 in Riverside, California by Suzan Taylor, Riverside Manor Sober Living offers a safe and structured home for men and women in early recovery. Taylor, who has been clean and sober for over 12 years, is a registered addiction specialist, as well as a Bachelor’s-level CSAC. Taylor believes that a co-ed sober living home is beneficial for the clients. She finds that residents exhibit better behavior when they are around the opposite gender. Taylor lived on the premises until three years ago, when Charles Moreno, the present house manager, took over. She credits Moreno with being a superb house manager, one who cares about clients, works with them on an individual basis, but also makes sure that the rules and requirements are followed, so that the entire household is safe.

Accommodations and Amenities

Riverside Manor is a quaint white-shingled Cape Cod-style house with an old-fashioned style front porch. Riverside Manor includes a separate guest house in the backyard. There is a pool and a paved garden full of cherub statues, colorful potted plants and a birdbath. The front house, which was newly renovated, accommodates 16 men. There are ten bedrooms, and most rooms are doubles or singles, with the exception of one room, which houses four men. Furnishings mainly include twin beds, dressers and closets. There are a few rooms with bunk-beds, but the rooms are spacious. All of the bedrooms include heaters, air conditioners and cable TVs. Taylor believes that quality housing helps clients feel better about themselves, and life in general. The back house accommodates six women, who are paired in furnished double occupancy rooms.

Each house has its own fully equipped kitchen. While clients are responsible for their own groceries, there is a shelf that is stocked with food items. Additionally, most residents are eligible for food stamps, which helps with the purchase of groceries. Amenities include the swimming pool, fireplace, exercise equipment, washing machine, dryer, Wi-Fi, three house computers, a big screen TV, a landline with free long distance, cable with all the movie channels, utilities and no deposit is required at the time of admittance.

Moreno, the residing house manager, has been clean and sober for over three years. He believes that the key to recovery is one addict helping another. When he senses that a client is lagging or isolating, he talks to them on an individual basis, without pointing a finger. He believes in boosting the self-esteem of residents, as opposed to providing negative criticism.

Rules and Regulations

Typically, clients have to successfully pass a urine drug test, plus have undergone detox. Sometimes Taylor has admitted clients with marijuana still inside their system, but she has them tested after two weeks to ensure that they are clean. While she does her best to benefit a client, she is adamant about maintaining an alcohol and drug free environment.

Requirements include being at the Tuesday night house meeting, and attending three outside 12-step meetings. Some clients attend church or go to Celebrate Recovery.  At Riverside Manor, there is the belief that one size does not fit all. Those opting for alternatives to the traditional 12-step meetings are encouraged to find the recovery protocol that works best for them, as long as they stay clean and sober. Residents are encouraged to find work, go to school, volunteer or attend transitional care. Outpatient referrals are provided if necessary. Clients are expected to perform household chores, which are assigned on a rotating basis.

Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Residents without jobs who relapse are usually referred to a detox facility. Clients who are caught drinking or using, but still have their jobs have to leave the house for three days. Upon return, they must attend an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The curfew is 10 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend passes are permitted, after a month, at Moreno’s discretion.

Extras

There is always at least one dog in the house, rescued from the local, high-kill Riverside Animal Shelter. Usually, one resident, upon discharge, takes the dog and provides it with a loving home. Sometimes clients need to bring their dog, along, and Taylor allows this. There is a one-dog limit for the entire household.

Additionally, Taylor recently acquired a passenger van to provide transportation for clients. They often go out as a group, to meetings, the store, fishing excursions, to comedy shows or the beach. Hanging out together as a group promotes a sense of camaraderie.

In Summary

With Taylor at the helm, along with her house manager, Moreno, this beautiful home provides men and women with affordable, top-notch sober living. With quality in mind, and personable individualized attention, clients are able to find serenity, as well as the much -needed structure, which is important for them to rebuild their lives. Taylor also works closely with probation, and parole, and admits criminal justice clients who are willing to go to any length to stay clean and sober, while learning to become productive members of society. At Riverside Manor, people get a second chance.

Riverside Manor Sober Living
3873 Locust St
Riverside, CA 92501

Riverside Manor Sober Living Cost: $480 (30 days). Reach Riverside Manor Sober Living by phone at (951) 235-9897 or by email at Suzansuz4sure@yahoo.com. Find Riverside Manor Sober Living on YouTube, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter

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