Frequently Asked Questions About Drew's Sober Living
Drew’s Sober Living operates three structured men’s recovery houses in San Antonio and New Braunfels, Texas. Below are answers to the most common questions from prospective residents, families, and referring treatment providers, organized by category. For detailed information on specific topics, links to dedicated pages are included throughout.
Drew’s Sober Living is a structured recovery residence and does not provide clinical treatment or medical services.
Daily Life & House Rules
Q: What meals are provided at Drew's?
Drew’s provides a fully stocked kitchen with groceries at every house. Residents prepare their own meals as part of building independent living skills. Cooking and cleaning responsibilities rotate among housemates on a set schedule managed by the live-in house manager. Learning to feed yourself consistently, plan meals on a budget, and share kitchen duties with other men is part of the daily structure, not an afterthought.
Q: Can residents have personal vehicles at the house?
Yes. Residents may keep personal vehicles at the property, and parking is available at all three houses: Chittim House in North San Antonio, Evergreen House in Central San Antonio, and Chapel Bend in New Braunfels. Residents are fully responsible for their own transportation, insurance, and vehicle maintenance. Having a vehicle makes it easier to meet the 30-hour weekly work requirement and attend daily 12-step meetings at locations across the city.
Q: Are cell phones and personal electronics allowed?
Yes. Residents may keep phones, laptops, and personal electronics throughout their stay. Expectations around usage are in place during house meetings, group activities, and accountability check-ins, meaning devices go away when the program requires full attention. Specific electronics guidelines for each house are covered during move-in orientation by the live-in house manager.
Q: Is smoking or vaping allowed at Drew's houses?
Smoking and vaping policies vary by property. Designated outdoor areas may apply at certain houses. Contact Drew’s directly at (682) 362-4280 for the current policy at the specific house you are considering. Indoor smoking is not permitted at any property.
Q: What is the curfew policy?
Nightly curfew is enforced at all three houses, 365 days a year. Curfew times adjust based on a resident’s time in the program and demonstrated responsibility, meaning men who consistently meet program requirements over several months may earn later curfew times. The house manager makes curfew decisions based on each resident’s track record. Specific curfew times are discussed during the admissions process.
Q: Can residents have visitors or guests?
Yes. All three houses have designated visiting hours for approved guests. Visitors must follow house guidelines, and the house manager must be informed in advance. Overnight guests are not permitted at any property. Families are encouraged to stay involved throughout their loved one’s stay, and visiting is part of how that connection continues.
Q: Are residents allowed to leave on weekends?
Residents follow the same daily structure on weekends, including daily breathalyzer testing, meeting attendance, and curfew. The program does not pause on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend passes for approved activities may be available based on program standing, length of stay, and house manager approval. The expectation is consistent accountability every day of the week.
Q: What happens during holidays?
The program runs every day of the year, including holidays. Daily breathalyzer testing, curfew, and accountability expectations remain in place. Holiday-specific scheduling, including any approved time with family, is handled on a case-by-case basis through the house manager. Men who have demonstrated consistent program compliance may be eligible for short approved absences during major holidays.
Q: Can residents have pets?
No. Pets are not permitted at any Drew’s property. This applies to all three houses regardless of the type of animal. Service animal accommodations can be discussed directly with Drew during the admissions process.
Q: What are the shared living responsibilities?
Residents share cooking, cleaning, yard work, and general house upkeep on a rotating schedule. The house manager assigns and monitors task completion. Maintaining the house is part of the accountability structure, not optional. Learning to manage shared responsibilities with other men builds the same habits needed for independent living after transitioning out of the program.
Employment & Finances
Q: What if I don't have a job when I move in?
Residents who arrive without employment are expected to begin actively searching immediately and secure work, enrollment in school, or vocational training within a reasonable timeframe. The house manager holds residents accountable for job search activity during daily check-ins. Drew’s does not operate a job placement service, but the structured schedule and housemate network often help men find opportunities quickly. The 30-hour weekly work requirement is a core pillar of the program and applies to every resident.
Q: What if I lose my job while living at Drew's?
Job loss does not result in immediate discharge. Life happens, and Drew’s recognizes that. What matters is what you do next. Residents who lose employment are expected to begin searching immediately, maintain meeting attendance and all other program requirements, and demonstrate an active effort to replace the lost income. Extended unemployment without demonstrated effort affects program standing and is addressed by the house manager directly.
Q: Can I work remotely from the house?
Yes. The $275/week king bed private room includes a desk and futon specifically designed for residents who work remotely or need a dedicated workspace. Other room types can also accommodate remote work depending on the specific house layout and availability. Remote employment counts toward the 30-hour weekly requirement the same as any other work.
Q: Does Drew's help with job placement?
Drew’s does not operate a formal job placement program. The program’s accountability structure, daily check-ins, 30-hour work requirement, and house manager oversight ensure residents are actively employed or in training. Housemates frequently share job leads, local employer contacts, and vocational resources informally. Many men who enter Drew’s without stable employment leave with a consistent work history built during their 8-month average stay.
Q: How does the financial literacy training work?
Financial literacy training is a required component of the program and applies to every resident regardless of financial background. Sessions are conducted at the house and cover practical skills: building and maintaining a monthly budget, opening and managing a bank account, understanding credit scores, rebuilding damaged credit, and developing a savings habit. Many men enter sober living with no financial foundation. This training builds one before they transition to independent living.
Q: Can I save money while in the program?
Yes, and that is a specific goal of the financial literacy component. With rates ranging from $200 to $275 per week and a 30-hour work requirement generating income, residents have a real opportunity to build savings during their stay. The average resident stays 8 months. Men who follow the financial training and maintain consistent employment often transition out of Drew’s with savings, stable income, and improved credit that did not exist when they arrived.
Recovery & Meetings
Q: Does Drew's require a specific 12-step program like AA or NA?
Drew’s requires daily 12-step meeting attendance as a core program requirement. Residents may attend AA, NA, or other recognized 12-step fellowships based on their personal recovery needs. The requirement is consistent daily engagement with a fellowship and active participation, not a specific organization. The live-in house manager tracks meeting attendance as part of the daily accountability structure outlined in our program.
Q: Do I need a sponsor before moving in?
Having a sponsor is not required at the time of admission. Residents are expected to actively seek and engage a sponsor as part of their recovery work during their stay. Sponsor engagement is monitored by the house manager during daily check-ins. Most men secure a sponsor within their first weeks through the daily meeting attendance requirement and fellowship connections built during meetings.
Q: Can I attend church or religious services?
Yes. Residents are free to attend religious services, church groups, or faith-based activities on their own time. Drew’s program is 12-step based and does not require, promote, or discourage any specific religious affiliation. Men of all backgrounds and beliefs live at Drew’s. The only spiritual requirement is engagement with a 12-step fellowship, which residents choose for themselves.
Q: What if I'm in recovery from something other than alcohol?
Drew’s serves men in recovery from alcohol and substance use across the full spectrum. The program structure applies equally regardless of the specific substance , daily breathalyzer testing and bi-weekly drug screening, daily meetings, 30-hour work requirement, and live-in accountability remain the same. Contact Drew’s to discuss individual situations during the admissions process.
Q: Can I continue seeing my therapist or counselor while living at Drew's?
Yes, and Drew’s actively encourages it. Many residents maintain outside therapy, psychiatric care, intensive outpatient programs, or individual counseling during their stay. The daily schedule accommodates outside clinical appointments. Drew’s is a structured recovery residence, not a treatment facility, and encourages every resident to maintain whatever clinical support he needs independently.
Q: Is the program faith-based?
No. Drew’s is a 12-step based structured sober living program. The 12-step framework references a higher power, but Drew’s does not require, endorse, or promote any specific faith, religion, or spiritual tradition. Residents define their own relationship with the higher power concept within their fellowship. Men of all faiths and no faith live successfully at Drew’s.
Legal & Background Situations
Q: Does Drew's accept residents with criminal backgrounds?
Drew’s conducts a background review as part of the admissions process. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Each situation is evaluated individually based on the nature of the offense, how recent it was, current recovery commitment, and whether the applicant’s presence would maintain the safety and stability of the house environment. Many men at Drew’s have criminal history and are rebuilding their lives alongside their sobriety.
Q: Can I live at Drew's while on probation or parole?
Yes. Many Drew’s residents are on active probation or parole during their stay. The program’s daily structure, daily breathalyzer testing, bi-weekly drug screening, mandatory meetings, curfew, and live-in house management often align with and exceed court-ordered requirements. Residents are fully responsible for maintaining compliance with their own legal obligations, including officer check-ins, court appearances, and any additional conditions.
Q: Will Drew's communicate with my probation officer?
Drew’s can provide written verification of residency, program enrollment, and compliance status to probation or parole officers upon request. Specific communication beyond standard verification is handled on a case-by-case basis. If your court order requires regular reporting from your sober living provider, discuss that with Drew’s during admissions so expectations are clear from day one.
Q: Can I attend court dates while living at Drew's?
Yes. Residents are expected to attend all court appearances and legal obligations without exception. The house manager works with residents to accommodate court scheduling without disrupting the rest of the daily program requirements. Missing a court date is not acceptable, and Drew’s treats legal compliance as seriously as program compliance.
Q: Can court-ordered sober living be fulfilled at Drew's?
In most cases, yes. Drew’s structured program, daily breathalyzer testing, bi-weekly drug screening, documented compliance, and live-in house management often meet or exceed court-ordered sober living requirements. Contact Drew’s directly to discuss whether the program satisfies the specific conditions of your court order before applying. Drew’s can provide documentation of program structure to attorneys or probation officers for review.
Moving In & Moving Out
Q: What should I bring on move-in day?
Personal identification, any prescribed medications, basic personal belongings, and bedding if preferred, though beds, mattresses, and furnished common areas are provided at all three houses. Two weeks of rent plus the $100 move-in fee are due at move-in. Drew’s provides a fully stocked kitchen, laundry access, and shared living spaces. Most men arrive with one or two bags. You do not need to furnish anything.
Q: What happens on my first day?
The live-in house manager conducts a full orientation covering house rules, daily schedule, testing protocol, expectations, curfew, shared responsibilities, and emergency procedures. You meet your housemates and get shown the full property. Your first breathalyzer test begins the following morning. First-day orientation sets every expectation clearly so there are no surprises in the days that follow.
Q: Can I transfer between Drew's houses?
Transfers between Chittim, Evergreen, and Chapel Bend may be possible based on bed availability and current program standing. Transfer requests are discussed with the house manager, and Drew’s directly. Reasons for transfer might include proximity to a new job, preference for a different room type, or personal fit with a different house environment. The program structure remains identical regardless of which house you live in.
Q: What is the move-out process when I transition to independent living?
Residents transitioning out of Drew’s coordinate their departure with the house manager. There is no penalty or fee for completing the program and moving on. Drew’s encourages a planned, intentional transition, meaning you leave when employment is stable, finances are managed, your support network is solid, and sobriety is demonstrated. The average resident stays 8 months. There is no fixed timeline forcing anyone out.
Q: Does Drew's provide references after I leave?
Yes. Drew’s can provide written verification of program completion, residency duration, and compliance history to employers, landlords, educational institutions, or other parties upon request from former residents. Many men use their Drew’s residency as a verifiable chapter of accountability when applying for housing or employment after transitioning out.
Q: What if I need to leave the program early for personal reasons?
Residents who need to leave for non-discharge reasons should discuss their situation with the house manager before making a final decision. Early voluntary departure does not carry the same implications as discharge for a failed or refused test. Drew’s prefers that residents leave with a plan rather than on impulse. If the reason for leaving is temporary, options may exist to accommodate the situation.
Practical Questions From Families
Q: Can I tour a Drew's house before my loved one applies?
Contact Drew’s directly at (682) 362-4280 to discuss visiting a property. Tours or in-person visits may be available depending on scheduling, current house activity, and resident privacy considerations. Drew’s welcomes families who want to see the living environment before committing. For families outside Texas, Drew’s can provide detailed information about each property by phone or email.
Q: What if my loved one wants to leave the program early?
Participation at Drew’s is voluntary. Residents can choose to leave at any time. Drew’s encourages families to stay in direct communication with the program if concerns about early departure arise. In many cases, the house manager can address the underlying issue, whether it is homesickness, program frustration, or interpersonal conflict, before it becomes a decision to leave.
Q: How do I know my loved one is actually attending meetings and working?
The live-in house manager monitors meeting attendance, employment compliance, and daily program participation in real time. He lives in the house. He sees your loved one every morning during breathalyzer testing and every evening at curfew. Families who maintain contact with Drew’s can request progress and compliance updates throughout their loved one’s stay.
Q: Can I send money or care packages to my loved one?
Yes. Residents can receive mail and packages at the house. Financial support decisions are between the family and the resident. Drew’s financial literacy training encourages residents to manage their own money independently, so families should consider whether direct financial support helps or hinders that development. Many families find that letting their loved one build financial independence within the program is one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
Q: What if I suspect my loved one is not doing well in the program?
Contact Drew’s directly at (682) 362-4280. The program’s daily testing, house manager presence, and structured accountability provide real-time visibility into every resident’s status. If something is off, missed meetings, attitude changes, or employment issues, the house manager is typically the first to notice Families are always welcome to raise concerns directly with Drew’s rather than waiting and worrying.