Phase 1 begins as the individual settles into their residence at The GateHouse after detox or rehab. Upon arrival, a daily schedule is created that includes individual and peer group counseling sessions, recreational activities, health and nutrition education, life skills, and spirituality lectures. During this initial phase, residents work to establish a relationship with their counselor, and together, they develop personal goals that will help guide treatment during this phase.

Following an initial 72-hour blackout period, privileges include:

• Use of house phone
• Pass approval to attend 12-step support meetings
• Onsite visitation eligibility
• 12-step meeting attendance with staff
• Permission to walk to designated local shopping stores during designated times, with senior peers or staff
• Pass approval to go to meetings, court hearings, child visits, and emergent doctor appointments with recovery support
• Early job search eligibility, with completed early job search form and clinical approval.

Upon successful completion of Phase 1, clients may enjoy expanded privileges, including:

• Eligibility for two 12-hour weekend passes
• Permission to attend meetings with sponsor/12-step support during house-scheduled meeting times without submitting passes
• Pass approval to go out with sponsor/12-step support for coffee, meals, other activities, or meetings during unscheduled house meeting times
• Ability to seek employment and begin working
• Permission to leave thouse during the week to attend work, job-search and meetings, without staff or peers
• Pass approval to go to meetings, court hearings, child visits, and emergent doctor appointments with recovery support
• Eligibility for cell phone between the hours of morning medication time until 10:30pm, after submitting signed cell phone policy

During this last phase of Residential Extended Care treatment, our recovery specialists work with each client to plan for their future in the community. Applying the life and vocational skills gained in Phase 2, we assist each person in developing a discharge plan that incorporates relapse prevention skills, budgeting, housing, outpatient services, and support networks that are critical to long-term success.

Upon completion of on-site residential treatment, many residents move to one of our GateHouse Transitional Living homes in the Lancaster community, where they can benefit from continued support as they prepare to transition to independent living. 

Upon successful completion of Phase 2, clients may enjoy further expanded privileges, including:

• Eligibility for two open weekend 23-hour or off-site passes
• Increased independence regarding housing search and contact with sponsor/12-step support
• Use of sign out logbook for daily coming/going. Passes must be submitted for 23-hour overnight visits and any permission to attend recovery related activities
• Eligibility to have cell phone full-time with independent responsibility to follow phone rules the same as the house
• Eligibility to have a car used on the property for work and meetings, after submitting a signed transportation policy
• Pass approval to go to meetings, court hearings, child visits, and emergent doctor appointments with recovery support
• Closed/open weekend pass approval for leaving the facility for non-house scheduled meetings, shopping, and any other activity.