Our Approach to Structure

At DB House, rules aren’t about control – they’re about creating an environment where recovery can thrive. Every guideline exists to protect the safety, serenity, and success of all residents. These rules have been developed through years of experience and reflect the standards needed for a healthy recovery community.

Core Principles

We believe that lasting recovery requires more than abstinence – it requires transformation. Our approach combines:

Abstinence

Complete sobriety from alcohol and drugs

Compassionate Leadership

Guidance from those who've walked the path

Honesty

Truth in all interactions and communications

Respect

For yourself, others, and the property

Responsibility

For your recovery, obligations, and actions

Responsibility

For your recovery, obligations, and actions

Zero-Tolerance Policies

Alcohol & Drug Use:

Consumption or possession of alcohol in any form
Use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs
Abuse of prescription medications
Attempting to circumvent or cheat drug tests
Refusing to submit to requested drug/alcohol screening

Safety & Security:

Dishonesty:

Upon eviction for these violations, you have 20 minutes to collect your belongings and must leave immediately. You may not return without explicit permission from DB House management. Items left behind will be held for 7 days, then discarded.

Recovery Requirements

12-Step Participation:

Minimum: 3 meetings per week (daily attendance strongly recommended)

Acceptable attendance: Arrive before opening prayer, stay through closing prayer

Home Group: Establish and maintain regular attendance

Service Work: Participate in service commitments within your fellowship

Gender-Specific Meetings: Men with men, women with women

Employment Requirements:

Daily Living Guidelines

Curfew:

New Residents (Phase 1): 10:00 PM Sunday-Thursday, 12:00 AM Friday-Saturday

Phase 2+: 11:00 PM Sunday-Thursday, 1:00 AM Friday-Saturday

Exceptions: Returning from 12-step meetings (with Phase 1+ resident)

Stricter Requirements: Parole/probation curfews supersede house curfews

Late Return: First offense extends restrictions; second offense results in eviction

Quiet Hours:

Guests & Visitors:

Overnight guests: Strictly prohibited

Day guests: Must leave by your curfew time

Guest behavior: No guests under the influence or in possession of substances

Opposite gender: No dating or visitation between male/female houses without management permission

New residents: No guests during blackout period

Bedroom & Common Areas:

Keep your bedroom clean, organized, and bed made daily
No entering others' bedrooms without permission and accompaniment
No sleeping in common areas
No locking bedroom doors (mandatory rule)
Thermostat adjustments by house manager or senior resident only
Turn off lights, electronics when not in use
Keep all exterior doors locked

Kitchen & Appliances:

Shared Responsibility: Clean immediately after use

Refrigerator: Label all food with name and date

Dishes & Utensils: Wash and return to proper location

Appliances: Return to clean condition after each use

Laundry:

Smoking

Chores & House Maintenance

Daily Chores:

Assigned by Chore Coordinator

Must be completed daily

Failure to complete results in fines

All residents participate equally

General Cleanliness:

Weekly House Meetings:

Attendance: Mandatory for all residents

Schedule: Set by DB House management

Priority: No work, meetings, or personal obligations may conflict

Unexcused Absence: Results in restriction or possible termination

New Resident Blackout Period

Duration: Minimum 15 daysEvery new resident must successfully complete the blackout period, demonstrating commitment to recovery and house rules.

Requirements During Blackout:

Attend 12-step meeting daily (minimum 3/week)
Obtain and work with a sponsor
Establish and attend a home group
Complete a service commitment
Strict curfew: 10:00 PM Sun-Thurs, 12:00 AM Fri-Sat
Evening meetings only with Phase 1+ resident accompaniment
No guests in the house
Obtain employment within 2 weeks
Satisfy all financial obligations
Complete all assigned chores and responsibilities
Demonstrate knowledge of house rules
Maintain sobriety and pass all drug tests

Phase Advancement: After successfully completing minimum 15 days and meeting all requirements, residents in good standing are reviewed for Phase 1 status. 

Extended Blackout: Violating any condition automatically extends your blackout period. Serious violations may result in eviction.

Restriction Policy

Residents who are off blackout but violate house rules will be placed on Restriction, which requires following all new resident blackout guidelines for a specified period.

Common Restriction Reasons:

Accountability & Consequences

Progressive Discipline: Some violations receive warnings before escalation, while others result in immediate consequences.

Appeals: If you believe a consequence was unjustly applied, you may appeal to DB House management within 24 hours.  

Documentation: All violations, restrictions, and consequences are documented. Repeated violations result in escalated consequences, including eviction.

Personal Property & Liability

Residents who are off blackout but violate house rules will be placed on Restriction, which requires following all new resident blackout guidelines for a specified period.