Our Program

At Eau Claire Sober Living (ECSL) we provide more than just a sober place to live, we provide a sober-living community. We support our residents in their own active programs of recovery and through access to a wide variety of programming:

  • Weekly meetings with a designated Peer Support Specialist

  • Trauma-Informed therapy

  • Weekly time management/scheduling planning

  • Structured daily routines

  • Weekly “Family Night” activities, including breathwork, ice baths, nutritious meal planning and cooking, music, yoga, exploring spirituality, exercise, 12-step studies, and more

  • Medication oversight if needed

  • Weekly House meetings

  • Random drug/alcohol screening

  • Weekly sobriety support group to build sober skills

  • Financial Literacy & Well-Being courses, workshops, and 1:1 counselling

ECSL requires that our residents attend a minimum of three weekly sober-support meetings such as AA, Smart Recovery, NA, or another program of their choice. Further, it is required that our residents meet weekly with their recovery sponsor, follow all of the recommendations of counselors, and maintain their after-care plan. It is also required that our residents be active in the community by participating in at least one of the following; an intensive outpatient program, securing and maintaining employment, attending school, or having a service commitment outside of the home at least 25 hours per week.

ECSL requires a minimum stay of ninety (90) days but strongly suggests a stay of between three and six months or more, as studies have shown that a longer stay supports a more successful long-term recovery.  We do encourage our residents to stay as long as needed to ensure a solid platform of recovery.

Client Testimonial

“I have a year clean today and so many things to be grateful for and EC Sober Living is one of them. I know that without the EC sober house I would probably not be alive today. I really was at the bitter end. At the age of 62, before I came to the house I had nothing left in my life to live for. I can say my mind was so far gone from the drugs that I was ready to give up on myself. Thank you for believing in me and the love you shared with me and the other women at the house, you are truly amazing.”


Programming makes all the difference…

We are committed to meeting our clients where they are on the road to recovery. With the knowledge that not everyone arrives with the same life experiences and social capital, we strive to imbed a wide variety of vital topics into our programming including:

  • Life skills: structure, time management, accountability, rest and play

  • Spiritual Support: Many people who struggle with addiction have abandoned their spirituality due to the shame and unworthiness they feel. We help people to connect back to their higher power in whatever way suits them. We honor all religious and spiritual paths.

  • Rebuilding Relationships: We teach healthy communication skills which are new to many in recovery. Learning to ask for what we need in a kind and compassionate way can be challenging due to the level of emotional dysregulation that comes with addiction and mental health issues. Often people won't speak their needs or can be overly aggressive in their expression.

  • Reconnecting mothers and fathers with their children: Many of our moms and dads no longer have placement or custody of their children due to their substance misuse. We work with Child Protective Services, social workers and foster care to reconnect parents and their children in a safe and healthy environment. Moms and dads are allowed to have children visit them at the houses and stay overnight when possible.

  • Emotional Regulation: Learning how to manage our emotions and manage our nervous systems through a variety of techniques. We educate on emotional triggers, how to manage cravings, and how to build emotional resilience. We do lectures as well as actual practices. (ice bath, breath work, exercise, journaling, art and music)

  • Movement as medicine: Exercise is the most underutilized anti-depressant and anti-anxiety management system. Movement increases the happiness hormones: serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. Exercise is a prophylactic for anxiety and reduces stress levels. We offer Yoga, Nia, and Sober Strong for recovering women, which includes free YMCA free memberships!


Program FAQs

  • All furnishings, cleaning supplies and housewares are provided, as are free laundry facilities. You will be responsible for your own groceries, as you do your own cooking. You will need bedding for a twin bed (sheets, blankets, pillows), towels, and personal care items. You are able to have personal laptops and cell phones, but we ask that you use them in common areas and not alone in your room regularly. Please do not bring any furniture. If you have questions just ask!

  • Yes there is both off street parking and on street parking available. Guests are required to maintain insurance, registration, and the guest must have a valid driver’s license.

  • Overnights are typically allowed two weeks after moving into the house and must always be pre-approved by staff. We also ask that if a resident is gone longer than one night, that they check in with their house managers daily, and submit to drug testing upon returning.

  • Visitors are allowed in the common areas only, no access to bedrooms for privacy and security reasons.

  • We welcome a variety of ages in the house from 18 to 80 and at all different points in the recovery process. We believe, that our guest across all ages and all stages of recovery have something to offer each other. We encourage our guests to build community by doing things together.