Transitional housing for recovering addicts coming to Carson City

It’s long been established that addiction is a disease, one that can be overcome with treatment. Carson City’s courts, through options such as alternative sentencing, drug court, and the most recent addition of misdemeanor treatment court, has taken steps to combat addiction.

However, there is a hole in their treatment process, and a large one at that: safe, sober housing.

While some offenders charged with drug-related crimes may have family members who are willing to take them in during their recovery, or are economically stable enough to afford rehabilitation centers, for those who aren’t able to seek out safe and sober living, relapse incidences are high.

Carson City Justice of the Peace Judge Tom Armstrong has made it his mission to help addicts recover and stay sober.

“A big part of treatment is oftentimes changing their lifestyle, and how and where you live is a big part of that,” said Judge Armstrong. “When a person comes out of a residential 30-day treatment program, transitioning back into society is a very crucial point in their sobriety. There is a high risk for relapse, particularly if that person is surrounded by people who may be using drugs or engaging in criminal behavior. The expectation to stay clean and sober while going back into the same circumstances they were in while using usually isn’t possible.”

Judge Armstrong began with the first step of Misdemeanor Treatment Court, which is similar to drug court; however, drug court is only available to those facing felony charges. Judge Armstrong wanted to make court-appointed treatment available to those struggling with addictions before they ended up facing higher felony charges.

The program is a year long for those that complete a “perfect” program, meaning there is no relapse or other crimes committed. Participants go through intensive counseling, must attend meetings, undergo random drug and alcohol screenings, and essentially spend a year of their life focusing on their recovery as top-priority.

However, Judge Armstrong points out, that without one the basic needs every person must have in the form of safe housing, focusing on treatment is simply not possible.

“In Carson City, we don’t have many options for transitional housing. We have in-patient residential treatment programs, but as far as sober-living housing, there aren’t many options, which leaves a need for people trying to stay clean after leaving rehab.”

Carson City has recently received a grant as discussed at their last Board of Supervisor’s meeting, and they sought out the courts to make the dream of transitional housing a reality.

“It’s been one of my projects for a long time. We’ve been seeing a need for transitional housing in Carson forever, and we want a program like that here, particularly for the people involved in my treatment court, but also for anybody who needs it,” said Judge Armstrong. “And now, because of the city, it looks like we may have some funding for it. I am so grateful and appreciative of the city for stepping up to help make this a reality.”

The purpose of the program isn’t to provide long-term housing, but rather a bridge between in-patient rehabilitation treatment, and sustainable independent living, aimed toward those who are high-risk and high-need.

In Reno, there are several different sober-living options, but in Carson City, there aren’t any non-private programs. Reno has been successful in implementing their programs, and Judge Armstrong believes that success could be mirrored in Carson City.

They are currently discussing a contract with LYFE Recovery, a sober-living group home in Carson City in which the court has placed a few people before. Through the contract, it would potentially have beds ready and available for those that need to be placed.

There are options currently in Carson City including FISH and warming shelters that the courts can place people in which are drug and alcohol free, but the issue is that there are a very limited number of beds, and they are generally first come first serve. A bed in a sober-living shelter cannot be reserved ahead of time, leaving some in need both literally and figuratively out in the cold.

With the contract between the courts, the city, and LYFE recovery, this would give a certain number of beds to the courts for placement of those in need.

According to LYFE Recovery’s website, they describe themselves as: “a well managed sober home where we facilitate your recovery by connecting you with outpatient treatment, 12-Step Meetings, life and recovery coaching services and skills planning and various other treatment services.”

This isn’t to say LYFE Recovery would become the only option for the court’s, however. Judge Armstrong envisions a future in which other non-profits or even private establishments see the success in the program and decide to open up more transitional, sober-living housing they could then partner with the courts on.

At this time, Judge Armstrong is hoping to acquire approximately ten beds through the grant, which would fund the program for three years. Five beds for women, five beds for men.

“Sometimes we need two beds for placements, sometimes we need many more,” said Judge Armstrong. “In a perfect world, we would have all we need, but for now, ten would be incredibly helpful to aid in recovery.”