The phase system is designed to help clients move through treatment by creating assignments that are unique to each phase and incentives to finish each phase. Each phase has a specific set of assignments, expectations, and privileges. The assignments are closely tied to the step work that clients will be completing with their sponsor and are a tool for clients to utilize in their recovery. Although some clients are used to having more freedom prior to coming to Sustain, we have found that the transition can be difficult and clients benefit from increased supervision. The goal of the phase system is to help clients develop personal responsibility and adjust to the increased freedoms.
Phase 1 – Honesty
During this phase, clients are adjusting to life at Sustain Recovery. They are learning the rules, structure, and expectations of the program. Clients begin working with their Recovery Counselor and taking an honest look at how substance use has negatively impacted their life. Clients are being challenged to break the denial they have been living in and to begin taking accountability for their actions.
Client expectations include obtaining a sponsor, daily sponsor phone calls, and meeting with their sponsor once per week to complete step 1 and maintaining school responsibilities.
Phase privileges include family visits on premises, daily phone calls, and fellowship events in the sobriety community.
Phase 2 – Hope
At this point, clients are well adjusted to the daily expectations of Sustain Recovery and have demonstrated their ability to follow the structure of the program. They have been open and honest about their substance issues and are beginning to build a network of sober peers. The assignments in phase 2 will help clients explore their spiritual life and implement it into their recovery.
Client expectations include maintaining appropriate behavior, daily sponsor phone calls and weekly meetings, developing friendships with peers in the sober community, and developing leadership skills and maintaining school responsibilities. Clients will complete steps 2-3 during this phase with their twelve-step sponsor.
Phase privileges include the ability to attend alumni meetings at their prior treatment center, family day passes, weekly sponsor pass, and use of their telephone for texting and calling.
Phase 3 – Faith
Clients in phase 3 are working hard in their recovery and demonstrating leadership skills amongst their peers. This is the final stage before returning home. They are able to take accountability for their misdeeds and to hold others accountable. Clients have built a strong sober network and are learning that being in sobriety can be fun and have benefits.
Assignments continue to build off the step work they are completing with their twelve-step sponsors. Ideally, clients will complete their 4th step and move on to steps 5-9.
Client expectations include continuing to develop sober friends, continuing to demonstrate appropriate behavior, maintaining healthy sponsor relationship, and demonstrating their ability for discharge home and maintaining school responsibilities.
Phase privileges include overnight passes (when possible), social media, internet access, weekly sponsor pass, two weekly fellowship passes, and less staff supervision.
