Sober Living House Agreement

This Sober Living House Agreement is the contract between each resident and Oasis Recovery, LLC ("Oasis"). Every resident reviews and signs this agreement at intake. This page is provided so prospective residents and their families can review the agreement before applying.

I have made the personal choice to live in a Recovery Residence provided by Oasis Recovery Cooperative Sober Living ("Oasis"). I am seeking this type of housing so I may become a sober, productive member of the community. I understand that this housing is designed to promote and support healthy recovery, therefore:

Program Terms

a. I understand that living in an Oasis Sober Living House provides me with a safe, sober home environment, free from drugs and alcohol. I will be provided with recovery support and guidance that may come from peers. Pursuant to New Jersey law, I will not be provided with any on-site counseling, therapy, clinical treatment, or alcohol and/or drug treatment by Oasis but will need to obtain those services from an outside provider.

b. I understand that there are many pathways to recovery and that I will receive support in the pathway of my choosing, as long as it is positive and supports a transition to long-term recovery. I cannot gain admission to the Oasis Sober Living House unless I am committed to sobriety and willing to participate in the house program, as well as maintenance of the house through assigned chores.

c. I understand that upholding my promises and obligations is an important part of my recovery and preparation to re-enter society as a sober, productive member of the community. By choosing to live in an Oasis Sober Living House, I am obligated to abide by and uphold this Agreement. This includes following all of the rules of the house, paying weekly rent, actively seeking out and participating in programs, meetings, therapy, or other recovery support services, and striving for overall health and wellness.

Rent and Fees

d. My rent payments are due before 8:00 PM every Friday, as set forth more fully in the handbook.

1. Failure to pay rent and any other fees when due may result in a loss of privileges, including a reduction of the phase I am currently in or expulsion from the house.
2. There is no refund for any rent payment made, even if I am removed from the house for any reason.
3. If my rent is 48 hours late with no communication, or I have not been heard from, I may be immediately terminated from the house for failure to abide by the house rules.

Sobriety and Screening

e. I will maintain a legal, drug-free lifestyle and will comply with my personal plan of recovery. If there is concern that I am not maintaining a legal, drug-free lifestyle, my residency is subject to review and I may be removed from the house.

i. I will submit to random drug testing as requested by the Oasis house manager or Operations Director. Refusal to do so will be interpreted as an admission of guilt and/or relapse and treated as such.

j. I will not bring any alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or controlled substances onto the premises, nor will I have them in my possession while off the premises. I will not use alcohol or illegal drugs on or off the premises during my residency. Illegal drugs include any misuse of prescription drugs or prescription drugs that were not prescribed to me.

Meetings and Recovery Participation

f. I will attend house meetings and participate in 12-Step recovery meetings or other similar types of meetings approved by the house manager or Operations Director.

u. I will attend all house meetings. These meetings are mandatory and my attendance is crucial for the Oasis sober house to function as intended.

Conduct and Respect

g. I will be respectful of other residents and their property — I will not enter another resident's room without express permission, will not engage in arguments, threats, or any verbal or physical altercation, will not touch another resident's property unless invited to do so, will not touch another resident, and will treat all residents with respect and deference regardless of the circumstances.

m. I will not engage in any romantic or sexual activity with another person in the Oasis sober living house at any time.

Treatment Disclaimer

h. I understand that detoxification, residential treatment, and outpatient treatment services will not be conducted in the Oasis Sober House at any time.

Guests and Children

k. Guests are not permitted in the Oasis sober house overnight. Children are not permitted in the Oasis sober house at any time.

l. If I have any guests over, I am responsible for their conduct and state of mind as I am for my own. I will not invite or allow guests to use drugs or alcohol on the premises, and if I have knowledge that they have been using drugs or alcohol prior to visiting, I will choose not to invite them over or ask them to leave.

Inspections and Privacy

n. The house manager or other staff of Oasis reserves the right to inspect and/or search my room and belongings for cleanliness and/or contraband at any time without notice to maintain the health and safety of myself and others living in the residence.

q. Nobody, other than house residents, will be allowed in the upstairs/sleeping room areas of the house. Nobody shall be allowed into my sleeping room, other than the house manager or Oasis staff. If I break this rule, my residency will be reviewed and this may be grounds for termination.

Medications

o. I have full responsibility for my medication while living in this Oasis sober house. All prescription medications are to be registered with the house manager. The house manager is in no way responsible for dispensing my medication, whether prescribed or over the counter. I will manage all of my medication, and this may be subject to oversight by the resident manager.

p. I understand the importance of keeping all my medications locked in a lockbox and not giving any other person access to that lockbox.

Curfew and Absence

r. If I am leaving for any reason on an overnight stay, I must communicate this to the house manager or other Oasis staff prior to leaving. Curfew is set forth in the handbook, depending on what Phase I am in, and may only be modified with permission from the house manager or Operations Director. Violation of this rule may result in termination from the house unless reasons are verifiable — such as through employer or staff on a case-by-case basis.

s. If I am absent from the Oasis sober living house for any reason not approved by the house manager or Operations Director for more than 24 consecutive hours, Oasis may deem my absence as a voluntary abandonment of my right to reside in the Oasis sober house. I agree that Oasis may re-rent my room without any liability to me, and in such circumstances, I waive any right to reside in the house and any claim against Oasis in relation thereto.

Belongings and Property

t. If I lose my right to reside in the house for any reason, I must collect my belongings immediately. Belongings will only be held for 15 days and will then be disposed of at the staff's discretion.

Termination

w. I acknowledge receipt of the Handbook, which contains various rules and regulations for staying in the Oasis Sober Living House, as well as the phase of my residency.

Health, Safety, and Conduct Standards

x. I will respect health and safety standards and be considerate of the rights of others. I agree to uphold the following:

1. Maintain good personal hygiene including regular showers, daily brushing of teeth, and wearing clean, appropriate clothing at all times. Wash clothes and bedding regularly.
2. Be responsible for the clean and orderly maintenance of my room and participate in daily chores as assigned. No hanging items on lamps, doors, doorknobs, furniture, or wall fixtures.
3. Not smoke inside the property. Smoking is a privilege permitted only in designated areas; cigarette butts must be disposed of in proper receptacles. If butts are discovered outside of designated smoking areas, all residents may lose smoking privileges.
4. Refrain from loud music or excessive noise, particularly after 9:00 PM.
5. Not steal. Stealing is grounds for immediate dismissal.
6. Not enter other residents' rooms without permission.
7. No pets or animals are permitted. Exceptions only for service animals with accompanying documentation.
8. Not prop open any exterior door that would allow public access to the residence.
9. No physical or verbal abuse of other residents or staff. Law enforcement may be called for violent or aggressive behavior, and these choices will result in review of residency and may result in termination.
10. Refrain from public displays of sexual behavior.
11. Weapons are not permitted on the premises at any time, under any circumstances.
12. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited.
13. If there is concern for my safety, the house manager and other assigned staff may enter my room to ensure my well-being.
14. All property and furnishings supplied in my room are to remain on-site when I move out.
15. I will obtain approval from the house manager before bringing personal furnishings or belongings into the house. Approval may be denied without stating a reason. Neither Oasis's insurance nor the property owner's insurance covers personal belongings; loss or theft is not the responsibility of Oasis or the property owner.
16. Personal property brought into the house is at my own risk. Lending or borrowing among residents is to be avoided. Personal property left at the house more than 15 days after vacating is considered abandoned and shall become the property of Oasis sober living house, to be disposed of or retained for use by others at Oasis's discretion.

House Rules (Appendix)

In addition to the agreement above, all residents follow the Recovery Residence House Rules, which may be amended in writing at the weekly house meeting. The full set of rules is published in the Resident Handbook.

SMS Consent

Acknowledgment

These rules are not all-inclusive and may be added to or changed at the discretion of Oasis. Residents acknowledge personal responsibility for their choices and agree to respect and adhere to all the policies, procedures, and rules set forth by Oasis to help them succeed in their recovery plan.

Residents who fail to comply with these rules may be immediately removed from the sober house. If necessary, prosecution and other legal proceedings may be considered.

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