New Beginning Sanctuary NC

Our House Rules

1. Behavior That Will Result in Me Choosing to Leave NBSNC

NBSNC provides a living environment conducive to healing and recovery. As a participant, you agree to:

Zero Tolerance for Alcohol and Drugs: You will not possess or use alcohol or drugs on or off the NBSNC property. This includes any substances that alter the mind or mood (e.g., Kratom, CBD, synthetic drugs). Violations will result in me choosing to leave the program.
Respectful Behavior: Threatening, abusive, discriminatory, or assaultive behavior is not acceptable. Physical violence, theft (including food), destruction of property, and all listed behavior will result in me choosing to leave the program.
Weapons: Weapons, including knives and firearms, are prohibited. Violations will result in me choosing to leave the program.
Sexual Misconduct: You agree to not engage in sexual misconduct or harassment. Any relationship between residents and staff is strictly prohibited, and violations will result in me choosing to leave the program.
Criminal Activity: Engaging in criminal behavior on or off NBSNC property will result in me choosing to leave the program and may be reported to authorities.
Financial Misconduct: Financial exploitation or dealings between residents are prohibited. Borrowing or loaning money, bartering, exchanging, or selling personal property, or the solicitation thereof is prohibited within NBSNC. Such practices can and frequently do lead to misunderstandings and conflict between individuals and program members in general and will result in me choosing to leave the program.
Substance Abuse Reporting: If you are aware of substance use or other violations by another resident, you have an organic responsibility for keeping the house safe from others who wish to openly disregard those in the house and report it to NBSNC staff.
Smoking and Vaping: Smoking or vaping is prohibited inside the building.
Chores and Cleanliness: You must complete your assigned chores and maintain cleanliness in your room and common areas.
Recovery Meetings: You are agree to attend at least 4 recovery-based meetings per week.
Curfew Compliance: You must comply with the curfew rules set forth by NBSNC.

2. Zero Tolerance Policies

Substance Abuse: NBSNC has a strict zero-tolerance policy for all forms of alcohol, drugs, and related paraphernalia. A violation of this policy will result in my choosing to leave the program.
Violence and Theft: NBSNC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violence, threats, intimidation, discrimination or theft. Any such behavior will result in me choosing to leave the program and may be reported to authorities.

3. Program Participation

Voluntary Participation: Your participation in the program is voluntary. By paying the program fee, you are a participant, not a tenant, and these fees are not rent.
Program Fees: Fees are due weekly on Sundays. Failure to pay on time may result in me leaving the program. If you cannot pay your dues, you must notify your program director and executive director about your payment plan. It is up to the director's discretion to agree to your payment plan. Communication is a key component of your payment plan. Please communicate early and often.
Program Fees are: $165 per week, Paid every Sunday. Entry Fee $265 (includes the first week).
Vacating the Property: If I am asked to leave the program, I must vacate the property within one hour with all belongings. Any belongings left behind will become the property of NBSNC.

4. Chain of Command for Issues or Complaints

House Manager
Housing Director
Executive Director (for grievances against the Housing Director)

5. Accountability and Technology Use

One Step Software: You must download and use the One Step app to check into recovery meetings, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) sessions, and employment (only if your work keeps you past curfew and at the request of the house manager or directors).

6. Curfews and Lights Out and Nightly Check-in

Curfew

Sunday to Thursday: Curfew is 11:00 PM.
Friday to Saturday: Curfew is 12:00 AM.

If attending a meeting or employment outside of curfew, you must seek approval from NBSNC staff. You may also be asked to check in and out via the One Step app.

Lights Out

Lights out is one hour after curfew:

Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 AM.
Friday and Saturday: 1:00 AM.

Lights out means all common areas of the house should be quiet and shut down. If you use an electronic device, you must wear earphones or headphones and be mindful of your roommate and housemates. During lights out, please refrain from doing chores, starting laundry, hanging out in common areas, going in and out of the house to smoke, opening or closing the garage, etc. We expect everyone to show courtesy and respect to their housemates, just as you would expect in return.

Late Arrival

I understand that if I arrive late, I may be subject to an immediate drug screening (UA) at my own expense of $10.

Check-in Policy

I agree to inform my house manager via GroupMe when I am home for the night. This policy ensures that everyone is accounted for and safe.

7. Overnight Passes

On your 31st day, you may request and receive 2 overnight passes per week.
Requests for overnight passes must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance for approval. To request an overnight pass, you must use the OneStep Link (available upon request), fill out the request, and get approved by your house manager and mens director.
To receive overnights, you must be current on your dues, attend all your meetings, do your chores, and keep a clean personal space. Your behavior in the house is also considered when making approvals.

8. Sexual Misconduct and Relationships Sponsors

Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct, including inappropriate touching, kissing, or sexual involvement, is prohibited.
Relationships: NBSNC advises and encourages residents to avoid relationships during their early recovery journey. Again this is simply encouraged. Most people will tell you the fastest way to go “back out” is to be in a relationship too soon. Swipe left!

9. Drug Testing and 72 Hour Dismissals

Random Drug Testing: This recovery housing program requires random drug screenings as part of the residency. I agree to participate in these screenings, which may occur without prior notice, cause, or explanation. If I fail to test or do not complete a test within one hour of the request, it will be treated as a positive result, and I will be asked to leave the program.
If I fail a drug test or am found intoxicated, I may be offered detox or a 72-hour dismissal, but this is not guaranteed. A 72-hour dismissal will only be considered if I am honest about my substance use and take responsibility. The decision to offer detox or a 72 Hour dismissal is at the sole discretion of management, taking the severity of the infraction into account. If granted a 72-hour dismissal, I must return on the agreed date and time, pass a drug screen, and have all fees and fines up to date in order to re-enter the program.
In the case of immediate discharge, I will have 45 minutes to remove my belongings. Any unclaimed items left behind for more than three days will become the property of NBSNC.
Testing for THC upon Entry to the Program: If I test positive for THC upon entry, I understand that I must pay for an independent lab test, which costs $50. This test will report my THC levels. Thirty days after entry, I will be tested again. If that test is also positive, I will be responsible for another lab test at a cost of $50. The results of that test must show a significant decrease in my THC level, or it must be gone entirely. If the results do not show sufficient progress, I will be asked to leave the program.

10. Tobacco Use

Designated Smoking Areas: Tobacco products may only be used in designated outdoor areas. Smoking or vaping indoors will result in me choosing to leave the program.

11. Medications

Disclosure and Storage: You must disclose all prescription medications upon entry to NBSNC and/or if you receive new medications during your stay. Narcotics and controlled medications will be stored by NBSNC staff and dispensed weekly. Any medications that do not need to be stored by NBSNC must be kept safe and out of sight of other residents.
NBSNC is MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) Friendly. I understand that Suboxone treatment is a privilege and that there are specific protocols to follow if I am prescribed Suboxone. NBSNC allows participants to be prescribed Suboxone, but the following guidelines must be adhered to:
You may take a maximum of 8mg per day.
Suboxone will be held by the house manager and distributed weekly during house meetings.
Your weekly supply must be stored securely and kept out of sight of other participants.
NBSNC reserves the right to conduct counts at any time. If the count does not match, I understand that this will be considered a violation and will result in my choosing to leave NBSNC due to the misuse of narcotics.
If you have not beenprescribed Suboxone prior to your entry to the Program you can not simply decide to request a prescription and begin taking it. Please ask your director for more information if this is something that comes up.

12. Weekly House Meetings

Mandatory Attendance: Weekly house meetings are required. This is when the entire house gets together and discusses topics pertaining to the house and a check in with all participants. House meetings play a vital role in ensuring the house runs smoothly and efficiently. Failure to attend your house meetings will result in my choosing to leave the program.

13. Recovery Meetings, Classes, In-house 12 Step Meetings and Sponsors

Mandatory Recovery Meetings: You must attend at least 4 recovery meetings per week. These meetings should be approved and not include meetings with your sponsor, individual therapy, or online meetings.
Approved meetings include: IOP, AA, NA, CA, Religious Service, Religious study, Celebrate Recovery, etc. I understand this does not include meeting with my sponsor, individual therapy, or online meetings. I understand that failure to make 4 meetings within a week will result in me making up the meetings missed the following week. (Example: if you miss one meeting the following week you will need to do 5 meetings) I further understand that if I do not make my mandatory meetings, I am choosing to leave NBSNC.
You are required to check into these meetings using the One Step app.
Any outside meeting that occurs past curfew (Ex. Rogue) is a privilege and MUST be approved by your house manager. If approved please be mindful that after the meeting you should come straight home.
Each House is permitted to conduct its own AA/NA meeting inside the house with their housemates. This meeting WILL count towards your weekly meeting count. In order to do so the following must occur:
Run a real 12-Step meeting
Starting with the serenity prayer, readings, chips, etc
Be a minimum of 1 hour long
There must be at least 4 housemates present for the entire hour.
Someone must volunteer to chair the meeting
Check-in using Onestep
Sponsor: I agree to have a sponsor in the first 21 days of entering

14. Resident Rooms

Visitor Restrictions: Visitors are not allowed in your room for any reason. Guests must be sober, and you need to inform the house manager/Director and housemates via group chat about any visitors.
I understand that guests/visitors should be off the property ONE HOUR prior to curfew. 10pm Sunday - Thursday and 11pm Friday - Saturday.
I commit to being mindful and respectful of my guests' length of stay. I understand this is a shared home and will keep visits to a maximum of 2 hours.

15. Overall Cleanliness

You are responsible for keeping your space neat, making your bed daily, and keeping your personal belongings tidy.
All assigned chores must be completed on the day assigned.
I understand that personal hygiene is important and I agree to shower daily and wash my clothes and bed linens weekly.

16. Employment Daily Routine

Job Search: If unemployed, you must search for work daily and submit at least 5 in-person applications per day OR 20 online applications. Both require proof. Screenshots of your online applications should be texted to your house manager and program director. Photos of your in-person applications will suffice.
I understand and agree to be out of bed by 8:30 am and remain so until 4:00 pm unless authorized by an NBSNC staff member. This rule is critical for those who are unemployed and need to be looking for work.
I understand if I have outside employment, I am exempt from this rule.

17. Cameras

Cameras are present in common areas. Tampering with cameras will result in me choosing to leave the program.

18. Behavioral Reviews

Non-Compliance: If you fail to comply with rules outside of the zero-tolerance policies, you will be given a chance to improve. If you become a habitual offender, you are choosing to leave the program.

19. Refund Policy

A 1-week notice is required if you plan to leave the program. Failure to provide 1 week notice will result in forfeiture of any program fees paid for the current week. Any fees paid past the current week will be refunded. Refunds can take up 3 days.

20. Parking Policy

Parking is subject to the house's parking policy. You must follow basic parking rules, such as not blocking driveways or parking in fire zones.

21. House Mindfulness and House Bills

I agree to be mindful of utility usage and help NBSNC keep their weekly program fees as cheap as possible by:
turning off the lights when I leave any room even if you didn't turn it on and you “thought someone was coming back.”
Being mindful of water use. Turning off the water when brushing your teeth and keeping showers to reasonable time frames
When using the washer and dryer do not just wash one item. Wash all your clothes and linens weekly together if possible in an effort to conserve water.
As inflation in rents, home goods, and energy costs continue to rise we are doing our best to keep your program fees as low as possible. In return please help us keep our energy consumption down so we can keep program fees at their current rate.
Please do not touch the thermostat. House managers are the only ones to change the temperatures. Temperatures are to be set to 70 and 68 in the winter.

23. Additional Privileges with Sober Time

After six months of sobriety in NBSNC, weekly meeting requirements drop to 3 times per week.

I agree and understand that continued disregard for any of these rules will result in my choosing to leave NBSNC.

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Why House Rules Are important

House rules are essential in a sober living house because they help create a safe and supportive space for everyone. When people follow these rules, it makes it easier to stay focused on staying sober and improving their lives. For example, rules prevent harmful substances from being brought in, ensuring safety. They also help everyone understand what's expected of them, which reduces conflicts and encourages respect.

Having structure and routine is also important during recovery, and house rules provide that. A clear schedule keeps things organized and helps people stay on track. These rules also hold everyone accountable, ensuring that consequences are clear if a rule is broken. In the end, house rules make sure that the environment is one where recovery can truly thrive.