Client Handbook — Acknowledgment

Welcome to our Recovery Community. We are thrilled and honored that you’ve chosen to embark on your journey to recovery with us. It’s a path that requires courage, commitment, and perseverance, and your decision to take this step speaks volumes about your strength and desire to live a life of fulfillment and purpose.

Our program is built on the core values of integrity, balance, empowerment, personal growth, and legacy — essential pillars to your recovery and to living a life rich in meaning and satisfaction.

Questions and Concerns

For questions, concerns, or complaints — please contact (1) first the house manager, (2) then the Program Director, and lastly (3) the Real Deal Staff. Emergency situations do not require a resident to adhere to the chain of command. Real Deal’s main phone number is 469-747-1201.

Resident Code of Conduct

Treat housemates, staff, and neighbors with respect. Speak at a normal volume and with conversational language. Observe any requests for volume adjustments immediately. Disagreements and conflicts should be brought to the attention of your House Manager. Aggressive, belligerent, or unnecessarily disrespectful behavior toward any person may result in you being asked to leave our program.

Use the rear of the property for most in-and-out activity when possible. If you have a dog, the dog must be leashed at all times and all waste must be picked up immediately. Any form of “sex work” is not allowed while in our homes. Most conduct issues are addressed by staff, and a tailored accountability measure is applied in the best interest of the resident.

Accountability

At Real Deal we use a variety of tactics to provide accountability and inspire change in our residents. Examples include restrictions, increased meeting attendance or drug testing, buddy systems, contracts, clinical treatment, or individual coaching sessions.

Our point system addresses minor rule violations. Residents with 3+ points are on an automatic 8pm curfew for 7 days and no pass requests until their points are worked off. Points are worked off by doing assigned tasks that improve their community at home or through volunteer work.

Safety

Keep exterior doors closed and locked at all times. Turn off all appliances when not in use. Know where to locate the fire extinguisher and Narcan in the event of an emergency. Please request Narcan training if you have never been given instructions on how to use it.

Mental Health Safety

Take care of your mental health. If at any point you are concerned about your mental health and would like to speak with a professional, please call the office for a confidential conversation and referrals. Take all approved medications as prescribed; consult a doctor before stopping or changing medications. All medications should be stored in a personal lock box provided by the resident.

If a resident expresses the thought of self-harm, threatens to harm themselves/others, or has harmed themselves, Real Deal maintains the right to take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. Steps may include a welfare check by the police or an emergency mental health assessment at an ER or psych hospital.

Clinical Treatment

If you are attending clinical treatment with Real Deal Therapy & Wellness (RDTW) or at another company, we expect you make all scheduled group and individual appointments. Schedule important things — doctor’s visits, interviews, etc. — outside of the scheduled group times. If you are sick, please make a doctor’s appointment and obtain a doctor’s note. Any unexcused absences from clinical treatment will result in a point for each missed session.

If you are on the Lyft schedule, missed rides or rider no-shows will result in a $20 charge for each occurrence, added to your monthly invoice.

Recovery Meeting Requirements

Residents must attend a minimum of 3+ in-person recovery meetings per week. Meeting sheets must be signed by a chair person at the meeting and a picture posted in Group Me 1x per week before house meetings. Missed meetings will result in points. Lost meeting sheets or failure to post your meeting sheet will result in 3 points. Establish sponsorship within your first 10 days.

Weekly House Meeting

Each week your community will come together to share their accomplishments and disappointments, ask for help, and receive feedback from their peers. The house meeting is required. Missing the house meeting will result in 3 points and 7-day 8pm curfew.

Curfews and Night Out Requests

Curfews are Sunday–Thursday 10pm; Friday and Saturday 11pm. Residents are not allowed to leave after curfew for any reason. Extended curfews, night out, and extended nights out requests are made through our website 72+ hours in advance. All requests are denied if a resident has 3+ points, is on early curfew, is failing to participate in the recovery program requirements, is on a behavior contract, or has had a recent relapse.

If you are late for curfew: 1st occurrence = 1 point. 2nd occurrence = 3 points and 7-day probationary period of 8pm curfew and no nights out. 3rd occurrence = Move-out.

Relationships, Sexual Contact, and Sexual Material

Sexual or romantic relationships between Real Deal residents are strongly discouraged. Regardless the nature of the relationship, there is no sexual contact on our properties. Our properties are to be a safe environment free from sexual exposure or influence. Unwanted and non-consensual activity may result in a move-out.

Pet Policy

Dogs are allowed in our homes with staff approval and a $500 pet fee. All dog’s shot records must be up to date. Owner is responsible for kenneling their dog when not home, leashing it outside, and picking up waste daily. Other residents are not responsible for feeding, walking, or taking out your pet. Animals are not allowed on the furniture. Real Deal can ask that a pet be removed at any time, for any reason. The owner is responsible for any property damage or physical injuries caused by their dog.

Property Searches & Weapons

Real Deal house managers and staff conduct regular, random property searches that may include your personal spaces or vehicle. Searches are also conducted upon suspicion of impairment or possession of prohibited items. Any representative of Real Deal will treat your items with care.

There are no weapons allowed on Real Deal properties. Should you have these items, please surrender them to Real Deal staff or make arrangements for those items to be held by a friend or family member during your residency.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Policy

Real Deal has many restrictions on prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. The general rule is that we don’t allow any substances that have the potential of altering your mood or mind when taken inappropriately. When in doubt — ask Real Deal staff before filling, purchasing, or taking any medications.

Drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, and narcotic prescriptions are prohibited on our properties. Alcohol and drug testing are requested regularly. Refusal to provide a test will result in the resident being asked to leave within 2 hours. Residents with prescribed medication will need to provide a coded lock box.

Financial Policy

Program fees are paid by the 1st of every month. Payments made after the 1st are considered late and incur a $25/day late fee. Residents who have failed to communicate any financial issues related to their program fee payment by the 3rd of the month will be asked to move out. Paid funds are non-refundable. Missed ride shares to or from clinical treatment will result in a $20 fee per missed ride, added to your next invoice. In the event of property damage, the resident will receive an invoice with the amount to repair or replace the identified item; this must be paid within 7 days.