The Model

Our recovery model was created by recovering alcoholics and addicts for fellow sufferers, and evolved independently of other treatment programs in North America. The ten basic principles are summarized below.

The 1835 Book

A book is available for professionals in the healthcare fields detailing the 1835 Recovery Model and daily operations at 1835 House. Click here to find out more.

Principles of the 1835 Recovery Model

Total Abstinence – total abstinence from all mood altering drugs. Alcoholics/addicts are never ‘cured,’ but they can learn to keep their illness in remission.

12-Step Program – the program of Alcoholics Anonymous provides a practical means of achieving the change of thinking and behavior necessary for living a sober and happy life.

Counsellors in Recovery – 1835 counsellors are all participating members of Alcoholics Anonymous. The understanding and application of the 12-step program in their personal lives are essential for effective communication and guidance.

Total Environment Recovery – every part of the environment, from the physical arrangement of the House to the full range activities that go on inside, is oriented to recovery, and every action is undertaken and interpreted in terms of its recovery value. The House provides a safe environment of total support, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and an intensive and highly structured program requiring full commitment.

Sobriety First – exclusive concentration on living sober. Learning to live sober is a long-term process. Training in other life skills must wait until emotional as well as physical sobriety is attained.

Employment – essential to dignity and self-esteem. Idleness is the enemy of the recovering alcoholic/addict. Initiates begin with House chore responsibilities.

Peer Mentoring – sharing past experiences and current hope brings identification with the group, ending aloneness. Much healing begins in the company of peers away from treatment staff. Seniors (residents with several months sobriety) further their own recovery by working with newcomers as House Sponsors and taking leadership roles in House activities.

Helper-therapy: Those who help others also help themselves .

Extended Recovery - each individual receives all the time he needs for his recovery. As long as progress is being made, residency is extended. Except for serious breech of House rules, no man is discharged before he is ready. Short or long-term, the 1835 model adjusts to the client’s needs.

Planned Aftercare – essential for maintaining sobriety. During residency clients are introduced to the 1835 Alumni Association through regular alumni activities. They also attend 12 - step meetings outside the House, and are encouraged to find a home group and sponsor. A unique feature of 1835 planned aftercare is that all alumni can return to the House for free counselling at any time, even years later.

Alumni Association – keeps alumni involved with the House and each other. Alumni provide role models for residents, and act as catalysts for involving residents in House activities such as sports, dances, and speaker meetings.

Please contact us directly for more information on our recovery model. Detailed information about the 1835 Recovery Model is available in our book.