Tough Program

TLC is tough. On the streets and in institutions we are known as a no nonsense program with zero tolerance for those who use drugs or alcohol and are unwilling to work a program. At times this works against us.

For example, at one time the Arizona Department of Corrections quit releasing parolees to us. When we asked why we found out that when clients who'd been at TLC ended up back before the parole board they claimed  we were a "dope house" where drugs were readily available. After hearing this over and over the board quit releasing parolees to TLC. However, once we met with them and explained that parolees were merely seeking someone to blame for their relapses - they started sending them again. Addicts like to blame others for their failures .

Clients who've been at other halfway houses and recovery programs are sometimes surprised at how strict we are. And many, once they discover this, move to someplace with fewer restrictions.  And in many cases it's a good decision. After all, not everyone needs the level of supervision we offer.  Some addicts only need a minimum amount of supervision to get their lives on track. But our experience has been – especially with the clients we accept – that we're dealing with addicts who’ve relapsed over and over. These clients need intense supervision to be accountable for their behavior.

For this client we are the perfect solution. In our program they're required to sign in and out so we know where they’re at. We require them to prove where they look for employment by giving them a job sheet to monitor their applications. Clients adhere to a curfew. They have a certain number of meetings they're required to attend - both in and out of the program. They're subject to a drug test at any time; refusal means discharge.

Over the years we've had complaints about this structure – from both clients and outsiders. But our experience has been – for addicts of our type – that easier and softer doesn't work. Addicts of our caliber manipulate everyone around us until they get tired and run us off. If we're going to save our lives, and we view this as a life-and-death situation, we need all the structure we can get.