“It (Gaston House) has improved our relationship with our son. His participation there has given him his life back. The changes are amazing. His attitude is very positive now. He’s happy again and he has willingness to open up and talk to us. The honesty and trust in our relationship has returned.”

True Life Change

“Our son is more respectful, polite, and considerate of others. He listens to people’s opinions and takes them in to consideration rather than just objecting or stating his opinion without regard to anyone else.

To name a few of the changes we’ve noticed…
•    He is more talkative about his life and activities
•    He doesn’t explode at situations
•    He’s willing to listen to advice
•    His attitude has improved
•    He thinks more before making decisions
•    He has a positive outlook on life
•    He looks healthy again – bright eyes, clearer skin, etc.
•    He’s thinking about his future – just enrolled at the University”

Staff

“The staff members at Gaston House take the time to work with our son on issues/problems/concerns he may have through one-on-one and group interactions. They demonstrate positive attitudes and are able to show him how they have changed their lives through sobriety.”

“There is always someone available to talk and/or listen to him; they devote the time necessary to work on his issues, which makes a huge difference. I know our son trusts the staff at the house and that he’s very comfortable interacting with them.”

“In addition to recovery they enjoy outside activities – fishing, wakeboarding, ropes & climbing courses, etc.”

Life Skills

“He (our son) learned a variety of things….different daily living activities such as doing chores, basic banking skills, how to use public transportation, how to look for employment, apply for jobs, and create a resume.”

Community

“Gaston House’s recovery talks allow the young men at the house a chance to open up/talk about their life in a secure and safe environment. The house gives them the opportunity to learn how to live/interact with each other and work as a team.”

The Bottom Line

“As our son’s sobriety has strengthened, we’ve seen such a change in him—both mentally and physically, he is much stronger. He is now focused on staying healthy, he jogs and works out, and thinks about his future. When he checked in nine months ago he was very thin/malnourished from the past two years of choosing drugs over sobriety. He wasn’t eating, he was working to support his drug habit and all his decisions revolved around his addiction.”

“We feel fortunate that our son asked us for help and Gaston House welcomed him. Living at the house has allowed him see all levels of addiction and also to learn from each of the young men’s stories/experiences. He originally planned on just completing the minimum three month stay but as he became stronger his desire to stay sober helped him to make the decision to complete six months – which then turned in to gaining a full year of sobriety before returning home.”

“Seeing men check in at their various stages of addiction, the affects of relapsing and the efforts each person goes through to reach sobriety and better their lives has given our son the opportunity to better understand addiction and the effects it has not only on him, but on society as a whole. It has helped him see that positive changes do happen when you choose to live a life of sobriety.”

“With the skills and practices that Gaston House either reinforces or teaches, my son has gained maturity and has become a responsible adult.  He appreciates what people have done for him and values all of his relationships.  He remembers to give and not take for granted what has been given him.”

Positive Life Change

“My son is leading a sober, happy, and very independent life.  I see that he takes joy in being WHO HE IS.”

The Staff

“My son was very much in need of male mentors; with Gaston House he got a home full.  He had 24-hour guidance, but had the freedom to make decisions independently.”

Independent Living Skills

My son learned to stretch his limits and live outside his comfort zone.  He was taught to seek independence and not revert, literally and figuratively, to a ‘harmful, comfortable’ place.

“The Difference”

“I cannot say enough great things about the staff at the house.  My son has been living independently for many months now, but he always has a place to go for ‘shelter’ if he needs it.   My son and Gaston House have a very positive and ongoing relationship and I am allowed to be a part of that.  I would not hesitate to pick up the phone and call Gaston House for any concerns I have about my son.”

Individual Therapy– Each resident is encouraged to receive counseling through West Counseling. These counseling sessions focus on education of the disease concept of addiction and learning to enjoy living in sobriety. In addition, therapy also focuses on teaching the client independent living skills, such as budgeting, money management and personal accountability.

Recovery Talks– As part of living in the Gaston House community, residents are required to attend three recovery talks 3 times per week. These recovery talks emphasize personal accountability and the understanding that individual actions affect the larger community. In addition to the house recovery talks, all residents are required to attend at least four 12-step meetings per week outside of the house.

Family Therapy – Our belief is that addiction is not an isolated disease, but affects the entire family. Residents have the opportunity to participate in counseling sessions through West Counseling with significant family members in order to open communication and resolve on-going family conflicts as they relate to recovery issues. Family members are also strongly encouraged to participate in recovery themselves through Al-Anon and working the 12 steps. If family members are not available to meet in person, phone calls with family are also available.

Christian Growth –Discipleship, Bible study and individual prayer are readily available for residents who desire such. Each staff member is willing to provide Biblically based conversations and/or prayer at the resident’s request. Because the 12-steps outlined in the Big Book are spiritual in nature, we believe that working the steps the most efficient way to get connected with God. It is our experience that only then does prayer, Bible study, and discipleship have any significant effects.

Independent Living Skills – Budgeting and money management, daily chores and room cleaning, personal hygiene, and time management are just a few of the many independent living skills residents at the Gaston House will pick up.  Our desire is that each resident has all the tools necessary upon graduation to live in the world as productive members of society.

Securing Employment – Residents at the Gaston House must have a job, and work at least 25 hours per week.  Dallas has an healthy economy, and residents generally have no problem finding a job within the first few weeks.  As part of our program, each residents must pay at least 30% of his earned wages toward the cost of his stay at Gaston House.

Educational Opportunities – Many of the young men at the house have a desire to procure a G.E.D., high school diploma, or begin taking college courses.  All of the previously listed are available. Dallas County Community College has a campus just minutes from the Gaston House, and is an extremely reputable community college.  Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, and University of Dallas are other options for continuing education.

In addition to working the 12-steps of recovery with a sponsor, Gaston House provides a Christ-based recovery model for residents who desire to grow in their Christian walk. This program offers Bible studies, strong fellowship with the local Christian community in recovery, Christian conversations and church services, promoting Jesus as the source of healing and reconciliation. Character First also utilizes traditional recovery that includes relapse prevention and one-on-one conversations.

When Jesus Spoke again to the people
he said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

The Gaston House

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Our Team

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All visitors must respect the privacy and confidentiality of the residents. Visitors should understand that who they see and what they hear while at Gaston House is not to be disclosed.

Female visitors who are not family members must be 18 years of age and can only be downstairs, in common areas.  All family visitors (friends, girlfriends, wives) are not allowed in residents bedrooms.

NO EXCEPTIONS

Residents are asked to introduce visitors to the community and staff.

Visitors who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted in the house. Staff members may drug test any visitor suspected to be in violation of this policy.

Staff members and house managers have the right to deny visitation privileges to anyone.

Visitors are not allowed to randomly visit members of the community.

Visitors are subject to the same curfew(s) as the community, and are forbidden to stay in the house overnight.

Safety of Residents

Gaston House prohibits alcohol, illicit drugs and weapons on the premises; Gaston House may immediately discharge any person in violation of this prohibition.

Gaston House forbids residents to engage in disruptive behavior, physical abuse or verbal threats; Gaston House may immediately discharge any person in violation of this prohibition.

Tobacco Products

Gaston House forbids smoking in the house. Residents may smoke in the outside seating area, on the front patio or in the front of the house.

Medications

No alcohol-based over the counter medications, prescriptions, cooking additives, hand sanitizers or mouthwash are permitted.

Residents are not allowed to take medications or eat foods that would cause a positive result on a drug test.

Gaston House is not a medical facility and there are no doctors on staff.

Diabetics requiring insulin injections must provide a sharps container at intake.

Residents are expected to take their medications as prescribed and have them refilled.

Each resident at Gaston House is expected to serve others in the house as well as the local community as part of the recovery program. We believe that true recovery is only found in helping others and learning that all actions, positive and negative, have an impact on those around us.

Work Crew

In addition to individual chores, each Saturday morning, residents spend at least two hours doing work that benefits the house community or the surrounding area. Landscape work, trash pick up, bus stop cleaning and general area beautification projects are just a few of the ways residents will spend the morning reaching out to others.

Sponsorship

As part of a 12-Step Program, each resident is expected to secure a sponsor within two weeks of admission. A sponsor is someone with more long-term sobriety who helps residents work through the 12-Steps. As residents work through the process, they eventually become sponsors as well.

Sharing the Message

Outside of sponsorship, residents are invited to participate in educating others about addiction and recovery. Many residents speak about their battle with substances at other centers such as Serenity High, Dallas 24 Hour Club, Salvation Army and Phoenix House.

Fun Sober Living

“We aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.”
–Alcoholics Anonymous p. 132

Gaston House residents are encouraged to participate in having sober fun with the other men in the community. Located just east of downtown Dallas, there is no shortage of activities available to residents. Some examples include:

-Boating/wakeboarding/waterskiing
-Horseshoes
-Playing basketball in the back drive
-Working out in the weight room
-Fishing
-Nearby golf courses
-Local tennis facility
-Enjoying nearby White Rock Lake
-Listening to local live music
-Running or Biking down adjacent historic Swiss Avenue
-The 6th Floor Museum and Kennedy Memorial in downtown
-Playing board games with fellow residents
-Residents can earn video game privileges as well
-Playing with our rescued and very lovable housedog, Johnny Cash.

Occasionally, entire house outings involving all community members are planned. Some events include:

-Indoor house ropes course two to three times a year
-Shrine Circus
-Hurricane Harbor
-Texas Motor Speedway
-Whirlyball
-Authentic Crawfish Boil

The resident’s stay at the Gaston House is based upon a phase system. Upon arrival at Gaston House, the resident will be put on Phase I.

Phase 1

NO ELECTRONICS, NO EXCEPTIONS
That means no IPODS, no CELL PHONES, and NO COMPUTER!!!
You can watch T.V. after 5pm.
To move off Phase 1 you must be working 25+ hours a week.
Have a sponsor and working The Program.
CURFEW;
Sunday thru Thursday: 10:30pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 pm

Phase 2

You become eligible to obtain IPODS, cell phones, cars (at staff’s discretion), and may use computer.
NO XBOX, NO PLAYSTATION!!
Have to work 25+ hours a week.
If not working 25+ hours a week you may be moved down at anytime to Phase 1.
You must be consistent on chores.
To be eligible to move to Phase 3 you must show consistency
as well as getting nomination from peer counsel and approval from staffing.
CURFEW;
Sunday thru Thursday: 11:30pm
Friday and Saturday: 12:30am

Phase 3
You become eligible to obtain IPODS, cell phones, cars (at staff’s discretion), and may use computer for school only. You may
Play XBOX, PLAYSTATION at appropriate times.
Have to work 25+ hours a week.
You must be doing chores on a consistent basis and have been showing consistency for a considerable time.
CURFEW;
Sunday thru Thursday: 12:30am
Friday and Saturday: 1:30am

All residents must be working a 12 Step Program of some kind. Attending four 12 step meeting a week.

Have to be working 25 hours a week for all phases. You have to pay 30% of your paycheck to the house. Upon paying your 30% you HAVE to turn in a paycheck stub.
If you work at a restaurant you must pay 30% of your tips, no matter what you do, not just waiting tables.

MORNING MEDITATION
Must be DRESSED, BED MADE, ROOMS CLEAN and ON TIME.
If ANY not done you will have to attend the 7AM 24 hour club meeting the next morning, then have to pick up a trash bag full of trash from our lot and the block, then YOU MUST show a staff member or peer counsel member, to show you completed the job.