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.

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