Alcoholics Rehabilitation Association

The ARA First Step home is a managed sober living enviroment for alcoholics attempting to acclimate to normal life again after leaving a treatment program although there are many avenues into this house. It is the oldest residence of its type in San Francisco, opening in 1955 and running essentially the same way it always has in that time. The facility is nonprofit and receives most of its funding from rent charged to residents and also contributions from several fundraising events held during the year. It has a board of directors that meet regularly.

An applicant having completed at least a 28 day qualified program and had their last drink sometime in the last 365 days will find qualifying relatively easy, pending any psychological issues or taking certain medications deemed "narcotic". Contact them for specifics.

The facility is coed, about 40 men and 5 women. The place has three full time employees, the Director, Program Director and Resident Manager. There is a cafeteria so you are fed meals three times a day (except Sunday - 2 meals). You must do a small in-house job daily for the first 60+ days. You must attend three in-house meetings a week (2 AA meetings and 1 house meeting ). The two in-house AA meetings are mandatory for the first 6 months. The house meeting is mandatory the entire time you live there. If you break any of these rules you are expelled from the house for at least 30 days, and these rules are strictly enforced. There is very little wiggle room. You must also be in the house by midnight or 1AM on weekends unless you have a job. After a time you can ask for nights off from the house.

You must pay rent each week. The first couple months you are allowed to catch up on rent, they will assist you in obtaining general assistance and food stamps which you turn over to them to defray housing expenses. If you cannot keep rent current you have to leave. If you drink or use drugs you are expelled from the house for 30 days. If use occurred in the first 30 days, or on the premises and the paraphernalia is found, you are banished for life. (Although I have seen people come back after several years away - there is forgiveness - eventually). You can stay there for a year and then get a three month extension if you are a resident in good standing. Sometimes longer if you worked for them, helped them and were an upstanding resident.

Upon arrival, if you're a man, you will live in a large 10 man room. Your rent is the cheapest here (last I saw - about 130 a week). As people leave the house and doubles and singles open up, you move up by seniority. It is mandatory you move and the rent increases as well, you cannot live on the cheap in the basement the entire time.

There are a number of jobs available in the house as well as some outside work that gets referred in thru friends of ARA. If you are persistent, and are a hard worker, there should be no problem finding enough money to augment your GA funding. If you have a job, even better. It is a great place to get a new start on life and save money. That is key, to save money and develop a practical exit plan.

I lived here for a year and half between July 2008 and Dec 2009. The place saved my life and helped me turn it around. They gave me a job, supported my program and treated me with dignity. But that is because I was desperate and a lost soul and I wanted to get my life back and was willing to do anything . They see a few hundred people a year and nearly 70% take their recovery lightly or are just there to take advantage of the facility. They can have bad attitudes and do not work their program, if any. And those types of people, who still suffer their addiction, relapse inside or on exit. Success here is like any success in a 12 step program, half measures yield no results.

I think that ARA is one of the miracles that came into my path for recovery. I literally came in with the shirt on my back having lived nearly 30 years with powerful alcohol and drug addictions. I have now been sober nearly 4 years and I have a job, a car, my relationships with my children and family have been restored. I am happy, joyous and free. I can go anywhere I want, whenever I want. That is the gift of AA and ARA.

Not everything is perfect and who can expect that? Some may see ARA as old fashioned. Some may say it's too strict. Some may say it's too loose. Some may say the food sucks. It's all small potatoes - no pun intended.

To wrap up, ARA is not a detox or residential program. It is a managed SLE. You need to come in with some sober time and already equipped with some basic tools to help you deal with life and your fears. From there you can join AA or any 12 step program, get a sponsor, work the steps and gradually recover from this deadly disease. If you do this with a deep rooted belief and willingness to accept that you are powerless over alcohol and your life is unmanageable; this place will help you succeed.

ARA creates a constructive living environment IF you are in the proper political circles with Deborah and the "in" crowd which works in the kitchen and does the heavy lifting of the day to day work in the house. If you are attractive, making progress and have a pathway to be independent, be prepared to be attacked socially with under handed comments and behind the door politics with Deborah and team and other residents. If you are following the rules but have jealous residents, be prepared to be kicked out at any moment by Deborah. The fees here are more than renting a room from a homeowner. The food is decent but many days is carbs, pasta etc.

The board has considered getting rid of Deborah but how many people want to run a half house and manage a kitchen which residents are constantly quitting due to the burden that Deborah's puts on them to deliver 7 days a week and 3 meals a day.

Perhaps you'd fit in but my experience here was a night mare and I never broke a single rule.

I was a resident there for 2 years and it is a very good place with good people. I was able to stay sober and I recommend it to anyone trying to better there life. The staff is helpful and always kind. This place is life saving.

Thank you ARA for everything you do for me and those of us who live in the house. Because of this house I have been given a second chance at life. Thank you Deborah and Rosemary for all you do you deserve A Lot more than you are given. Keep up the good fight.

A friend of mine stayed here for a while, after being released form 850 Bryant for trying to contact her dysfunctional parents and younger sister in St. Francis Wood.

This rehab facility is Women ONLY, but I never felt out of place whenever I'd come to hang out with her, which was Sunday afternoons. I've heard about her going into rehab facilities around The City since 2007. This place is truly a hidden gem, because back in the summer of 2001, I'd take the 71 to Downtown, and I'd always miss out on what there is to know about the Haight.

Nowadays, my friend, Rose, must be living somewhere on Market. She usually calls me when she needs favors, which nowadays is hardly ever.

My personal experience here; continuous reassurance that I can do this, and that minor setbacks are a part of human nature.
The most important part is developing the personable relationship with my peers.

I lived at ARA for a year and a half and it deffinately helped me get on my feet while maintaining sobriety. I highly recommend ARA to anyone that is leaving a program and is looking for a safe and good place to live.

Just be cautious of the day laborer's there through the ARA program Bryan G. was aggressive and threatening to me. I loaned him money in advance to do work on my house. He was aggressive when he showed up, he left, I asked for him to give me the money the next day that he owed me for the work not done. He said he would but never did. Small claims court!

This house saved mylife ,always will eternallyGreatful to Dan and Rosemary If it weren't for the fact I was able yo care for my husband who was waiting for a Liver Transplant. He to would not be here today !!!!

For sometime my wife and I had been planning to remove several items from our home. However, due to the size of the pieces (which included a large old TV, and a "lazy boy" recliner among other pieces) we kept procrastinating. Finally, we committed to get rid of the stuff. So, we contacted ARA because we had used them several times before (for both home and business moves) and had always been very pleased.

As both of us work on Saturdays, we were very specific to the scheduling person at ARA about the time we wanted them to arrive. The two men came on time. They were very helpful in suggesting the best technique for moving the items since we have a challenging circular staircase to contend with. In fact, I was afraid moving the TV might cause damage to our staircase walls without special equipment, but they got it out as if it was a small flat screen. They were finished in less than an hour.

I know the moving industry is renowned for misrepresenting its services. However, I have never had any problem with ARA and would endorse them for any small to medium moving requirements.

Bruce Zuckerman