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Founded in 1962, Stepping Stone is the oldest alcohol and drug recovery program for women in Northern California. A residential program designed specifically for working women, Stepping Stone provides a secure and structured living environment and a variety of programs geared toward recovery from substance abuse and movement toward a productive and satisfying life of sobriety. The program is grounded in the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and many elements of Stepping Stone programs reflect the AA philosophyÑincluding attention to individual responsibility and accountability, the establishment and maintenance of healthy relationships, and program elements designed to foster personal and interpersonal integrity.

Stepping Stone is located in a lovely old Queen Anne Victorian home in the Richmond district of San Francisco. While living at Stepping Stone, women share meals and household chores, participate in regular house meetings, and practice basic self-care tasks at the same time that they are involved in treatment activities designed to aid in their recovery. All residents are required to spend at least 32 hours per week in productive activity outside the home: working, attending school, volunteering, or in job search activities. The home accommodates 13 women, a number small enough to ensure attention to individual needs and yet large enough to provide significant opportunities for group socialization.

Coming to Stepping Stone

Women come to Stepping Stone through a variety of paths. Some are self-referred; others are referred by others, including attorneys, therapists, other local recovery programs, and Stepping Stone alumnae.

Women applying for admission must have been free of alcohol and drug use for 72 hours prior to application. Those who do not meet this 72 hour requirement are referred to a detox center before being considered for admission. Women seeking admission are interviewed by the Director and are required to take urinalysis and breathalyzer tests. Residents agree to participate in random urinalysis and breathalyzer tests during their stay at Stepping Stone. Any woman who drinks alcohol or uses drugs during her stay is immediately dismissed from the program. She may reapply once after 30 days.

Treatment Program

Residents participate in a range of programs, including both individual and group activities. Programs are held during evening hours to accommodate daytime activity requirements.

Individual Treatment Plan

Each woman works with professional staff to develop an individual treatment plan. Some elements of this plan are standard for all residents (e.g., regular attendance at AA meetings). Other elements of the treatment plan are tailored for the particular needs and goals of the individual (e.g., work- or education-related goals, family goals, etc.). Stepping StoneÕs staff includes a CDAC-II, who is on site two days a week to meet with residents for individual counseling and review of treatment plans. Each resident meets with the CDAC staff person at least once a month; more frequent sessions are arranged when individual residents need them. Progress toward completion of individual treatment goals is a criterion for advancement in the program.

Group Activities

All residents participate in a range of group activities designed both to provide opportunities for healthy socialization and to address particular issues related to substance abuse and sober living.

Some group activities are intended to foster basic social and life skills. These include family style meals four days of the week; bi-weekly in-house AA meetings; and regular House meetings where concerns are aired, chores are assigned, weekly assessments are conducted, and so forth. During her first three weeks at Stepping Stone, each resident also participates in a series of three ÒSMARTÓ classes that translate core principles of AA into concrete steps toward recovery. Finally, all residents are required to attend regular AA meetings outside the house, to establish a relationship with an AA sponsor, and to work on the 12 step program of AA.

Other group activities are specifically therapeutic in nature. These include two weekly therapy groups designed to support women in their early recovery. During her first 90 days, each woman attends a weekly Relapse Prevention group led by a CADC-II. During her second 90 days, each resident participates in an anger management group led by a group facilitator with a degree in sociology. Women who choose to stay longer than the minimum 6-month program are free to participate in these groups on an ongoing basis; such involvement is based on treatment assessment and negotiated with professional staff.

Referrals for Additional Services

Stepping Stone provides referrals for individual counseling, vocational services, medical care, and other services for residents at no or low cost.

Residents can expect...

to live in a comfortable home environment with 12 other women.
to engage in at least 32 hours per week of productive activity outside the home.
to work toward sobriety and productive living by practicing the principles of AA.
to participate in regular group and individual treatment activities.
to abide by the expectations of the program, which include abstinence from alcohol and drugs, random drug and alcohol testing, and appropriate behavior as defined by house rules.
to pay monthly fees that cover approximately 50% of the cost of care.
to spend 6-18 months in residence at Stepping Stone.
to earn overnight privileges after 30 days of program compliance.

• AVAILABILITY
• FAQ
• HOW CAN I HELP
• OPPORTUNITIES
• ADMIN LOGIN
• CORNERSTONE