Questions & answers
Sober Living FAQ
26 straight answers about life in a Blue Waters home, in North Miami Beach, Pompano Beach and Oakland Park. Don’t see your question? Call (954) 344-0550, 24/7.
General
What is sober living?
Sober living is a safe, alcohol- and drug-free home where adults in recovery live together and practice everyday life. It is not detox and not treatment. We have no doctors or nurses on staff.
Is Blue Waters a treatment center or detox?
No. Blue Waters is non-medical sober living, and we’re independent: not affiliated with any detox or treatment center. Many people come to us after detox or a treatment program, or while attending outpatient care.
Where are your homes?
We have homes in Pompano Beach (men and women, our main campus), Oakland Park (women) and North Miami Beach (men and women).
Do you have sober living in Miami?
Yes. Our North Miami Beach homes, one for men and one for women, are in the 33162 ZIP code near the Miami-Dade/Broward line. They work well for people whose work, family, meetings or outpatient care are in North Miami, Miami Gardens, Aventura and northern Miami-Dade.
Do you have homes for women?
Yes. Men and women live in separate homes. We have women’s homes in North Miami Beach, Oakland Park and Pompano Beach.
Why don’t you list house addresses?
For privacy and the safety of residents, we don’t list house addresses online. We share details by phone after a first conversation. Our main office is at 509 SW 2nd Place, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.
Is Blue Waters a nonprofit? Is it accredited?
Yes. Blue Waters Recovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and FARR Accredited. The work started as Sober Living by Tiffany and has been running for more than 10 years.
Cost and getting in
How much does sober living cost?
Weekly rates range from $180 to $250 per week, depending on the home and room. Call for availability.
How do I get in?
Call (954) 344-0550 any time, 24/7. The first step is usually an assessment by phone. You can also send a callback request through our contact page, but for the fastest answer on availability, call.
Can I call from jail?
Yes. People in jail can call Blue Waters through the Securus phone system for a free assessment, and Blue Waters covers the cost of the call.
Can an attorney, court or probation officer refer someone?
Yes. Public defenders, attorneys, courts, probation officers and case managers can refer a client through our contact form.
What if I need detox first?
If you need medical withdrawal care, that comes first. Start there and call us when you’re ready.
Can you help with health insurance?
We don’t sell insurance, but we recommend Mario at Help465, who helps with ACA (Marketplace) major medical plans, Medicaid and Medicare. The consultation is free.
Living at Blue Waters
What are the house rules?
Every Blue Waters home has the same house expectations: house meetings, daily chores and room checks, curfews, five in-person 12-step meetings a week with a signed meeting sheet, random and frequent drug and alcohol testing, and weekly one-on-ones with house managers.
Which meetings count?
Any “Anonymous” 12-step meeting counts (AA, NA, CA, CMA and so on). SMART Recovery meetings don’t count toward Blue Waters’ required weekly meetings.
Do you drug test?
Yes. Testing is random, frequent and monitored, for both drugs and alcohol.
Is there a curfew?
Yes. Blue Waters is a long-term, phased program, and curfews and privileges ease as residents make progress and build time.
Do I have to work?
Residents hold a steady job or look for work on weekdays. We offer job-search support and links to free classes and job training, plus our jobs portal.
What happens in my first 10 days?
Get a sponsor, pick a home group (one specific meeting, not just the clubhouse) and take a service commitment at your home group. A manager checks in on all three until they’re done.
Can I live at Blue Waters if I’m on MAT (Suboxone, Vivitrol or methadone)?
Yes. Residents on MAT are welcome at every house, including people taking buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol) or methadone as prescribed by their own doctor. We don’t prescribe or provide medical services.
Are there dogs in the homes?
Yes. Rescue dogs from Blue Waters Dog Rescue, a separate 501(c)(3), live in our homes while they wait for forever families.
Is there peer support?
Yes. Free peer specialists visit residents at home. In Miami-Dade, South Florida Wellness Network and WestCare (The Village South) offer free peer support.
How do I get a letter of residency for my ID, SNAP or bus pass?
Let a manager know at least 48 hours before you need it.
How do residents get around without a car?
Near North Miami Beach there are free local shuttles, Freebee rides and Miami-Dade Transit. Tri-Rail connects Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
For families
How can I help a loved one without enabling?
Encourage them to follow house rules, go to meetings and keep working. If something worries you, let a manager know rather than stepping in around the rules. Help with real needs in a way you can see, rather than handing over cash. And take care of yourself; Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are for people who love someone with a drinking or drug problem.
What if my loved one isn’t ready for sober living yet?
Recovery United is a nonprofit that helps families figure out what to do next, such as detox, treatment, counseling or intervention help. In an emergency, call 911 or call or text 988.
Ready to take the next step?
Call for availability and pricing. We’ll talk through where you are in recovery, which home fits and what to bring, honestly and without pressure.
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