Our Story - Why We Started Sober Living - Real Recovery
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How a Small Vent Fire Sparked Innovation in the Sober Living Industry

Our Story

Where The "Magic" Started Our Journey In Sobriety

Our Story | real recovery about our story a younger jon stob and patrick driving around

It all started with us experiencing what too many addicts and alcoholics have seen too many times…

Like many people in early sobriety, Real Recovery’s founder, Patrick, was new to recovery after completing an in-patient treatment program. Having no clue what the next step would be, he had taken the suggestion from his therapist and proceeded to a local halfway house in Tampa.

The humbling experience started by Patrick arriving to the unlocked, ransacked, dilapidated (alleged “sober home”) building with no formal introductions from anyone in charge. Unsure what to do, Patrick found an empty bed to throw all his earthly possessions on. 

Our Story | real recovery about our story a younger jon stob and patrick driving around
Our Story | about our story vent fire aftermath clean up

There was no greeting, no intake process, zero drug test, no contract to sign, and zero direction or resources provided upon settling in. Patrick was just told to go to 12-step meetings, attend a weekly “house meeting,” and the $600 per month rent.

During his stay, Patrick continued his Outpatient Program, went to 90 meetings in 90 days, and continued working the steps while building his support network. All while living in a structure that had continuous issues.

Some of the recurring issues that occurred were that the roof leaked every time it rained, men were sleeping in a walk-in closet, bed bugs and roaches roamed freely without any solution in place, the grounds were unkempt, the oversight was sub-par, accountability from appointed “house managers” was non-existent, other residents came and went as they pleased with zero restrictions, but—a solid group of men stayed. Those were the guys who were “doing the deal” when it came to taking their recovery seriously.

Our Story | real recovery about our story sober housemates riding roller coasters at busch gardens

After six months of living in squalor, there had been a fire in Patrick’s bathroom. The vent fan caught on fire from 20 years of debris build-up—this event was the final straw. “It was time to find a sober home that wasn’t going to impede upon his sobriety or his safety.”

After a month of shopping around for other recovery residence options, Patrick had concluded that they were all too similar when it came to accountability, structure, amenities, and cleanliness. There was a definite need for something better: a place that could provide proper oversight and have respectable living conditions.

The importance and value were there; Patrick knew the importance of the community he had grown a part of and the accountability he desperately needed to succeed in long-term recovery outside of 12 step fellowships. With that in mind, the seed had been planted to start Real Recovery, where the primary focus was on Community and Environment; the foundation of our mission always strive to provide the best quality sober living experience possible. We deserved better, so do you.

Our Story | real recovery about our story sober housemates riding roller coasters at busch gardens

Changing the Sober Living Industry
One Location at a Time

Changing the Sober Living Industry One Location at a Time

Our Story | real recovery about our story clean modern sober living apartment living room

The number of addicts, alcoholics, and individuals in recovery that have experienced the very same, or worse, conditions at other “sober living facilities” is just too damn high. That’s what we thought, turns out we weren’t alone either.

It’s an unfortunate but common theme in the “sober living” industry – you’ll find no shortage of “sober homes” that are little more than flophouses managed by sketchy organizations looking to make a buck of the disease of addiction.

We’ve heard countless stories about dilapidated buildings located in rundown neighborhoods or drug hotspots, sober homes with little or no management, cash houses that don’t care whether or not the residents are succeeding in recovery or even staying clean, bedbugs, roaches, and non-existent amenities; all while you have several men in cramped in rundown accommodations who are paying $600 or more month for conditions that are only marginally better than a homeless shelter.

Our Story | real recovery about our story clean modern sober living apartment living room
Our Story | Real Recovery Sober Living for Men Program Community Activities Bonding with Friends in Sobriety

At Real Recovery, our mission is to provide a safe, structured, and affordable sober living program with clean, modern apartment-style accommodations that residents can take pride in. Getting sober and early sobriety is stressful enough without living in squallier.

First and foremost, our sober living is all about recovering from the depths of despair that is active addiction and alcoholism. We regularly breathalyze and drug test clients to keep everyone accountable. Each resident is vetted during the intake process to ensure our community remains recovery focused – just like the 12-steps, the desire to get clean and stay sober is one commitment we’ve each made to ourselves.

Every program administrator and house manager are active members in recovery, we share a common bond which helps us be of maximum usefulness in our common goal. We take pride in our availability, readiness, and ability to connect with and help each resident navigate early sobriety.

Trusted by Hundreds of Men & Families.
Nationally Recognized & Certified by Industry Leaders.

Trusted by Hundreds of Men & Families. Nationally Recognized & Certified by Industry Leaders.

Florida Association of Recovery Residences
NARR National Alliance for Recovery Residences
Real Recovery A+ BBB Rating
Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services TPAS
National Association of Addiction Treatment Professionals
"Half measures availed us nothing." -AA Big Book

Why Ambitious Men Choose Us

Real Recovery is a growing community of sober living homes located in the Tampa Bay area. Our properties are located throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota County). We offer a safe environment where men who are serious about recovering from the seemingly hopeless disease of alcoholism and addiction can build a new way of life filled with purpose, among likeminded sober peers.

Real Recovery provides an affordable and realistic structure built upon the principles of 12-step recovery programs to afford each resident a safe, supportive, and drug-free environment with personalized treatment plans to achieve their long-term goals and lasting sobriety.

Nationally Recognized & Certified Recovery Residence
Real Recovery is a nationally recognized and certified sober living residence with onsite certified recovery specialists that are active members of a 12-step program.
Reinforce Accountability with Random Drug Tests
Random breathalyzers, drug tests, and curfew checks ensures our sober living program provides a clean environment, where everyone is accountable for their recovery.
Modern, Clean & Dignified Apartment-Style Living
Modern renovated apartment and townhome-style sober living homes with all the amenities residents need to succeed in sobriety and maintain gainful employment.
We're Driven To Succeed in Every Aspect of Life
Our clients work, attend school, or volunteer, and participate in Real Recovery’s community events. We are an active sober community with a sense of camaraderie.

Need Help Choosing a Sober Home Location?

Whether you want to be close to home, work, the beach, or right next door to a university, one of our properties is sure to align with your goals in sobriety.

While we all suffer from a common denominator – the disease of addiction and maladaptive coping mechanisms, many of us have walked different paths to arrive at the doorstep of recovery.

Our highly trained recovery specialists and house managers can help you identify which location may best suit your needs based on your unique experience, goals, work history, and the availability or lack of transportation so you or your loved one has the best opportunity to not only remain sober but rebuild all aspects of their life.