Northstar Sober LivingNorthstarSOBER LIVING · WEST DES MOINES

Program · Sober Living

Structured sober living for the next step in recovery.

A welcoming, sober home with daily structure, accountability, and a community that wants residents to keep moving forward.

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A safe, sober home with structure and support.

Sober living at Northstar means a real home — not a facility. Residents share kitchens, common spaces, and routines that make recovery a daily practice rather than an event. The pace is steady. The expectations are clear. The community is part of the work.

What residents can expect.

  • Safe sober housing

    Substance-free common spaces, regular drug screening, and a shared standard every resident agrees to.

  • Clear house expectations

    Curfew, chores, attendance, and accountability laid out from day one — not negotiated in the moment.

  • Supportive community

    Peers walking the same season of recovery, plus house leadership who've been there.

  • Recovery-focused routines

    Meetings, programming, and daily rhythms that keep the work of recovery in view.

  • Personal accountability

    Honest check-ins and a culture where small commitments — kept consistently — actually matter.

  • Faith-rooted encouragement

    Optional and welcoming to all. No one has to share a tradition to be cared for here.

Who sober living may be right for.

  • Adults continuing recovery

  • People transitioning from a treatment program

  • Residents seeking structure

  • People rebuilding daily routines

  • People who want community and accountability

Daily life with rhythm and responsibility.

  1. Morning routines

  2. Work, school, or responsibilities

  3. Recovery meetings or programming

  4. House responsibilities

  5. Evening check-ins

  6. Rest and reset

Clear expectations help create a safer home.

  • Maintain sobriety

  • Respect the home and residents

  • Participate in required routines

  • Follow curfew and house rules

  • Contribute to chores

  • Stay engaged in recovery

What's included in sober living.

The cost of a stay covers the basics of daily life and the programming that keeps the home running.

  • Furnished living space
  • Utilities
  • Wi-Fi
  • Shared common areas
  • House meetings
  • Recovery programming
  • Accountability structure

Sober living is not clinical treatment.

Northstar provides housing, structure, programming, and community — not licensed clinical care. Residents who need detox, inpatient care, therapy, or medication management work with outside providers. Our role is to offer the stable, sober environment that supports the work happening elsewhere.

Additional support options.

  • Extended Care

    Longer-term support for residents who need more time before independent living.

    Learn more

Sober living questions.

  • How long do residents stay?
    Length of stay varies. Most residents stay several months; some longer. We'll talk through what fits during admissions.
  • Are meetings required?
    Yes — house meetings are part of the program, and outside recovery meetings are an expected part of the routine.
  • Is there a curfew?
    Yes. Curfew supports the rhythm of the home and is part of the expectations every resident agrees to.
  • Are residents required to work or go to school?
    Active engagement is expected — work, school, volunteering, or another structured commitment. We help residents plan toward that if they're not there yet.
  • What happens if someone relapses?
    We respond with honesty and care. Each situation is different, and our priority is the safety of the home and the resident's path forward — which sometimes means a higher level of care.
  • Can family members contact Northstar?
    Yes. Families are part of the wider support system. We're glad to hear from them.

Ready for a structured place to continue recovery?

Apply to Stay Contact Us