GREENSBORO, Md. - Caroline County's first sober living home is open and ready for business.
Riverside Rentals transformed the old hotel in Greensboro into a home where people can stay while they continue their journey in recovery of substance abuse.
"Success shows that if you go from your environment to rehab and you're there for 30 days, that's not enough time to change your whole life," co-owner Terrie Sprouse said. "Because basically when you're trying to get off drugs, you're trying to change your whole life. 30 days is not enough time."
The new facility features four common rooms and two office areas, as well as kitchen and dining space, laundry room, and indoor/outdoor porches. Sprouse and co-owner Samantha Parker said the renovations kept some of the treasured parts of the hotel in tact. The hotel layout was also beneficial because it offers a bathroom for residents in every room.
The home can house up to 48 people, which Parker said includes three house managers who are in recovery and can model want recovery looks like every day.
"When someone hits a barrier or a roadblock, or a frustrating day -- because it happens, we all have it whether we're in recovery or not -- that person they can come to right here, to vent and not fall off the wagon but to really just be redirected in that vulnerable moment," Parker said.
Parker said their mission is sober and safe housing, which means several safety measures have been put in place to keep everyone safe. Some of those features include things like having key cards for residents, creating a curfew, and offering a locker for personal items.
However, Parker said there's often confusion about what a sober living house is.
"The concern is, well what are you going to provide to them?" Parker said. "Well based on Maryland law -- nothing. But, that doesn't mean we're not going to be providing that partnership with all these agencies."
Some neighbors voiced their concerns about the idea last year. But, councilman Loge Knight said the new home is an asset to the community.
"This is not a facility for addicts. This is a facility for recovering addicts," Knight said. "These are humans, people who are dealing with recovery. There's a difference. These folks want their life to be better. They don't want any of the negative stigma's that comes with addictions and substance abuse."
Riverside Rentals is currently accepting applications for the new facility. More information can be found on their website: liveatriversiderentals.com
