Admissions | Surfside Structured Sober Living
"Rebuild, Rediscover & Recover"
Life at Surfside Structured Sober Living in Ventnor, NJ allows residents to learn the necessary skills to navigate life again as honorable men in society. We strive to mentor these individuals in our small community setting. Recovering from addiction takes time, love and determination and our sober living home and program provides the safe and structured environment to rebuild ones life. Keep reading to learn more about the sober living admission process.
The Sober Living Admission Process
At Surfside the Potential residents will need to complete a thorough phone screening and interview for the sober living admission process to determine if they are a good fit for our residence. As a close-knit Sober Living home, we take care to ensure our residents are living in a place that will enhance their recovery while feeling safe and protected. We want our residents to feel at home.
After the phone screening is completed and the resident has been initially approved, the Executive Director of Surfside will contact the family to answer any existing questions and concerns regarding our sober living process and to ensure the resident is a good fit. If the gentleman is coming directly from an addiction treatment facility, the Surfside staff will also confirm with the provider and help arrange transportation. We strongly encourage residents to immediately transition from residential treatment to our sober living home and discourage residents from returning home for “just a few days”; this could be incredibly detrimental to the foundation they are trying to build. As professionals in the field, we know that this time frame is when the resident is most fragile, so any gap in transition may detrimental to recovery.
Admissions calls will be taken from 7am-9pm EST, seven days a week. If you are unable to reach us, please send an email using the form below or leave us a detailed voicemail.
We understand that this is a time sensitive matter and we will return the email/message promptly. Most messages and emails are returned within the hour. All referrals from families or professionals will be kept completely confidential.
Our Sober Living Admission Criteria:
- Men ages 18-34
- 7 or more days abstinent from all mind altering substances
- Need to be willing to participate in our program and the 12-step process
- Potential residents must be open minded to getting in shape, eating healthy and participating in activities
- Minimum 90-Day commitment to our recovery house; however most residents stay around 6 months in all 4 phases.
Unfortunately, we are not equipped to address:
- Men with severe aggression or violent history
- Disabling mental or emotional disorders
- Gentleman showing lack of willingness
- Men with history of sexual violence
- Men who are in withdrawal (if this is the case, please call we can help with getting them in detox)
- Guys who cannot physically participate in our activities
What We Provide
We want your time with us to be as comfortable as possible so you can focus on recovery. We provide each of our residents:
- New bed linens and blankets
- 3 meals a day and healthy snacks
- New personal items like toothpaste, soap, shampoo and laundry detergent
- Memory foam beds
- Stand-Up Paddle boards, Surfboards, Camping equipment, longboards, bicycles, beach passes, wifi (high-speed internet), community iMac computers and more
- Case Management
- Structure, guidance and advice
What to bring
We provide a ton of resources! But when you move in, we still need you to bring:
- Clothes for the current weather conditions
- APPROVED medications (residents must be able to self-administer)
- A desire to change your life
- Personal toiletries (nail clipper, toothbrush, comb)
- Optional: computer, phone, sports equipment
To learn more about our sober living admission process please make a confidential call to 609.709.4205. Calls will be taking daily from 8am-8pm.
Annmarie Barry
18:06 14 Feb 19
Surfside Structured Sober Living is a kind of treatment that works ! Engaging young men in their own lives - teaching practical daily living skills. - that have been lost / thrown away , along w a strong emphasis on recovery , the 12 steps of AA
And bonding as brothers in the amazing activities available ! The 3 tier program is providing a gateway to A Clean and Sober Happy Joyous and Free way of living ! Kudos to the staff , and the men who have gone thru this program and who continue to mentor the men that are in early recovery !!
I am a proud family member of a recovering addict , he finally found his way , once he committed to the work at Surfside !!
Debi Alsager
17:23 14 Feb 19
I am an aunt of a former client and after many tries he came to Surfside and now he is back to being the wonderful beautiful man he was always meant to be. All because of this amazing place. THANK YOU!!!
Patrick Downes
13:54 31 Jan 19
Surfside is an incredible program. Ian and his staff have an incredible way of engaging young men on the path to recovery. I can't say enough about what they've done for my clients and their families over the years!!
Samantha DeMaio
20:15 25 Jan 19
I have worked in the field for the past 5 years. I've seen many relapses, aftercare plans, and sober livings. I've personally seen several patient's come in and out of treatment and Surfside has been the change that made those chronic relapsers achieve long term sobriety. Not only does Surfside teach its residence how to live life again but the residence learn the importance of having fun in sobriety! Surfside is an amazing supportive home that truly produces long lasting sobriety.
Andrew Beatley
21:49 12 Jan 19
Coming out of treatment, I definitely did not want to go to an extended care program. But after checking out the website and talking to Ian, I decided to give Surfside a shot. This place gave me a life worth living. I learned that I did not have to go through recovery alone, and I am now plugged into a network of guys who have my back. This place is incredible and game-changing for any young guys struggling with addiction.
Noah Roger
22:58 01 Dec 18
This place saved my life amazing staff and and amazing program director, I am so thankful to have been able to call this place my home. It's incredible what they do for people here
michael melillo
21:33 01 Dec 18
Surfside is an amazing program. I have struggled with substance abuse issues for half my life and never saw a way out until I went through Surfside. Thank you for helping me on this journey.
Linda Melillo
15:47 25 Oct 18
I had been holding both my breath & my comments until my son had successfully honored the initial 3 month commitment (completion of Phase2)he had made to Surfside. His 10+ year addiction has been an arduous & painful experience for himself & all who love him. This journey has included multiple treatment centers in all 4 corners of the country. Never, had we been fortunate enough to experience a place like Surfside.
Surfside is a unique experience both for the client & his family. Owned & staffed by truly honorable men of integrity who have successfully attained sobriety, there can be no doubt that this is a true community. With their support my son has been able to begin to honor his commitments to himself & others. For the first time he has willingly immersed himself in the 12 step program & is no longer feeling hopeless. He has now committed to staying on to complete Phase3!
Surfside is truly a place where all aspects of the individual (body, mind & spirit) are carefully considered, honored & nurtured. Life lessons are interwoven with strong support, and a heck of a lot of fun. I am amazed at the scope of activities that are offered as these young men learn how to celebrate a clean & sober life. They are also mentored in the attainment of skills & goals, (long neglected in the pursuit of addiction) which are necessary for a productive life.
All who enter the doors at Surfside are both respected & held accountable. I can’t begin to describe what it has meant to me, as a parent, both to be kept informed of my son’s progress & to know that any concerns I might have will be listened to. Please believe this has been a unique experience in our family’s very long journey. We feel so blessed to have found our way to Surfside!
Scott Stalbaum
14:15 23 Oct 18
Surfside is a truly special place for me. Unlike other sober living programs that I’ve been in, Surfside showed me how to have fun in recovery as well as put the tools of recovery to use. They have a staff that truly cares and that only wants the best for its residents. I have been in several sober livings and halfway houses and nothing compares to how Surfside has prepared me for life in the real world. Thanks again to the staff, it truly is a special place.
neil kennedy
18:38 21 Oct 18
Surfside was exactly what I need to start my recovery. The structured environment was key to helping me rebuild my life and family and getting back to my children
Nicholas Vaughan
20:00 19 Oct 18
Surfside changed my life and helped me get my life back together. The staff is absolutely incredible, the activities always kept me busy, the house is always clean, but most importantly the inside work I was able to do on myself gave my mother her son back. Surfside taught me the tools that I will need in the real world to help me become the man my parents raised me to be. Thank you for helping me get my life back! Love you guys
Sean Atkinson
17:41 15 Oct 18
Surfside saved my life. Everything serves a purpose and at the end of the experience - the culmination of work proves to be necessary in continuing with a sober productive life.
Dave Simons
17:00 20 Sep 18
Surfside structured sober living changed my life in a way I never thought possible. I had lost all hope in ever having any type of peace and happiness in my life. After taking they're directions and following a few simple rules I now live a life of freedom and happiness. After 10 years of trails and tribulations, attempt after attempt to get sober surfside got through to me and helped me make the change I needed to live a life behind my wildest dreams.
Tyler Garson
13:09 16 Aug 18
There is no better place to turn your life around. I can say without a doubt that Surfside saved me life. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. A+ program. I couldn’t be more thankful for my time there and highly reccomed it to anyone struggling.
lynn R
22:39 21 Jul 18
We are pleased to have found Surfside. Ian and his staff provide a supportive and caring environment that allows the residents to transition back into society at their own pace while providing some piece of mind to their family members during the recovery process. The residents work on the development of some essential life skills and learn how to enjoy life again without drugs and alcohol. Ian and staff are responsive and truly invested in the recovery process of the residents. After completion of the program the young men are encouraged to stay involved with the Surfside community and continue to build the relationships they have started to develop there. There is a need for more programs like Surfside for those looking for a comprehensive approach to the recovery process.
David Megenis
21:01 05 Jun 18
As a professional in the field, it is an honor to give Surfside 5 stars. I like to refer to Surfside because I know my client is going to have a unique experience while being immersed in the 12 step process.
Kudos to Surfside for recently purchasing "Camp Surfside", I large piece of land that was acquired for the sole purpose of getting the clients outside and having some fun!
Thank you Ian!
Matt Blomquist
17:18 24 May 18
Surfside is a truly expectional 12 Step Based program and is a standard for what Structured Sober Living should offer. I have worked in the addiction services field for several years and can highly recommend Surfside to anyone looking for good treatment. I referred a family member of mine struggling with alcohol issues to Surfside over a year ago and he is still doing well today. The compassion, professionalism, and services offered at Surfside, truly provide their clients with the real tools needed for long term recovery.
Sagar Dave
15:46 06 May 18
I am currently attending this institution and it has provided me with a very structured life. I need the structure so I could build a strong foundation for my recovery. I have been provided all the tools for a strong recovery at Surfside and I hope to continue my life in a positive way in sobriety. I highly recommend this place if you are serious about recovery.
Timmy O’Reilly
00:32 02 May 18
Surfside was a place I went to after treatment without knowing anything about it, I thought it’s name sounded good so I went with it. What I didn’t know is what would come in the coming months(4). It’s a house full of young guys with different backgrounds coming together to work for one common goal. The combination of morning step Work(that took me through the 12 steps), sponsorship from recommended alumni, the various activities that bring the house together, and the house comraderey, set the tone for how and what I need to do in my recovery to stay sober. It’s a place where you can gain so much with hard work and a proper attitude. This structured way of approaching addiction worked for me thus far and it has given me the tools to continue to succeed in life after Surfside.
Lynne Sherman
15:48 27 Apr 18
I am so happy that my son is able to be at Surfside Structured Sober Living. Ian Koch and his staff are wonderful people. They held true to their word and kept me updated on my son's progress from Phase 1 all the way through to Phase 4. These young men need the life skills they are being taught-how to budget money, work the 12 step program, be responsible for chores and cooking. As they advance through the phases, they earn a little more independence. My son went to RCA in Mays Landing, NJ from there to Brace Bridge Hall in MD, and now resides at Surfside. He has nearly 7 months of sobriety and has progressed quickly through the phases. I am so proud of him and truly do not know where he would be in his life right now without Surfside. I highly recommend this facility because not only is my son now sober and alive, he has a whole sober network of friends and has learned many valuable life skills. It is important that these men learn to live without drugs and alcohol and that activities can be fun. Don't let your son trade his life in for drugs and alcohol, send him to Surfside. To my son this is a second family. Thank you so much to Ian, John P., Jared S., and all others at Surfside. HE couldn't have done it without you. Remember "One day at a time".
Sincerely,
Lynne
Nicholas Geissler
19:16 18 Mar 18
I am forever grateful to have gone through Surfside. The staff was extremely helpful in my early recovery, meeting me where I was at. Its life development program helped improve all areas of my life. I learned how to actually budget money, cook and clean (properly). I was introduced to a 12 step fellowship and a spiritual way of living. While living at Surfside I found a few new hobbies, like kayaking and paddle boarding. Lastly, Surfside gave me the opportunity to improve relationships, especially with my family.
Fred Geissler
15:06 01 Feb 18
Surfside provides the help and guidance for individuals who are looking to rid themselves of the burden of addiction. A structured program helps the individuals to understand that there is life after addiction. The owner and staff do a great job in making this new beginning a reality. I highly recommend this program.
Kevin Garbie
14:34 21 Jan 18
When all hope was lost and it appeared as though I had no options, Ian and the Surfside Staff were available to take me into their home and help me on my journey. The program offers not only the tools for recovery but also the skills to living a sober life. Along the way of learning how to live a sober life; Surfside is structured in a way to remind everyone that life is fun, enjoy it, one day at a time.
Even after moving out of Surfside the staff (and residents) continue to be a part of my life, as they have become an extended family to me.
I would recommend Surfside to any young man that is seeking the "extra" help and support on the journey to recovery.
Cindy M
22:31 18 Jan 18
We looked at Surfside as an option for our son who ultimately chose not to enter a residential program. We looked at several options and Ian was by far the best person we talked to. He returned calls promptly and was willing to spend as much time with us on the phone as we needed. He was genuine and did not give us a hard sell like some other places we looked at. His passion for and dedication to supporting the recovery of others is clear.