The Magdalen House First Step program provides a safe and comfortable setting for an individual with alcoholism to physically separate from alcohol so that they may learn about alcoholism and begin working 12-Step spiritual principles to achieve sobriety. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a place that feels like home, surrounded by people that have walked the same path of alcoholic despair, walking shoulder to shoulder towards a solution.
While there’s no way to really convey what the full experience is like, we can share what a typical day at The Magdalen House looks like during the 14-day period that an alcoholic is in our First Step program.
Because all meetings are open to alcoholics in recovery, clients are given the opportunity to find a sponsor and become acquainted with our recovery community several times each day. For more information about our meetings, please visit magdalenhouse.org/meetings.
Daily Schedule
7:30 am
- Rise and shine!
Clients are required to be out of their beds by 7:30 am. Breakfast is self-serve.
8:00 am
- Coffee and morning meditation
Each client picks a “Word of the Day,” a spiritual principle that they will use to practice throughout the day and together the clients read “On Awakening” on page 86 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12-Step curriculum used by The Magdalen House.
9:00 am
- Morning chores
Each client is assigned daily chores that allow them to start giving back and contributing to life in a small way. Clients are responsible for picking up after themselves, keeping rooms tidy, and making their own beds.
10:00 am
- Monday – Friday: Staff-Led Class
Steps 1-3 are taught by a staff member who is an alcoholic in recovery.
- Saturday: Yoga & Mindfulness
A gentle yoga class is led by a certified Yoga instructor
- Sunday: Personal Time
11:00 am
- Monday – Saturday: Personal Time
May include relaxing outside, reading, meeting with a sponsor, resting, light exercise, and socializing with peers.
- Sunday: Speaker Meeting
Recovered alcoholics share their knowledge of the 12 Steps and their personal experience with working the program found in the Big Book.
12:00 pm
- Monday – Friday: Big Book Meeting
A meeting focused on Steps 1-3 is led by a volunteer who is an alcoholic in recovery. - Saturday: Steps 4 – 9 Study
A meeting focused on Steps 4-9 is led by a volunteer who is an alcoholic in recovery. - Sunday: Personal Time/Lunch
1:00 pm
- Lunch
Lunch is self-serve.
2:30 pm
- Monday – Friday: Big Book Meeting
A meeting focused on Steps 1-3 is led by a volunteer who is an alcoholic in recovery. - Saturday: Big Book Study focusing on Steps 10 – 12
A meeting focused on Steps 10-12 is led by a volunteer who is an alcoholic in recovery. - Sunday: Personal Time
4:00 pm
- Wednesday: Personal Time and Family Visitation
Families and loved ones may visit in the meeting room. Family members must attend a family support meeting following their visit.
5:30 pm
- Dinner
Every day, one client is assigned the chore of cooking dinner and one other client may assist them. Dinner is a special time for clients to cook, eat, and spend time together.
7:00 pm
- Monday and Thursday: Speaker Meeting*
- Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday: Big Book Meeting
- Tuesday, Friday: Outside AA Meeting
*The First Monday of the Month is Birthday Night and is open to loved ones, families, and friends.
Family Support meets every Wednesday at 6:30 pm and is open to loved ones, families, and friends. Learn more about our family programs at magdalenhouse.org/family
9:00 pm
- Evening Meditation
One by one, clients share how they used their spiritual principle, a highlight of the day, three things they like about themselves, three things they are grateful for, and rate their day on a scale from one to ten. Once the daily review is complete, one client is chosen to read aloud “When We Retire at Night” from page 86 of the Big Book.
9:30 pm
- Goodnight
11:00 pm
- Lights out
