Our Guests

Turning Point provided me an opportunity to change my life. After multiple stays in rehab and multiple trips back to the detox unit, I needed to do something to take myself out of my environment. I needed to separate myself from my old life long enough to rinse my body from the toxins and also surround myself with other men who wanted to live differently than they had been. Turning Point was the perfect place to find structure and responsibility to get myself started on my journey to recovery. I got to talk with men who have been where I have been and where I am going and they helped me find hope. We all had to learn not only to abide by some simple rules for keeping a home clean and being accountable, but we learned how to get along with other people which is something I have struggled with in the past. I highly recommend this home as a first step in the journey to recovery, I don’t know where I would be today without it. Turning Point was a place to go when I had no where else to go and I will be forever grateful.
— Anonymous

I’ve been involved in the Central Contra Costa AA-recovery circles for over 20 years. I did not immediately put together long term sobriety. During my struggles to get sober and put my life back together, I have found it necessary to live in various clean and sober houses (SLE’s) over the years. Several years ago I relapsed after 6 years of sobriety and of course ended up broken, scared and alone all over again. It was then that I had the good fortune of being referred to Turning Point, owned & operated by husband and wife team “William and Suzanne Rainford”.

When I saw their houses I couldn’t believe it. Every SLE I’ve seen/been in was always filled with old, broken-cheap furniture. Her place felt like home and the “Quality” furnishing and amenities (TVs, appliances, cutlery, dinner plates/silverware, towels, shower curtains, Tupperware, cleaning supplies, etc...) told me they respected us instead of the feeling of being in someone’s money factory.

Will and Suzanne would rotate, each spending a different meeting night (Sun./Wend.) at each location to facilitate, instead of having some “house manager” run the meeting. The “Quality” of the house meetings were “far” better than my past experiences. And during the week they took time to get to know everyone in the house while taking an active interest in supporting..... even motivating us toward working a good 12 Step Program (i.e. meetings, sponsorship, steps, service and occasional house events like bowling night, etc...). And when I was going through it, she/he would spend one on one time consulting with me which was so important, especially when I really needed a friend to just be there.

But what most impressed me was the “Quality” of their personalized management approach. They were genuinely considerate. Never authoritarian, bossy or domineering. But always patient, kind and understanding which is commendable considering that they’re dealing with 8-10 newly sober alcoholics/addicts.

Let’s face it, living in a house with 10 other men is never going to be perfect, but if you need the winning edge for sobriety on your side, you’re not going to find a better experience anywhere. I am actually friends with several of my past roommates from Turning Point and we all stay in touch and enjoy good “Quality” sobriety together.

Looking back, I can now see why I had a quality experience. Simply put, It was because Will and Suzanne are just quality People, helping people have quality sobriety.
— Sincerely, Cirilo

I stayed at the Martinez house for 7 months. It was the best thing I could have ever done for my recovery and my family. What I got was another family that cared about my personal journey. Will, Susie and all the men at the house are now my family. They have all been there for me whenever I needed them. I would highly recommend any of their homes to anyone serious about their recovery program.
— Doug M

Turning Point Recovery leads its competitors in all areas! Will and Suzie provide a safe and supportive environment that promotes its clients to get involved with their recovery. During my stay at Turning Point, I was amazed at how invested they were at building a community in the house that encouraged their clients to support each other in their path to long term recovery. Between house meetings, monthly house recreational activities, and communal decision making, they have perfected a formula for an exceptional, fun, supportive sober living environment. While staying there, I have made lifelong friends that I have grown to love.
— Jim E.

Sober living is an excellent option for those looking to turn their life around, but not all sober living environments are created equal. Turning Point sober living was established with the goal of helping people recover from addiction and alcoholism, and the true dedication to this goal is apparent in their loving household environments. Will and Suzanne don’t just provide a place to be sober, but instill 12th step program values gained through years of experience in recovery.

I went to rehab at 23, miserable and out of options. I was terrified, depressed, scared, and alone. I had tried so many times to get sober on my own that the idea had become so intangible. When I found out I couldn’t stay as an inpatient at the rehab I was in, I felt like I wasn’t lucky enough to see the joys of sobriety. Turning Point responded immediately. The same day I called they got me a bed at a beautiful house full of people with long term sobriety. I instantly was welcomed into a brotherhood of happy sober people. I was taken to meetings in the area, always had someone to talk to when my sponsor was busy, and was shown by example how to live again as a responsible and accountable member of society.

Today I am coming up on two years of continuous sobriety. My alumni ties with Turning Point are strong. I still go camping with some of the guys every year, and I have the privilege of sponsoring a young man that lives in Turning Point. I am forever grateful and indebted to this sober living for helping to me to find a happy, joyous, and free state of being. Recovery isn’t easy but it is entirely possible for anyone, and Turning Point will help you when you are ready.
— Anonymous

I was a resident of turning point roughly three and half years ago. I’ve been sober for three and half years now as well, and my journey to long term sobriety began at turning point and it is a privilege that I now get to share my experiences as a resident there.

By the time I got to turning point I was simply out of options. I had lost my job, I was kicked out of my fathers house and was out of money. This was all due to my drug addiction and alcoholism. Prior to turning point I had been the guest of multiple failed rehabs and detoxes, attended AA meetings but simply was not able to find any kind of lasting sobriety. Rehabs were kind of my bail out plan when things got really bad but the gig was up, I didn’t have the money to go and my parents weren’t offering.

Luckily, I had previously been to a rehab with some guys who were now staying at Turning Point and I was able to reach out to them and got in touch with Will and Suzy who soon after were able to place me at the Concord Turning Point sober living house.

At this point I was beaten into a state of submission and willing to do anything to get sober and reclaim my life. But I had traveled far down the depths of addiction and I simply did not think it was possible to live a life free from drugs and alcohol and more importantly I didn’t know how to, however, giving up, for me, only left hospitals, institutions or death for my future. But Turning Point provided me with a place that gave me three of the most important things in early sobriety which is; accountability, structure, and safety. Early sobriety sucks, there’s no way around it, and the support I received through Turning Point in early recovery was so important because for me everyday was a struggle to stay sober.

But every day I knew that I was being held accountable by my peers at turning point in the form of random drug tests and check-ins, as well as active participation in a 12 step program with the guidance of a sponsor. And each day I had structure by having to adhere to house rules, curfews, house meetings and house duties. And while I was in the house I knew I was in a safe environment because Will and Suzy ensure it, they will never let a single individual jeopardize the group, and they work hard to ensure their houses provide the best circumstances for someone to succeed in their recovery. One of the most lasting impressions I have from Turning Point is from Will and Suzy’s participation in our recovery, I witnessed true recovery in action through the care and support they offered every person at Turning Point.

I spent three months at Turning Point, and they were some of the best times in my life. I developed close friendships that I still have today, memories that will last forever, and an experience I will be grateful for the rest of my life. I live a life beyond my wildest dreams these days, through my recovery I was able to reclaim my life, I have a great job, a nice house, and all the tangible “things” I never thought I would have, but none of that is really all that important, what’s really important is that I got my sanity back, a new freedom, happiness, healthy relationships, mental and physical health. All of these things I would not have without sobriety, and it is in my opinion that I would not have sobriety without turning point. I will be forever internally indebted to Will and Suzy for creating a place like Turning Point so a guy like me has a chance to reclaim his life from the grips of drug and alcohol abuse.
— Michael M

Turning Point was a major change in my life’s direction. I wasn’t to excited about the suggestion I go to an SLE because of what I heard but when I arrived it was totally different. Clean, friendly & supportive.
That was over 5 years and I’m still closes friends with many people I met there. Thanks.
— Gary WB

“Building a New Beginning.”

In early sobriety, when bridging the gap between treatment and independent living was an absolute necessity. When I stopped making decisions on what I wanted and started making decisions based on what was in my best interest, I found the cornerstone of building a solid foundation for my recovery in Turning Point Sober Living!
When responsibility, tact, and a sense of belonging to a healthy community were as foreign of an idea to me as the thought of living without drugs and alcohol had once been, Turning Point Sober Living showed me how to implement the tools of sober living in order to live happy, joyful, and free from the clutches of addiction. They taught me how to be one amongst many, conflict resolution, responsibility and to care for the consequences of my actions. They gave me a clean, healthy, structured environment to live, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Through my progression I eventually moved along to independent living where I implemented the structure I’d learned at Turning Point Sober Living. And when relapse came to my program It was Turning Point Sober Living that I turned to for help once again. They were most accommodating and sympathetic to my needs and I was fortunate to have been a guest once again. I reevaluated where I had made mistakes in comparison to what I’d been taught and implemented those proven actions that enabled me to quickly re-establish my independence and remain sober to this day.
I’ve had a such a wonderful experience with Turning Point Sober Living and cannot imagine what my live might look like without them and their community embedded in the soul of my sobriety today! I am both lucky and grateful for the experiences I’ve had and cannot in good conscious recommend any other facility or community that facilitates what Turning Point Sober Living provides.
— Raymond C.

Our Sponsors

This is an excellent solution for anyone looking for housing in early recovery. It is well managed by people who understand the necessity for structure and accountability along with compassion and consideration for individual circumstances in early recovery. It’s a clean SLE, in a good location close to BART, Safeway, Planet Fitness and downtown Concord.
Jim R
A grateful sponsor
— Jim Rossiter

Ronald Ottobre, SUD recovery coach, AA/NA sponsor
Turning Point Sober Living Houses 2/8/20

As a sponsor and recovery coach the most important factor in developing a successful path to addiction recovery is by beginning this journey living in a safe environment. This should be a place where there is a support team in place, people who model recovery, where there is accountability and also where it is a clean, attractive and organized living space.
Once the individual has committed to changing their life, whether coming out of a treatment facility or having made the decision on their own, a sober living environment is critical for the first few months.
In my experience with individuals that I have sponsored, or coached, who have lived in a Turning Point house they have received the best chance possible for a successful path to recovery and a new lifestyle.
Turning Point houses have “house managers” who have lived in the house for at least a year and who model how to be successful in recovery. All clients have to attend meetings, have a sponsor, have assigned house duties, have a curfew and must attend weekly house meetings with the owners. There is also random drug testing for obvious reasons.
Turning Point houses are also maintained impeccably, and the yard areas are attractive and are great places to enjoy some quiet time.
Unfortunately, I have witnessed SLEs that have completely failed to give live up to their mission statements and the results have been tragic.
Finally, in my experience, the Rainfords have consistently given their clients the best possible environment for recovery.
— Ronald Ottobre

From the Family

As a loved one of a recovering addict who has struggled with addiction for most of his adult life, Turning Point is like winning the Super Bowl trophy! Living at Turning Point has been one of the best parts of his recovery process for me (and he will say for him too) and it has changed his life in such a positive way.
The first thing I noticed was how neat and well-kept the house was. This first impression gave me peace of mind that my loved one would be in a good physical environment. Also, Will and Susie are responsive to the guys and their family members - they answer and respond back to phone calls/texts etc.
The second aspect which is more important to me is that Will and Susie believe in providing a stable environment that gives a lot of support and encouragement to the guys in the house. They are very involved – there are 2 house meetings per week and either Will or Susie is at each one. What has been most impressive to me is that Will and Susie are invested in each resident’s success. Recovery is up to the individual; yet they provide many tools and resources to be successful in recovery. They are fair but also believe in accountability – ranging from chores, curfew, substance testing, being active in life via work/education/recovery program etc. Oh - and the annual summer camping trip is pretty cool too! This accountability has a direct relationship to respect for oneself and for the other guys as well.
Turning Point is all about staying clean and sober!
— GJ

Turning Point was a lifesaver for my son. Susana and Will are remarkably gifted,
providing a safe and nurturing home environment with great skill and compassion.
My son was a reluctant participant in sober living and had always resisted being
“controlled” in any way. Yet he quickly developed great respect and affection for
both Susana and Will. I can understand why—although they manage their homes
with structure and accountability, they do so in the most humane way possible.
Their kindness and empathy help residents like my son know that they are
appreciated and respected as the unique individuals they are. This was a game
changer for my son. He learned so much through his residency at a Turning Point
home, developing skills that have enabled him to live successfully on his own. I’m so
thankful to Susana and Will and so grateful that my son had the great fortune to
know them.
— Anonymous

Our son, a resident of The Turning Point SLE in Concord, Ca. would unhesitatingly recommend his experience there, contrasting its many positive features with other past residential recovery experiences. First, the owners, Suzanne and Will Rainford, are very personally involved in the daily operations of the house, starting with meticulous maintenance of the lovely, well-appointed home and grounds in a peaceful suburban neighborhood. Second, they strive to create a cohesive, supportive community of recovering men, balancing safe-making structure and accountability with mutual respect while encouraging the freedom to make good choices. For example, they allowed our son to leave the program for a week to travel back East to assist his family during a medical crisis, while creating these accountability structures; (daily phone call check-ins, face time participation in house meetings, and sponsor contact) to keep him “on program.” Suzanne and Will both participate in these twice weekly house meetings, contrasting with the absentee owners of other SLEs, where folks are “on their own, free to come and go”, and to bend the rules of the mutual respect required of community living. As parents, we are grateful that our son is thriving is this safe harbor. Yes, the Rainford’s have created a successful business model, providing safe homes for recovery, but their business model is so palpably balanced with their compassionate care and their desire for each member to create a soul-nourishing, meaningful life.

From the Professionals

When it comes to referring any of my private practice patients to a male sober living facility, Turning Point is on the top of my list. Suzanne and Will are outstanding professionals , holding a solid recovery framework at their facilities that is second to none. Ethics and professionalism are very hard to find in sober living facilities, and Turning Point, in my experience, is a facility I implicitly trust with referrals.
— Scott Bobrow MA, LMFT