“Hi, my name is Jose and I am a recovering addict.” I went through many years of denial, not wanting to admit, or even say that line out loud. But, as I sat around a bunch of open and honest people who had been in the same, if not worse, addictive situations, I slowly began to let go of my pride. Going to Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Celebrate Recovery is a requirement of most clean and sober programs, including AAHAA Housing. The acronym AAHAA stands for Alcoholics & Addicts Helping Alcoholics & Addicts.

Mark Hampton is the founder of AAHAA, who also struggled with addiction for many years. He happened to come across a friend who was running a clean and sober housing program, and this inspired him to open his own program. His heart was to help others who had the same struggle.

I first heard about the program through a friend. She had a son who was living in one of Mark’s 11 houses that AAHAA has to offer. He was making great changes in his life after being released from prison. At the time, it was exactly what I needed to hear. Especially since my life, my marriage, and my family was being destroyed as my addiction was out of control.

When I first arrived at the Maple Valley House, I was surprised at what I was looking at. My preconceived idea of what a clean and sober house looks like was not even close. The house was clean, calm, beautiful, and well kept — a place designed for healing and recovery.

Mark has 11 houses in the program, and each one is unique with its own culture. Each house provides all the amenities a person needs to live a normal life and productive life, including food, telephone, internet, laundry facility, etc. Some of the houses are coed and some are all male. Most everyone in the program is living each day for the same thing — and that is to be free of drug and alcohol addiction. The reason I say most, is because the program also offers affordable housing for individuals who cannot afford to live on their own, because of the cost of living.

Each house has a live-in manager, who has worked the program and has established a sense of loyalty and has shown to be responsible. People are encouraged to work, and they are allowed to go about their day as they would like, as long as they follow the program’s rules which are designed to help the clients reintegrate back into society.

This program has been a blessing to me, my family, and many others who have had to fight the battle of chemical dependency. I would encourage anyone who is interested in help for themselves or others, to reach out and contact AAHAA Clean and Sober Living — you won’t regret it!

Jose

“I was fortunate to find AAHAA after I got sober last year. They are a wonderful and supportive team. They have beautiful homes to offer in different cities and try to place you in a house with people that have the same type of personality or the best House Manager for you. They offer 2 weekly classes at the office. The staff and Owner really care and assist you in every way to help you with your Recovery.

Before finding AAHAA, I heard horror stories of sober living houses in which some included more drugs in the environment. This is NOT the case here! They provide structure, weekly check ins, etc., and responsible House Managers. They do not judge for your mistakes if you are honest. For most of us in recovery here, we try to root for one another and going to the meetings is a great way to be supportive of all the people that are living in the other houses. And from what I have seen from many that have been here for a couple of years, it is a family type feeling and support that has grown with the Case Managers and Management.

Cannot say enough good things about this Company. I haven’t came across one person, including ones that had to leave the program, say anything but positive things about staff, Management, Case Workers, or the Owner. They have saved many lives. including mine for sure! There are programs that AAHAA works with to get your Rent paid for, REACH being one of them!”

Cannot say enough good things about this Company. I haven’t come across one person, including ones that had to leave the program, say anything but positive things about staff, Management, Case Workers, or the Owner. They have saved many lives. including mine for sure! There are programs that AAHAA works with to get your Rent paid for, REACH being one of them!”

Reese

“Being a part of AAHAA has given me the opportunity to rebuild my life successfully. With their support I have been able to rebuild relationships with my kids and family. I have had the opportunity to get all my legal issues taken care of and put behind me. I have also been able to get my license back as well as my CDL.

I have been able to start and have 2 successful businesses going. With the support and help from AAHAA I have gained so much knowledge and support to stay sober and away from drugs and all negative parts of my past. I know I would not be who I am today or in the position I am in without the support of AAHAA, I would not be so happy. Thank you for all your support!”

Jacob

“I came to AAHAA while I was still in prison. I was incarcerated for having violations to the stipulations set forth in my Community corrections contract. This happened at the time the Covid 19 pandemic hit. We were not able to social distance in prison, so as a nonviolent offender, I was released from the prison to serve the remainder of my time on an ankle monitor.

I arrived at the East Kent house and was greeted by one of the residents. He showed me my room, the kitchen, and explained that the food in there was for the entire house. He showed me the laundry room. Everything was provided for me: Food, laundry detergent, bed, linens, everything. This was fantastic because at the time I only had the clothes on my back.

The house had a computer and internet which made it easy for me to connect with other support systems such as family to get more clothes and a bike. I loved that house. We had meetings 3 times a week, as well as a house meeting where we could voice our cares and concerns about how the house was running.

The time came for my ankle monitor to be removed and be off D.O.C. What a wonderful day that was! In the past I was prone to going right back to using when no one was watching, but I had built a great foundation for my recovery, things were going so good I did not want to mess it up. I continued to live in the East Kent AAHAA house. Then an opportunity presented itself for me to become a manager at another house. This was a relatively new house in Tukwila. I talked to Mark Hampton, the president of AAHAA. After an interview and some consideration, he approved me for that manager position. I am still here 7 months later. I have more responsibility with the program, and I also now have a great job working downtown Seattle. AAHAA has given me the tools I needed to get my life and self-esteem back. I am truly humbled and grateful to this program.”

Nadine M.