Blackburn Recovery Services runs sober living homes and sober apartments for men in West Los Angeles and has been serving the Westside since 2012. It is owned and led by its founder, Robby Patrick. It is part of The Blackburn Group, alongside Blackburn Clinical Services and Blackburn Monitoring, and is affiliated with The Blackburn Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Key facts about Blackburn Recovery Services
- What we do: sober living homes and sober apartments for men in recovery.
- Where: sober living homes in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City; sober apartments in West Los Angeles.
- Who we serve: men only, in both the homes and the apartments.
- History: serving the Westside since 2012.
- Founder: Robby Patrick, who owns and leads the organization.
- Part of: The Blackburn Group, with Blackburn Clinical Services and Blackburn Monitoring.
- Referrals: we do not pay for referrals.
- Phone: (888) 305-5422.
Who does Blackburn Recovery Services serve?
We serve men in recovery from alcohol and drug use. Some come to us straight from residential treatment. Some are leaving a hospital stay or a detox. Others have been sober a while and want a stronger footing before they live on their own again.
Our sober living homes are in four Westside neighborhoods: Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City. Each home is a shared house for men only. Our sober apartments are also in West Los Angeles, also for men only, and built for men who are ready for more independence.
Many of the men who live with us work full time. Others are going back to school at local colleges. A few are doing both. You do not need a job to move in. The point of the house is to make a normal, sober life possible, not to put life on hold.
How did Blackburn get started?
Robby Patrick started working in sober living homes on the Westside in 2012. He saw what helped men stay sober in the first year and what did not. He built Blackburn Recovery Services to run homes the way he believed they should be run: steady structure, honest communication and a real community of men.
The organization grew from there. More homes opened across the Westside. Sober apartments were added for men who had done well in sober living and wanted a next step that still kept them accountable. Over time the family of services around the homes grew as well, which is how The Blackburn Group came to be.
How does the program work?
Sober living at Blackburn is a structured home with full-time staff. The basics are the same in every house:
- Drug testing 3 times a week and daily alcohol testing.
- Weekly 12 Step meetings and goal setting.
- Medication management systems, and Vivitrol is supported.
- Food provided by the house at the Venice, Mar Vista and Cheviot Hills homes.
- Furnishings, utilities and WiFi included.
- Weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams, when the resident gives permission.
- Residents can work full time and attend local colleges.
- Tours in person or by video.
Blackburn Sober Apartments are different on purpose. They are fully furnished and month to month, with utilities and WiFi included. Weekly random drug and alcohol testing is the one piece of structure that stays. There is no curfew and no overnight permission. Men who live there are guests under a guest agreement. The apartments are open to anyone who qualifies, not only men who lived in our homes.
For a side by side look, read sober apartments vs sober living.
Who leads Blackburn Recovery Services?
Robby Patrick founded Blackburn Recovery Services and still owns and leads it. He has worked in recovery housing on the Westside since 2012, first inside the homes and then building and running them. He writes many of the guides on this site, and you will see his name on them. You can watch his interviews on our press and media page.
Day to day, the homes are run by full-time staff who know each resident by name. They do the testing, keep the house running, help with goal setting and keep families and treatment teams up to date.
What is The Blackburn Group?
Blackburn Recovery Services is one arm of The Blackburn Group. Related organizations support the same people from different sides:
- Blackburn Clinical Services offers outpatient psychiatry and therapy in Los Angeles. A licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services leads our free family support group. See also our clinical services page.
- Blackburn Monitoring offers drug and alcohol testing and monitoring. Read about monitoring and aftercare.
- The Blackburn Foundation is an affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds treatment scholarships and runs a creative arts community center. Learn more on our Foundation page.
We also offer sober companion support and sober transport for men and families who need help getting from one place to the next safely.
How do families stay involved?
Families are part of recovery, so we keep them in the loop. With the resident’s permission, families get weekly updates. We also run a free virtual family support group every other Tuesday from 6 to 7 PM Pacific. A licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services leads it. More is on our family support page.
How do we write and review what is on this site?
We write for men in recovery, their families and the professionals who help them. We describe only what we actually do. We cite outside research by name and year. You can read how we write, source and update our guides in our editorial policy.
For public figures on substance use, overdose and homelessness in Los Angeles County, and what research says about recovery housing, see recovery housing in Los Angeles County: the facts.
Questions about Blackburn Recovery Services
Who owns Blackburn Recovery Services?
Blackburn Recovery Services is owned and led by its founder, Robby Patrick. It is part of The Blackburn Group, which also includes Blackburn Clinical Services and Blackburn Monitoring.
How long has Blackburn been running sober living?
Blackburn has been serving the Westside since 2012, when Robby Patrick began working in sober living homes there. Today it runs sober living homes and sober apartments for men in West Los Angeles.
Is Blackburn only for men?
Yes. Every Blackburn sober living home and every Blackburn sober apartment is for men only. We do not run homes for women.
Where are the Blackburn homes?
Our sober living homes are in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City. Our sober apartments are in West Los Angeles. Men come to us from all over Los Angeles County and beyond.
Does Blackburn pay for referrals?
No. We do not pay for referrals. We want every man placed where he fits best, even when that is not with us.
What else does The Blackburn Group offer?
The Blackburn Group also offers outpatient psychiatry and therapy through Blackburn Clinical Services and drug and alcohol testing through Blackburn Monitoring. The Blackburn Foundation, an affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funds treatment scholarships.
Talk with our team
If you are looking for sober living for yourself or someone you love, call us or schedule a tour.
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.