Substance Abuse Treatment at Phoenix House
“Phoenix House isn’t about drugs. It’s about change.”
– Mitchell S. Rosenthal, M.D., Founder, Phoenix House
Substance abuse affects one household in four and exacts a terrible toll on families, communities, and society at large. Few organizations have taken a more comprehensive approach to confronting substance abuse than Phoenix House—with a 40-year history of providing cutting edge treatment for the most vulnerable among us.
Our 150 programs in ten states serve some 7,000 clients each day, with both residential and outpatient services for adults and adolescents, including 11 residential high schools for teens. Phoenix House has always been a leader in the field of effective treatment and prevention programs, developing and using evidence-based practices that make sustained recovery a reality even for those whom other organizations shun: teenagers, single mothers, homeless or imprisoned men and women, and the mentally ill.
Clients of our short and long-term residential programs live and work together in a tightly-knit, highly structured, nurturing environment. Each client plays an important role in the life of the Phoenix House community, and each is respected as an individual, with unique needs and capabilities.
Similarly, clients of our outpatient programs find guidance and care suitable to their assessed needs.
Challenges…and Rewards
Life at Phoenix House is challenging, exciting and rewarding. Clients participate in one-on-one therapy, group therapy, seminars, vocational training or education programs, and supervised recreational activities designed to help them grow emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, and spiritually. Work is an integral part of treatment – as is having fun.
Time in treatment varies by program. The journey from substance abuse to recovery is arduous, but as literally thousands of our clients can attest, immensely gratifying. As they participate in the Phoenix House treatment process, our clients build new lives – taking responsibility for their actions, working together as a team, and showing concern for others.
Adapting
The Phoenix House method has been successfully adapted to a wide range of client groups and programs. For teens, we offer treatment at our Phoenix Academies – residential high schools that provide comprehensive drug abuse treatment for teens while helping them catch up academically. We run vocational training centers; after school programs; criminal justice programs and centers for women, and women with children, all geared to help individuals move along a path toward life-long recovery. Our treatment methods have been equally successful in outpatient programs for teenagers and adults.
We are proud of the work we do. But we are still more proud of the hard work our residents and graduates do every day: learning to live sober, productive and fulfilling lives.