A list of US non-12-step facilities

From Tom Horvath

Updated 12/24/07

Dear Colleagues,

I am curious to see if any discussion occurs about the following list. I created it because I typically need to refer to an alternative facility vs. a 12-step one. I'm not opposed to individuals pursuing whatever approach to recovery they want (keeping in mind that it is results that count), but most of the individuals who call me are well past wanting to attend a 12-step facility.

To my knowledge this list is the complete list of alternatives in the US. I welcome your corrections or suggestions. Many facilities have multiple programs, and are hard to summarize briefly (so if you don’t like how I described you, send me something).

If this list is well received, I may create a website for it.

Sincerely,
Tom Horvath
President, Practical Recovery Services
President, SMART Recovery
Tom.Horvath@practicalrecovery.com


My criteria for listing are:

  1. Facility (no solo providers)
  2. Full residential, or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) extensive enough that someone might travel to attend it
  3. No active encouragement of 12-step: no bait and switch, no step classes, essentially no mention of 12-step. I assume most would accept a client’s self-initiated choice to attend 12-step.
  4. No religious or spiritual requirements
  5. Not just a detox facility

Some groupings:

Medical Model: (all programs appear to be biopsychosocial, but these emphasize bio): Assisted Recovery, Brookside, Schick Shadel,
Expensive: (typically above $30k per month): Beau Monde, Chopra, Fernside, Moonview, Passages
Licensed Residential: Beau Monde, Brookside, Desert Canyon, New Opportunities, Passages, Rio de Esperanza, St. Jude (others may provide sober living home beds)

Accelerated Recovery Centers
http://acceleratedrecoverycenters.com/
help@iwanttostopnow.com
Atlanta, Georgia
877-786-7454
Program: for clients desiring to abstain from alcohol. Program emphasizes the possibility of full recovery. Clients never see other clients in their offices. Relatively new, growing rapidly. I met with owner, Kevin Kelley, Jan, 2007.

The Alexander Group
http://www.tagthealexandergroup.com/index.htm
info@tagthealexandergroup.com
Plano, Texas (north of Dallas)
866-399-BHBC (2422)
Program: Per website, an approach to help individuals recover from recovery and relapse by helping them listen to themselves, change direction, seek solutions and design their future. Presented as a 5-day workshop, by the director of this facility, max three participants.

Alternative Treatment International
http://www.jamaicarehab.com/
info@alternative2rehab.com
Clearwater, Florida (Central FL, gulf coast, near Tampa)
800-897-8060
Program: Emphasizes Mind-Body-Spirit-Environment, also treats emotional and eating disorders.

Assisted Recovery Centers of America
http://www.assistedrecovery.com/
lloyd@assistedrecovery.com
Phoenix, Arizona
(800) 527-5344, (602) 264-7897
Program: Pennsylvania Model, emphasis on both naltrexone and counseling. My colleague Emmett Velten, Ph.D., an excellent REBT oriented psychologist, is affiliated there. I visited about 2004, when they hosted a social event for the annual SMART Recovery conference.

Beau Monde
http://www.beaumondeprograms.com/
HKunzli@beaumondeprograms.com
Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, California (southern CA)
800-866-2948
Program: small, spa-like, individualized, designed for up-scale clients.

Brookside Institute
http://brooksideinstitute.com
laurent@brooksideinstitute.com
Newport Beach, California (southern CA)
866-405-8787
Program: combines cognitive-behavioral treatment with medical approaches including rEEG and addiction meds. Recently expanded into new offices, and additional residences. I visited in January, 2007.

Center for Motivation and Change
http://www.motivationandchange.com/
jfoote@motivationandchange.com
New York, New York
212.683.3339
Program: “We are committed to the science of change. Evidence-based, research-supported treatments, particularly motivational and cognitive-behavioral approaches are central to our practice and mission.” I am in regular communication with the executive director, Jeff Foote, Ph.D.

Desert Canyon
http://desert-canyon.com/
kellyn@desert-canyon.com
Sedona, Arizona (central AZ)
888-811-8371 ext. 21.
Program: One of the original alternative residential facilities. Whole person model, 10 beds. Long stays possible. Sedona is a selling point all by itself. I visited 2003.

Fernside Center
http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/patient/adult/adatp/mcleancenter.php
irwint@mcleanpo.mclean.org
Princeton, Massachusetts (50 miles west of Boston)
800-906-9531
Program: On a hill in a former bed and breakfast built in 1835, with a view of Boston. Program includes cognitive-behavioral, medical and alternative healing approaches in an individualized format. Affiliated with McLean Hospital and Harvard. I visited in November, 2006. I am in regular communication with the clinical director, Tom Irwin, Ph.D.

Harm Reduction Therapy Center
http://www.harmreductiontherapy.org/
patt.denning@comcast.net
San Francisco, California
415.863.4282
Program: Non-profit program, founded by Patt Denning, Ph.D., whose books have helped define the field of harm reduction psychotherapy for addictive behavior. Some programs and groups, as well as individualized harm reduction psychotherapy. Patt and I stay in contact with each other.

Moonview Sanctuary
http://moonviewsanctuary.com/
MMilner@moonviewsanctuary.com
(marketing)
Santa Monica, California (part of Los Angeles region)
866-601-0601
Program: I think this is the highest of the high end, $175K per year (monthly programs also available). Suitable for celebrities and others who want total privacy. Holistic program, beautiful, enormous suite. I visited February, 2006.

New Opportunities
http://www.new-opportunities.org/
newopportunities@bellsouth.net
Thomasville, Georgia (southern Georgia, there is also a Thomasville near Atlanta)
229-225-1380
Program: 10-bed residential, in the woods, secluded, retreat environment (no tv or internet, but movies, books, phone), low cost, great value, one-on-one daily, REBT and SMART Recovery orientation (including online SMART Recovery meetings), family component. Staff often joins clients for meals. This is the only US program that will accept a client who is on the waiting list for a liver transplant. I visited January, 2007.

Passages Malibu
http://www.passagesmalibu.com/
dave@passagesmalibu.com (intake)
Malibu, California (NW of Los Angeles)
(888) 777-8525
Program: emphasis on individual sessions, and the individual as the creator of his/her own reality. Approach described in The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure, by co-founder Chris Prentiss. I visited January, 2007

A Positive Alternative
http://www.apositivealternative.com/
[client needs to call to initiate contact]
Seattle, Washington
(206) 547-1955
Program: Including the Women's Recovery Center, Men's Recovery Program & College Student Tools to Prevent Addiction (for 18-26 year olds), emphasis on psychotherapy and motivational enhancement.

Practical Recovery
http://www.practicalrecovery.com/
Tom.Horvath@practicalrecovery.com
La Jolla, California (part of San Diego)
858-453-4777
Program: Completely individualized treatment plans emphasizing both individual therapy with multiple therapists, and holistic treatments. Highest concentration of licensed psychologists. Addiction component described in my book, Sex, Drugs, Gambling & Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions. I started this program in 1985.

Rio de Esperanza
http://www.riodeesperanza.com
stevee@minguscenter.com
Cottonwood, AZ
928-639-4440
Program:* *Rio de Esperanza at Mingus Center is a comprehensive non 12-step addiction recovery program with a holistic approach, including a balanced lifestyle of education, activities in our high desert environment and healthy choices for living. Steve Estes, Executive Director

Schick Shadel Hospital
http://www.schickshadel.com/
Contact-Us@SchickShadel.com
Seattle, Washington
800-CRAVING, 800-272-8464
Program: Aversion therapy, 10 day program. Aversion therapy creates a craving free time period in which other work can be accomplished. Without that additional work long-term effectiveness is much lower. Not all clients are willing to do it, but a great option for those who deeply fear craving, and willing to do the needed followup.

St. Jude Retreat House
http://www.soberforever.net/
DHidalgo@soberforever.org
Hagaman, New York; Wells, New York (both upstate), and Adair, Iowa
888-424-2626
Program: One of the original alternative residential facilities, 6 week program, low cost, great value. In a phone call with Marketing Director I was told that there is no religious aspect to the program.