Since 1950, Pathfinders has been providing assistance to individuals suffering from the disease of addiction. Our residential rehab offers long-term substance abuse treatment for men in a safe, structured, and pro-social environment. Our bio-psycho-social approach to alcohol and drug addiction, combined with the 12-Step philosophy, equips clients with the skills and tools necessary to live a healthy, productive, and independent life in sobriety.
ABOUT PATHFINDERS
Founded more than 65 years ago, Pathfinders is a non-profit organization in San Diego, Calif., committed to providing residential treatment for men with alcoholism and co-occurring disorders. The center claims to be “California’s Oldest Recovery Home for Alcoholic Men,” with more than 5,000 individuals treated since the facility opened its doors in 1950. Medically supervised detox is not available.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Pathfinders maintains three residences in downtown San Diego. All programs, which run three to nine months, use a social-model based on self-motivation and peer support along with the 12-Steps to help residents achieve long-term sobriety. The home describes itself on its website as an alternative to medical-based programs.
Residents attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings every day, and work for Pathfinder’s network of community-support projects to contribute to the cost of their stay. What sets Pathfinders apart is that instead of relying on trained therapists and counselors, treatment support is provided by program alumni and others in recovery, who will also act as sponsors through the Alcoholics Anonymous network.
Pathfinders also runs a shelter for homeless men who struggle with a co-occurring disorder. The “Shelter Plus Care Program” provides housing, meals, self-help meetings, and case management support to this severely under-served portion of the homeless population.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Rather than a typical staff of therapists and clinicians, Pathfinders is largely staffed by men who are in long-term recovery themselves through the social-model that adheres to the philosophy that people learn and understand best from others also in recovery.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The men stay in family-style homes that underwent renovations in 2014. The three residences are located in Golden Hill, San Diego, and currently serve 40 men altogether. The two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave a four- and a five-star rating for accommodations and amenities, and both awarded five out of five stars for the facility’s cleanliness.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
All three alumni who reported to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave a positive review. Many wrote that they were deeply thankful, and many feel the program changed their lives.
These alumni praised the staff in particular. Both alumni polled on the level of staff support gave five out of five stars. “The AA meetings held on site are some of the best in San Diego. The chef, Tim is an outstanding cook, making healthy, top-quality meals with love for the residents,” Patrick noted. “It is the finest treatment option I could imagine for any man seeking help with alcoholism and/or drug addiction.”
On the facility’s Facebook page, the facility earned five out of five stars from 24 reviews to date.[1] Many alumni commented on treatment effectiveness. In a representative review, alum Christie wrote: “The people here were so helpful for keeping me sober another day! You all made me feel so comfortable when visiting here from CT! I want to thank you again for the open hearts and arms!”
Pathfinders received equally high ratings on Google, where all four reviewers also gave the facility a perfect five-star rating.[2] Alum M.R. wrote, “This place saved my life and is a legacy in San Diego for long term sobriety and is the safest place to work the 12 steps and learn a new way of life!”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The three friends and family members polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave Pathfinders great reviews, all of whom provided perfect five-star ratings when asked if they would recommend the center to others in need of treatment. Loved ones gave four- and five-star ratings for treatment effectiveness, meals and nutrition, connectivity, family participation, facility cleanliness, affordability, and the program’s 12-step focus.
One loved one appreciated the focus on vocational skills. “This is a pretty good place for men to learn how to work a recovery program, they help and encourage job placement and structure,” R.T. wrote.
FINANCING
Pathfinders does its best to stay cost-effective for its residents, with the average cost per day at less than $50. The organization does not accept insurance.
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