ABOUT JAYWALKER LODGE
Situated in the picturesque town of Carbondale, Colo. in the Rocky Mountains, Jaywalker Lodge is an extended-care facility that provides long-term residential treatment, sober living, and outpatient services for men struggling with chemical dependency. It is one of 188 facilities in the state of Colorado that offers dedicated services for adult men. The facility’s name comes from page 37 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous — the story known as the “Jaywalker Parable,” which compares an alcoholic continuing to drink to a jaywalker continuing to walk into traffic.
Medical detox is not available on-site, though the facility does make referrals for detox services.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Jaywalker Lodge’s programming is strongly based on 12-Step, rounded out by experiential and adventure therapies that make use of the natural environment of the Rocky Mountains. There is a 97-day minimum stay, but some clients stay for up to six months.
Upon admission, clients participate in an initial assessment to guide clinicians in forming an individualized treatment program. New clients spend between three and 21 days in an introductory phase known as “The Landing,” which provides an orientation to both the facility and 12-Step.
Clients then progress to residential treatment at the Lodge, a 90-day program that involves individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings, and daily activities such as CrossFit, yoga, and general exercise.
A major component of the residential program is its Expeditions, or adventure-based, experiential therapy activities. Each week, clients have the opportunity to choose from a range of activities, such as mountain biking, white-water rafting, snowboarding, rock climbing, and more. Residents also perform service work within the community and have the opportunity to consult spiritual counselors. And families are encouraged to attend a four-day family program.
The Solutions Program at Jaywalker offers transitional living services, lasting 90 days. Clients continue 12-step work, start working or studying again, and volunteer with local nonprofits. Clients balance their new responsibilities and continuing recovery schedule with help from the staff.
Once a client graduates the residential program, alumni may be encouraged to transition into the Jaywalker outpatient program, which offers individual and group counseling in three-hour sessions, twice weekly. Jaywalker also operates three sober living facilities in the community and provides no-cost aftercare services for six to nine months.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Jaywalker Lodge employs a multidisciplinary treatment staff that includes a psychiatrist, licensed professional counselors, a psychotherapist, a spiritual and mindfulness coach, fitness and wellness specialists, expedition specialists, and support staff. To date, the nine individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com on the matter praised the aptitude of the staff.
Staff Experience and Training: 4.4/5
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Jaywalker features a well-equipped kitchen, plenty of meeting space, common areas with TVs, and fitness equipment. An on-site chef serves two meals a day, while residents prepare their own lunch. Residents are also responsible for some household chores. Although residents are not allowed personal laptops or cellphones, a computer is available to use at the residence. The sober living facilities are located across the street from the Lodge. The 10 individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com on the matter felt the facilities were extremely well-maintained.
Facility Cleanliness and Upkeep: 4.7/5
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
An overwhelming majority of the 13 alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing praised most aspects of the facility, specifically the center’s counseling and holistic offerings, as well as the amount of staff support available.
Staff Support: 4.5
Holistic Offerings: 4.3/5
Alumni also praised the facility for its effective staff, outdoors activities, accommodations, and eating options. Alum Sloane wrote: “I’ve always loved the outdoors and being adventurous, but my addiction stripped me of those things. Jaywalker Lodge taught me how to enjoy all of those things again.” However, two alumni did comment on the facility’s lack of structure.
Jaywalker Lodge also has mostly positive feedback on secondary sites, with a perfect average rating of five stars based on 42 reviews on Facebook (where the center can manage its own page), a perfect five stars based on six reviews on Google, three out of five stars based on four reviews on Yelp, and 3.5 out of five stars based on four reviews on CiteHealth.
The few negative reviews tended to stress that Jaywalker is not the best place for individuals who need a lot of supervision. However, many more reviewers praised the center’s active community and wholehearted embrace of a healthy lifestyle: “It’s a great place, town and community for guys that are truly ready to recover and stay clean. There is a huge support community. Learn to love life, get healthy, clean and fit,” Dan wrote in a typical comment on Facebook.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The six loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing also lauded the facility. Three of these reviewers were polled on the level of family involvement in the program, and gave it two five-star ratings and a three-star rating.
Offering five stars for the facility’s staff support, one anonymous loved one wrote: “I think one of the best things for my loved one was the availability of extended care after he left the facility.” Supporting this opinion and citing aftercare as a strength, parent Bonnie added: “The counselors and family program were excellent.” However, some loved ones did comment on the high cost of the facility.
FINANCING
Jaywalker Lodge does not publish specific pricing information, but notes that it does accept out-of-network insurance. The center’s staff will inquire about prospective clients’ insurance coverage on their behalf. The three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date on the center’s affordability gave it a three-star, a four-star, and a five-star rating.