At Teen Challenge New England & New Jersey, treatment recovery emphasizes Christian faith and biblical principles, with a focus on commitment, service, and integrity as core values to help recovery from drug and/or alcohol abuse. The goal is to offer hope and motivation, and provide the emotional training and life skills for young men to become happy, healthy and productive members of society.
ABOUT TEEN CHALLENGE CONNECTICUT IN NEW HAVEN, CT
Teen Challenge Connecticut, located in New Haven, Conn., offers residential treatment to men 18 years and older who are struggling with substance abuse and other “life-controlling” problems. The facility has nine other locations throughout New England, with two more currently under construction. In addition to facilitating residential recovery, Teen Challenge also hosts drug prevention programs for schools and local communities.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
To be admitted, clients should call the facility directly to determine whether the Teen Challenge program will be a good fit for them. The treatment program lasts for 15 months and is broken into five phases which are meant to gradually increase clients’ freedom and responsibility as they apply program curriculum.
Teen Challenge describes their treatment curriculum as a “Christian discipleship program.” The organization teaches that changed lives can be produced through scripture memorization, character quality studies, and Biblical application. Throughout treatment, clients receive daily programming that includes clinical counseling, class lectures, life and job skills training, and chapel services. If participants do not have a high school diploma, they are required to complete a GED while they are in treatment.
The Teen Challenge program also offers several unique features. These include the opportunity to participate in a choir and an optional six-month apprenticeship following treatment. The apprenticeship allows clients to continue living on campus while pursuing ministerial, vocational or leadership avenues, and comes with a small stipend.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at Teen Challenge Connecticut is primarily made up of graduates of the program.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
There is currently no information provided by Teen Challenge Connecticut regarding its living arrangements and related offerings. However, one alum surveyed by Best-rehabs.com gave the facility three out of five stars for accommodations and amenities, and five out of five stars for meals and nutrition.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing there has been one alum polled by Best-rehabs.com. Alum S.C. wrote that they would not recommend Team Challenge to others, stating that there is “no counseling” and “all they do is pray things away.” The alum gave the facility five out of five stars for cleanliness, and three stars for staff support. The alum wrote that the facility was not worth the cost: “Teen Challenge’s success rate is low.” S.C. reported that they relapsed one month after leaving the program and did not re-enter the facility: “I wouldn’t go anywhere near Teen Challenge again…It’s not worth 15 months of anyone’s time.”
On the facility’s Facebook page, which it can manage, there is an overall rating of 4.8 out of five stars based on 19 total reviews.[1] Many reviewers expressed that the program had worked for them and that they had enjoyed the religious focus of treatment. Alum R.M., who gave five stars, reported that he has been sober for nine years since completing treatment at Teen Challenge. He wrote, “God took me from living in my car cracked out, to getting my degree, owning my own home, and promoting me to running a worship ministry at a large church. The journey all started at TC New Haven, God is good!!” D.B., another alum, agreed with that viewpoint. He gave five stars and wrote, “God used this place to begin a transformation in my life that will last for eternity!!!!”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At time of writing, the only loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com wrote highly of the facility, and indicated that they would strongly recommend Teen Challenge Connecticut to others seeking treatment. The anonymous loved one gave the facility five out of five stars for affordability and three stars for exercise options. The loved one wrote that the facility “needs a lot more funding,” and added, “Excellent program with a very high success rate. Long history, over 50 years.”
FINANCING
There is currently limited information provided by Teen Challenge Connecticut regarding its costs. The facility’s website states that clients and their families are asked to contribute to the cost of treatment, but that financial assistance is available to those who are not able to pay.
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