ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY SARASOTA’S LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAMS
Located in Sarasota, Fla., 60 miles south of Tampa, the Salvation Army’s Life Recovery Programs provide residential treatment programs for adults struggling with chemical dependency, as well as chronic homelessness. One of a many treatment facilities operated by the Christian charity in the U.S., the Sarasota facilities do not provide on-site detoxification services.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The Salvation Army of Sarasota provides three distinct Life Recovery Programs: a Voluntary Interim Placement – Enhanced Recovery (VIP-ER) Program, a Community Recovery Program (CPR), and an Addiction Recovery Program for inmates. To determine an appropriate program within the community, applicants may undergo an initial substance abuse assessment. While the VIP-ER Program emphasizes life skills training through community agencies to help residents recovery, CRP focuses on spiritual growth to promote recovery. Both residential programs last for 10 weeks.
The Salvation Army’s (VIP-ER) Program is designed to both treat addictive behavior while preparing residents for independent living. The Life Recovery Program collaborates with six local agencies to provide residents with a range of services. For example, a local community college provides G.E.D. preparation and training, while First Step of Sarasota offers counseling services. Residents also have access to medical care, family services, employment readiness training, and social services. To address chemical dependency, VIP-ER introduces clients to the 12-step model of recovery. Clients attend 12-step meetings and “work the steps” while residing in the home.
The Salvation Army’s 10-week Community Recovery Program is similar to other treatment programs provided by the charity. CRP involves 12-step immersion, counseling, educational classes, and spiritual guidance. During residential treatment, residents attend individual and group counseling sessions, on and off-site 12-step meetings, and life skills workshops. As a Christian-based program, CRP also incorporates worship services, spiritual counseling and mentoring, and Bible study sessions into programming.
Along with its two community-based programs, Salvation Army’s Life Recovery Programs also includes treatment services for individuals incarcerated in the Sarasota County Jail. Available to both men and women, the jail-based program facilitates regular 12-step meetings (14 per week), as well as sober living skill workshops. Upon release, individuals are expected to transition into a community-based program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to the facility’s website, most treatment programs are largely facilitated by volunteers, who serve as instructors, recovery coaches, spiritual mentors, and counselors. Many individuals also have first-hand experience in the process of recovery.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Residential treatment programs operated by the Salvation Army typically house residents in gender-specific, dorm-like facilities. Facilities may also feature a recreation room, an on-site fitness facility, and chapel. One of the two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the facility a perfect five out of five-star rating for the facility’s overall cleanliness. The other alum polled did not rate this aspect of the facility.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com provided positive reviews of the facility. Alum R.L.M gave perfect for five-star ratings for the facility’s individual and group counseling, the staff’s level of training and experience, the respect shown to clients, and the facility’s ability to resolve conflict. “I came into rehab hopeless and drinking myself to death and they loved me and taught me the tools to maintain sobriety.” Offering a four-star rating for the facility’s overall effectiveness, the other alum wrote the facility offered “plenty of support.”
FINANCING
The Salvation Army’s Life Recovery Programs are provided at no cost to clients. Treatment programs are supported by the Salvation Army’s fundraising efforts and private donations.