At Bethesda Recovery, women learn how to break free from the ties of addiction by pursuing wholeness — physically, emotionally and spiritually. The faith-based rehab utilizes a biblical approach to recovery called the 12 Gates, which offers hope and healing through a spiritual encounter with Jesus. Therapy and life coaching is also offered in a safe and structured environment with 24/7 supervision.
ABOUT BETHESDA RECOVERY, INC.
Founded in 1994 and housed in a 100-year old Southern homestead in Waycross, Ga., Bethesda Recovery, Inc. is a nonprofit ministry offering a Christ-oriented residential recovery program for female clients struggling with substance abuse. Detox services are not available, but clients with co-occurring mental health conditions are welcome. Within the state of Georgia, Bethesda Recovery is among 17.2 percent of substance abuse treatment facilities that provide non-hospital, residential long-term care.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Based on a disease model of addiction, Bethesda Recovery’s treatment regimen modifies the 12-step recovery model with the 12Gates Recovery approach based on biblical scripture. The 90-day residential program uses actionable steps based on the Bible to instill a new lifestyle.
The first part of clients’ therapy revolves around the Book of Nehemiah and on rebuilding relationships and trust. The second phase is based on the Book of Exodus and emphasizes moving forward without falling back into old habits. The final phase focuses on goal setting and planning regular activities.
Clients devote most of their day engaging in Bible studies and individual life coaching. They spend the remainder doing chores and homework. Clients support the church community by participating in ministries for a food bank, donations, and a thrift store. Program expectations include cleanliness, chore completion, and confrontational skills development. Feedback collected by Best-rehabs.com suggests the facility also employs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during treatment.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Bethesda Recovery is run by an ordained pastor and her husband. The director holds a bachelor’s degree from Logos Theological Seminary in pastoral counseling and is a certified Christian life coach through the American Association of Christian Counseling. The center does not appear to staff any medical personnel.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Bethesda Recovery facility is an antebellum-style house with a six-foot swing and country rocking chairs. Official photographs show an attractive garden and comfortably furnished rooms. Saturday shopping trips to local malls, Wal-Mart, and other stores are offered along with church on Sundays. Amenities include an aboveground swimming pool, walking exercise regime, and movie nights,
Life skills classes for cooking, mowing, and other activities are offered. Children may visit after the fifth Saturday, and only family members are permitted to visit.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com submitted positive feedback about Bethesda Recovery to date. Two alumni gave perfect five-star ratings for the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep, while the other reviewer rated this three out of five stars. The three former clients also awarded five, four, and three out of five stars for connectivity and visitor policies, but all reviewers praised the program’s focus on religion. “Learning about Jesus Christ, and the Twelve Gates( part of this program) I found life and a future,” L.R. wrote, offering five stars for the staff’s level of training and effectiveness of individual counseling.
Reviewers on secondary sites provided favorable opinions of the facility to date: two perfect five-star ratings on Google and 4.7 out of five stars based on nine reviews on Facebook, which the organization can manage.
WHAT STAFF SAY
The one staff member polled by Best-rehabs.com to date, C.S., offered highly favorable feedback about the facility to date. C.S. rated Bethesda a perfect five stars for its staff loyalty and honesty in marketing. “Bethesda Recovery was founded with the individual in mind. They offer support to the women and give them a sense of belonging almost immediately,” they wrote. However, the reviewer noted the center’s low number of staff as a weakness.
FINANCING
Bethesda Recovery does not disclose information about fees online at the time of this writing. Details about insurance coverage also are not available on the website currently.