Teen Challenge – Middle Georgia’s Men’s Center

Teen Challenge - Middle Georgia's Men's Center Dublin Georgia

Teen Challenge Middle Georgia is a 12 to 14 month residential recovery program serving adult men. The program is designed to assist individuals with life-controlling addictions and behaviors. Teen Challenge has four phases: Induction, Discipleship, Training and Transition. ALL four phases are required to complete the program and completion is subject to the discretion of the staff. A student’s progression through the phases is dependent on: meeting the curriculum requirements, as well as, social and vocational progress.

ABOUT TEEN CHALLENGE – MIDDLE GEORGIA’S MEN’S CENTER

Founded in 1958, Teen Challenge operates multiple faith-based substance abuse treatment centers located throughout the U.S. While the organization offers programming for men, women, and young adults, the center in Dublin, Ga., exclusively provides residential treatment for men over the age of 18. To be eligible for enrollment, clients with any existing medical or dental concerns must complete treatment prior to intake.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Before beginning the program, residents must participate in a phone interview, provide a criminal history report, and submit lab results for infectious disease testing. The program itself lasts 12 to 14 months and consists of four phases: Induction, Discipleship, Training, and Transition. Clients’ progression through each phase is dependent on their meeting the curriculum requirements, as well as their social and vocational progress. All four phases are required to complete the program, and completion is subject to the discretion of the staff.

Teen Challenge Middle Georgia’s curriculum is faith-based and combines religious studies, individual counseling, group counseling, and educational workshops focused on character development and goal setting. Through the center’s vocational program and community service opportunities, clients learn job skill relevant to janitorial, automotive, and restaurant management positions. Additionally, staff work with clients to improve their social skills, values, and general perspective.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

According to its website, Teen Challenge Middle Georgia’s staff is led by a pastor. The facility offers a 1:7 staff-to-client ratio.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Teen Challenge Middle Georgia’s campus can accommodate up to 45 men at a time. Clients share bedrooms and sleep in twin beds. The center hosts monthly family days, and day and multi-day passes are available per the staff’s discretion.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The few alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this review submitted negative feedback for Teen Challenge Middle Georgia’s program. Chad, L.J., and John each gave the program’s treatment effectiveness just one out of five stars and warned others about the center’s lack of counseling and emphasis on manual labor. “There is no counseling of any sort. There is no family weekly updating unless u can afford tuition. There are no classes. All of the food is out of date fod bank food,” L.J. told Best-rehabs.com in a representative review.

On Google, four reviewers provided an average rating of 3.5 out of five stars.[1] While one individual was unsatisfied with the treatment their family member received, the two other reviewers who submitted commentary were impressed with the facility. “Teen Challenge is the BEST organization in the world in helping men and women overcome life-controlling addictions!” Shell wrote.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

Of the three friends and family members surveyed by Best-rehabs.com, one anonymous reviewer was pleased with the care their loved one received. They noted that they would recommend the facility, giving the center’s treatment effectiveness, the facility’s cleanliness, and the program’s family participation five-star ratings. “I have to say that this one must have something special, because my ‘person’ came out clean and on the right track,” they wrote.

However, Savannah and Mimi shared only harsh criticism for Teen Challenge Middle Georgia. Mimi reported that her son did develop a better work ethic while in treatment, but left the program no further along in his recovery than when he entered. “My son was forced to work many hours a week at a location that was off site and unsupervised. This is a Christian based program with very little teachings about God and treatment,” she wrote. Similarly, Savannah felt that the program lacked the faith-based elements it touts in its marketing materials. “They do not preach love , but judgement. The result from this program is not healing and is not salvation,” she wrote.

On Google, H.P. described the facility as “terrible,” noting the program’s emphasis on work and the lack of clinical staff. “They also make students in this program work like slaves while they are in the program … They claim to be a rehab facility as well… But have no nurse on duty. You got kids coming off the street detoxing off of heroin and other heavy drugs and they have nobody at this place to monitor their condition,” H.P. wrote in their one-star review.

FINANCING

One month of treatment at Teen Challenge Middle Georgia is $600. The facility does not accept insurance, but some financial assistance is available.

[1] https://goo.gl/Oluc4p

Teen Challenge – Middle Georgia’s Men’s Center Reviews

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  • Fantastic if you finish program...leaving early is not good
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  • I graduated from Teen Challenge Middle Georgia six years ago. I feel like saying "I'm clean" is ridiculously inadequate to describe the level of freedom I now live in. I entered the program as a daily intravenous user of opioids and stimulants, yet I left the program addicted to nothing. I also had almost no material possessions, only a pile of student loans and a commitment to do well at whatever God put before me. I now have an awesome, godly wife. I own a successful multi-state business, own a home and other real estate with no debt. I host a weekly bible study in that home, and actively seek to spread the good news of the freedom Jesus Christ offers to every kind of sinner. Do I say this to brag on myself? Heck no, every good thing in my life is from God and it all still belongs to him. I tell you these things to do two things: first, to boast about how God has miraculously transformed my life from misery and needles in my arms, to contentment and joy! Secondly, to give credit to the institution that provided the structure and opportunity to choose the obedience to the Lord that leads to life. I've heard the complaints of those students who wanted to run their own lives, and the whines of family members who could not let go of their codependent role. "Too much work, not enough counseling" or "too much judgment, not enough God." All of these complaints are the excuses of those who are unwilling to see to completion the difficult and often painful task of changing. I've said the same things, I've been one of those people. I feel compassion for them. But I was sickened by the thought that a family might miss an opportunity to see God transform their loved one because of people who are only passionate about being negative. They have the fruit of that heart, while so many others like myself and my family have fruit of a different kind. Life in Christ! No drug addiction, no depression, no worrying about death or prison! My parents didn't just get "the old Justin back" like they thought they wanted. Instead they got a new son, who would be a hard worker, become a good husband, and one who honors God! Is Teen Challenge Middle Georgia perfect? Of course not, the budget is tight, facilities sometimes wanting, staffing is difficult, and it's run by human beings. But God uses it to transform the men who are willing to see it through. And he blesses the families that are willing to say "no son, press though." That is the bottom line. I am in contact with many men who are proof of that, just like myself. You can do it, there is hope for the hopeless!
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  • An amazing place that transformed my son! He is counseled daily and has filled the empty parts of his heart with Jesus instead of drugs. His life is structured with daily chores and work. He has gained 40 pounds - he’s eating good! He is well rested and cared for by committed Christians who pray, accept and love him unconditionally. Teen Challenge is a life changing place!
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  • I know that the reviews are mixed becausof the varied issues and the state of people'sheart's but as I can only comment on my son's treatment. I can truly say that my son is a different person because he has been exposed to the only true and living God. I knew that there would be a change until he developed a personal relationship with Jesus. Well that is what has happened and he difference is nothing short of a miracle. I will tell anyone looking for a facility for their loved one, please do them and yourself a favor and sent them to Teen Challenge for the opportunity to experience a changed live through the power of our living God.
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  • If you want help Help can be found here. You get out what you put into anything. Teen Challenge has changed my life and the lives of many of my friends. The center in Dublin has a great team of people who serve and care for the students there and work with the families to overcome what addiction has done to them. Students do learn some useful skills that will help them after the program. They have devotions and morning chapel M-F with Classes and bible study in the evening. they also work with local Detox, mental health, and other community services providing complete and balanced care. Dealing with addiction is messy and these people aren't afraid to get messy to see you or your loved ones get clean and free.
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  • Our family received a very warm welcome. I went home knowing that my husband was safe and in good hands. Teen Challenge gave my children their father back. They became part of our family.
    Our family received a warm welcome. I went home knowing that my husband was safe and in good hands. Teen Challenge gave my children their father back. They became part of our family.
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  • Worst place any person can be sent to. Not a rehab but more of a manual work camp... OPPOSITE of Jesus. They use Jesus as a front to deceive people to think they are "good" and godlike. It's like a homeless shelter that makes you pay extra to stay there if that makes sense.
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  • There is no counseling of any sort. There is no family weekly updating unless u can afford tuition. There are no classes. All of the food is out of date fod bank food. All outside contact is monitored for their agenda..
    Disappointed and disgusted with this facility. They do not preach love , but judgement. The result from this program is not healing and is not salvation. But I truly believe it would cause people to turn away from Jesus and possibly run back to their addictions.
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  • Horrible place
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  • This program is called Teen Challenge, but is not just for teens. It's for all ages and a wide variety of issues. Being in and out of other facilities, I have to say that this one must have something special, because my "person" came out clean and on the right track. He has not once been in trouble again or struggled with an addiction since. He has excelled in everything life has to offer him now and even offers help to others in need. It's faith based and opportunities to work you back into the community slowly and effectively.
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  • My son was forced to work many hours a week at a location that was off site and unsupervised. This is a Christian based program with very little teachings about God and treatment. My son did walk away from the facility with a better sense of responsibility, he learned that through developing a better work ethic, but he was no further along in his addiction recovery. I did end up ultimately filing an international complaint against this particular Teen Challenge facility. Please know though that I believe in the philosophy of Teen Challenge when run properly. It is my belief that the Dublin, GA facility was an rare instance and that most facilities are more about treatment/ healing than work production. With many centers throughout the nation in operation, finding an effective one shouldn't be that hard. My advice, interview them extensively, ask a lot about their daily schedule, their recreation options, work expectations and any other pertinent information. Good Luck to you and yours.