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