The Hickey House

The Hickey House

ABOUT HICKEY HOUSE

Located within walking distance of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Hickey House is a long-term residential treatment program for men struggling with chemical dependency in northern Georgia, less than an hour from North Carolina. Founded by a married couple with a background in counseling, psychology, and chemical dependency treatment, the program emphasizes a natural, outdoor lifestyle to help clients develop a sober lifestyle free from drugs and other harmful influences.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

With an 11 p.m. curfew set in place, along with urine tests, drug screenings, and alcohol breath tests administered throughout treatment, the Hickey House philosophy is rooted in accountability and commitment. Residents also partake in a work-study program, as they are expected to remain gainfully employed throughout treatment.

Hickey House’s residential treatment program is highly structured and focused on long-term recovery. Residents attend group and individual counseling, mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, and are held to find sustainable employment within the community. There are also programs on sober living skills, vocational enhancement, financial responsibility, community living, and relapse prevention. To facilitate a smooth transition process, clients and their counselors take to aftercare planning prior to program completion.

Many graduates remain close by after treatment to assist current residents through a mentoring program, and alumni are encouraged to return each year for an annual Gratitude Dinner on the Tuesday before each Thanksgiving.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Per the facility’s website, all staff counselors are certified by the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, and are encouraged to develop personal relationships with each resident, with the goal of creating individualized treatment programs that guide each in figuring out what it will take to achieve a sober, successful life.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Close to fishing lakes, hiking trails, and state parks, the Hickey House retains the feel of a summer camp. Residents bunk two to a room in comfortable homes with huge front porches and breathtaking views. The setting is homey, not fancy. Residents meet weekly to plan meals and make a shopping list specific to their needs and wants. There are coffee pots and microwave ovens, along with large flat-screen TVs in the living rooms.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

Feedback from the five former Hickey House residents polled by Best-rehabs.com to date is mostly positive. Alum G.M.F. praised the “good counselors and location and program.” Similarly, alum Douglas, who cited the country setting as a key reason for his choosing Hickey House, rated the program an overall score of five out of five, adding “it was what I needed.”

Yet Carter, another alum, felt that certain staff members, having revealed personal preferences, were biased when it came to determining who stayed in treatment. “This isn’t how you keep a healthy recovery environment,” he added.

Nevertheless, Hickey House also received an above-average rating of 4.4 out of five stars from 13 Facebook reviewers as of this writing, where former clients consistently thanked the center for helping them put their lives back together.[1] “Saved my life” were words shared by two separate alumni, and that sentiment is carried throughout the site with numerous five-star reviews. Only two reviewers gave the facility one out of five stars, and neither of them left any written commentary.

FINANCING

The cost of residential programming is $125 per week.

[1] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hickey-House/146215102089598

The Hickey House Reviews

  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • Hickey House is an exceptional program for those who are serious about combating their addiction. I have been in other treatment places and Hickey House has excceded my expectations by far. Some staff members in particular and the main staff are outstanding. All are well educated and that goes a long way. Each has dealt with their own recovery and GET what addiction is. I am an alcoholic and I have found peace, and sobriety at Hickey House. The program in my opinion is for people who are READY for a change. All those who enter in to the program are given the tools for success. Sometimes people come and stay for a short time and think they know best. After returning to addictive addiction and realizing they DO need help, they are usually welcomed back. The environment is really like a sober college dorm. The houses are in good condition and each room has its OWN AC unit, GREAT for summer. I would highly recommend Hickey House to any male who needs to regain control of his life. Recovery starts at Hickey House A+++
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • I arrived at the Hickey House on 12-21-2010 and have been Sober ever since. I had a twenty plus year long active alcohol and drug addiction. The Hickey House allotted me to do my recovery first yet also maintain balance and freedom by choice to be out in the real world. The most effective thing I learned is to live program after leaving facility.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • When I attended the hickey house it only mattered if you had enough money to pay rent. Actual recovery wasn't that important. One of the staff members allowed people to stay just because he liked them or wanted to give them another change. This isn't how you keep a healthy recovery environment.
    Unfortunately some residents who are mandated by court systems are not able or willing to comply to our various policies designed to insure a safe, sober therapuetic environment. These mandated clients are in treatment with a completion requirement by a State or Federal Court, and non-completion results in sometimes extended incarceration. We work hard to help everyone who comes to the Hickey House adopt a new sober lifestyle. Unfortunately success is not assured and those who face legal consequences for not completing our program are often disgruntled.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • Had to go back again after 2 years. It was what I needed.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
  • Good counselors and location and program. 8 years clean. They have housing available after graduation