ABOUT FRESH START MINISTRY
Fresh Start Ministry, located in Winnsboro, La., offers residential treatment primarily to adult men struggling with substance abuse. The organization also has a small women’s facility providing residential treatment for substance abuse. The mission of Fresh Start Ministry is to help clients obtain sobriety from drugs and alcohol and remain sober through developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The facility lists a 70 percent success rate on its website for those who complete the program.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility’s treatment program is divided into three phases, lasting a total of seven months combined. Phase one is for the first 30 days of treatment. During this phase, group and individual therapy are the main focus. Participants work to strengthen their relationships with God during this time by participating in daily prayer, Bible reading, chapel services, pastoral counseling, and social activities.
Phase two lasts 90 days. During this phase, participants will begin to work at one of the facility’s businesses including a thrift store, a lawn care service, a firewood service, a car detail service, and a janitorial service. The second phase will also help clients develop anger management and life skills all while focusing further on their relationship with God.
Phase three lasts another 90 days and during this time, the facility assists clients in finding outside work with a local employer. Any money made by the clients at this time is deposited into an individual account that is set up and monitored by the facility. Once the client completes the full seven month program, the money is released back to the individual. Clients also have the opportunity to finish their GED at this time.
Finally, there is also an optional intern phase after treatment is completed which lasts 6 months. The intern phase is an opportunity for the clients to mentor and lead others in their pursuit of sobriety. If a client has a full time job, s/he can continue to work while still staying at the center.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There are currently no credentials listed regarding the facility’s treatment staff which consists of various program directors, administrators, and coordinators. Alumni may also work on a volunteer basis as interns at the facility following treatment.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The facility offers more than 100 beds for male clients in a residential setting consisting of 48 shared bedrooms. The capacity of the female treatment center is not specified. There are few other details provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, two alumni were surveyed by Best-rehabs.com and gave the facility mostly positive reviews. One anonymous alum gave the facility five out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, five stars for accommodations & amenities, and five stars for meals & nutrition.
He strongly agreed that the facility staff were experienced and well-trained; that the treatment and services offered at the facility were worth the cost; and that he would recommend this facility to a friend or loved one who was considering rehab.
He felt that a strength of the facility was the Christian recovery program, but that the facility could improve upon its visitation policies. He also added, “This program is good for those who believe in God and Jesus & that hope and overcoming their addictions can be achieved through faith.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing one loved one of a client left feedback with Best-rehabs.com. The parent of a client, J.E.T., felt that the program helped her son rehabilitate from substance abuse.
She one gave the facility four out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, three stars for accommodations & amenities, and four stars for meals & nutrition. The loved one was involved in helping the client pay for treatment, visited the client during treatment, and agreed that the facility appeared to match up with how it was described on the website or other marketing materials.
The loved one added that the client stopped abusing addictive substances and that the client did benefit from the care they received at the facility. The loved one would recommend this facility to a friend or loved one who was considering rehab. J.E.T. added, “My son responded well to the Christian based program, and has since followed through with their teaching with continued involvement in Church and AA meetings.”
FINANCING
The cost of treatment at the facility is $500 per month in addition to a $500 induction fee which is non-refundable and due at the time of admission. The handbook published on the facility’s website at the time of this writing indicates that they are currently not charging for months three and four of the program. The facility does not indicate if they accept insurance.