ABOUT SYRACUSE TEEN CHALLENGE- SYRACUSE, NY
Syracuse Teen Challenge, located in Syracuse, N.Y., offers residential treatment to men ages 18 and older struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Teen Challenge is a faith-based network of treatment centers located throughout the United States. The organization was founded in 1958 and their core purpose is written, “To offer life transformation to individuals through Christ-centered programs.” The Syracuse location first opened its doors in 1975 and now operates a 20-bed facility to serve Western and Central New York.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility’s treatment program follows a holistic approach to rehabilitation considering spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational challenges. The residential program ranges from 12-18 months with the average length of stay 14 months for most clients. A typical day at the facility includes Bible devotions, discipleship training, and work projects followed by mel teams, chapel services and Bible reading prior to lights out for the night. Recreational activities are also interspersed into the daily routines.
Each client is assigned a personal mentor who has also graduated from the program and has been trained in the rehabilitation curriculum taught at the facility. Clients also work through Teen Challenge International’s Group Studies for New Christians along with other biblical studies.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team includes interns and staff who are graduates of the residential program and who have been trained in Recovery Mentoring. The Mentoring Department is run by a licensed Mental Health Counselor who obtained her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Counseling.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings. However, one friend or family member polled by Best-rehabs.com gave Syracuse Teen Challenge four out of five stars for accommodations & amenities and was neutral when asked if the facility was clean and well maintained.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
On the facility’s Facebook page, which it can manage, there is an overall rating of 4.4 out of five stars based on 17 total reviews. Some of the reviews were mixed but overall, most reviewers had a very positive experience at the facility. Alum W.H., who gave five stars, felt that the program was very effective for him. He wrote, “This is a place God brought me to that He used to change my life. It’s painful at times, but growth always is. I’m greatful to God and all the brothers/sisters there.” C.B., another alum, did not completely agree with that viewpoint. He gave three stars and wrote that he appreciated one of the pastors at the facility but had other concerns writing, “The program, however, is seriously lacking. ‘The inmates run the prison’ this is a last ditch resort.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing there has been one friend or family member polled by Best-rehabs.com. The loved one had mixed opinions of the facility and overall was unsure if she would recommend Syracuse Teen Challenge to another friend or loved one considering rehab. The anonymous loved one did not rate the facility’s treatment effectiveness and gave four stars for accommodations & amenities and three stars for meals & nutrition.
She agreed that family and loved ones were able to participate in treatment through facility programming and that the facility staff were experienced and well-trained. However, she indicated that there were not many counseling options to choose from depending on the client’s preference and the facility was not adequately equipped and staffed to treat co-occurring mental health problems in addition to substance use disorders. The loved one felt that a strength of the facility was that it is faith based and low cost. She felt that the facility could improve upon the meals offered, indicating that there was, little food selection, depending on the food donations. She also added that the facility, “Required participants to perform labor (shoveling, painting etc)… Attended mass daily.”
FINANCING
The cost of treatment at the facility is $450 per month along with a $450 non-refundable induction fee. The facility accepts insurance including Medicaid; some participants may be eligible for Home Relief Grant assistance which covers room and board during their stay. The facility indicates on their website that they are willing to work with individuals on a case by case basis regarding financing.
[1] Facebook reviews