ABOUT OUTER BANKS DARE CHALLENGE
Located in North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Roanoke Island in the community of Wanchese, Outer Banks Dare Challenge (OBDC) is a Christ-centered, residential discipleship program for adult men struggling with chemical dependency and other life-controlling problems. OBDC is not a medical facility, and clients must be drug- and alcohol-free upon admission, as detox services are not offered on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the center’s website, all prospective clients must have a one-on-one interview with the executive director before being admitted into the program. Individuals are required to show a true desire to change their current lifestyle. According to the facility’s website: “OBDC is based upon the fact that man’s basic need is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ…”
Each new client is subject to a two-week trial basis at the onset of the program and may be dismissed if he does not follow the rules set forth by OBDC. Those who stay become students, undergo a job skills assessment, and are placed in a work program, which typically includes assisting at the thrift store that partly funds the program.
In addition to regular church attendance and prayer devotions, the program includes discipleship courses, life consulting and biblical coaching, work ethic training, social skills development and fellowship, substance abuse counseling and education, and GED classes, if applicable. In addition, clients regularly participate in recreational activities, perform evangelism and community outreach, and have opportunities for choir and drama participation.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its treatment staff. However, the two individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing approved of the staff. Out of five stars, the two survey respondents gave four stars and five stars for the staff’s level of experience and training.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Daily life at OBDC is highly structured and strict. The center does not allow its students to have tobacco, cell phones, candy, gum, vitamins, vehicles, radios, CDs, iPods, tape players, TVs, flashlights, and reading lamps. Nor are personal books, magazines, or any other printed material allowed — only a Bible, devotionals, and the teaching materials provided by the facility are permitted.
All clients are assigned chores and must make their beds and clean their rooms every morning before the day’s activities begin. Men are expected to shave daily, as no beards are allowed. Clients receive three meals per day, which are prepared by fellow students, and they live in dorm-style apartments. There is a weight-room, which clients are eligible to use during recreation time after two weeks in the program.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
While Best-rehabs.com has yet to receive alumni feedback at the time of this writing, secondary sources revealed very positive alumni opinions of the facility. On the facility’s Facebook page, which the staff can manage, 86 individuals gave the facility an average rating of 4.6 out of five stars. Reviewers tended to praise the facility’s faith-based programming. “I never experienced so much of God given characteristics in a community. I was so blessed to be apart of a place that was so rich with faith,” Aaron, a representative reviewer, wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing both gave the facility positive feedback and noted they would recommend Outer Banks Dare Challenge to others. Both survey respondents also offered perfect five-star ratings for the amount of family involvement in treatment. One parent, Stephen, credited the facility with saving his son’s life and offered a perfect five-star rating for the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep.
The other loved one awarded five-star ratings for its treatment of co-occurring disorders, counseling options, and discharge planning. However, they did give just one star for holistic offerings, but did note the program promoted strong Christian faith.
On the facility’s Facebook page, other loved ones agreed. “Definitely a Jesus Driven place where God is at the center of everything. Lives and families are changed everyday because of that,” Savannah, a representative reviewer, wrote.
FINANCING
According to the facility’s website, there is an $800 non-refundable entrance fee. After that, OBDC “will help each student to establish a Good Samaritan Fund to help underwrite the cost for the ministry to operate while he is a resident.”
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