ABOUT MIRACLE LAKE CHRISTIAN TRAINING CENTER
Miracle Lake Christian Training Center is a Christian-based residential recovery program for males at least 18 years of age who are struggling with life-controlling addictions. The facility, located in Etowah, Tenn., does not offer detox services.
TREATMENT AND ASSESSMENT
Miracle Lake’s treatment philosophy is faith-centered and revolves around strengthening residents’ relationship with God as they learn how to live life sober. The facility’s website describes five phases of the Miracle Lake program: repentance, faith, mind renewal, life in the church, and the life beyond.
To be admitted, participants must be detoxified for at least five to seven days prior to beginning the program, not be HIV positive, and have a financial sponsor present when applying for the partial payment option. Applicants must first complete and pass a personal or phone interview. Applicants who are incarcerated may schedule a jail interview.
The facility offers a structured schedule that includes group classes and group therapy, individual therapy and counseling, and recreational therapy. A resident’s initial stay typically is two months, however, it may be extended with no set time limit.
Residents are expected to keep up their personal hygiene and the cleanliness of their rooms on a daily basis and share kitchen chores. Residents are evaluated daily for room cleanliness, class participation, work habits, and general attitude. There are additional moral and spiritual guidelines that dictate what residents may and may not participate in during their stay.
Aftercare includes placement in a transitional living program in a different location, as well as assistance with getting a job, classes in managing money, and other supportive activities.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There currently is no information provided by the facility regarding its treatment staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AMENITIES
True to its name, Miracle Lake is located on a scenic lake, which is conducive to connecting with nature. The facility offers outdoor and recreational therapy activities for their residents, including fishing, canoeing, working out at the gym, and playing volleyball and ping pong. Photos on the Miracle Lake website show shared living spaces in rustic, well kept cabins as well as a well appointed kitchen, dining room, and common area with recliners and couches. The wooded campus includes a large main building, chapel, and outdoor seating areas.
While they are at Miracle Lake, residents cannot use tobacco products. After completing the first two weeks of the program, residents may receive visitors on Sundays at 11 a.m. However, girlfriends and fiancés are not allowed to visit.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing described their experiences as successful and pleasant. Alum Beverly wanted Best-rehabs.com to know that Miracle Lake was a “Lovely place, lovely people.”
The two other alumni went through the program many years ago, but had good things to report that carried over into their present lives. For example, alum B.B.G. gave perfect five-star ratings for the major survey categories of treatment effectiveness, accommodations and amenities, and meals and nutrition, and wrote, “I went to Miracle lake in September 2006 and I have been sober for almost 10 years!” Alum J.H. gave the same top five-star ratings and added: “I went through the program over twenty years ago. I still attend church there. It is a Godly place. Thank you God and thank you.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The anonymous loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com to date offered positive feedback, giving the facility four out of five stars for the major categories of treatment effectiveness, accommodations and amenities, and meals and nutrition. This reviewer also gave four stars to other metrics, including cleanliness, connectivity, exercise and leisure, recommending the program to others, and staff experience and training, as well as a perfect five stars for affordability. And this loved one commented that the program was: “Great for a friend.”
FINANCING
Pricing for an all-inclusive two-month stay at the facility is $1,200, including a $200 discount if paid in full on day of arrival; otherwise residents must make two payments of $700 each. The extended stay option costs $125/week. There is no indication of any insurance plans accepted.