Walden House

«If nothing changes, nothing changes».
This is a men only residential rehabilitation/​treatment house for addicts, newly released prisoners, and others that may be mandated participation by the powers that be. It is a «school of life» for highly dysfunctional men who have not experienced living in the outside regular world/​society with its rules, norms, and situations. As such, there are plenty of rules and some restrictions geared to get you as «functional» as possible in your allotted stay time. Abstinence is the rule here and if you use substances in house, you will be discharged. There is testing if you are suspected.
The first two weeks you will not be allowed to leave the premises but can use your cell phone. There are typically 4 or 5 men to a room, with a central bathroom and showers. Meals are three times a day and are prepared immediately before serving so they are mostly good, IMO.
Most of what you will do during the day is attend classes/​group discussions in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), anger and stress management, and socialization, as well as performing a «job function» such as kitchen or house cleaning.
An issue-​if you are in the «others» category who are there as a housing prerequisite or something else like a mandate from court, you will have to deal with being grouped in with the majority (addicts or previously incarcerated) and all that that entails. There is a lot of negativity and dysfunctional attitude that accompanies this situation, so be advised. Treatment by staff will be presented as either black or white, with no middle ground, i.e. you are an addict, you are/​were a convicted criminal. The relief from this «no middle ground» approach can be had with the individual therapists that you consult-​they will give you a more accurate and flexible assessment of your situation for you to digest and act on going forward.
That being said this is the only place/​organization I have experienced that actually ENCOURAGES YOU AND SHOWS YOU HOW TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER, hence the 5 stars! And, it is all practical and not theoretical! The counselors here actually have gone through addiction and incarceration and know what they are talking about. But more than that, they REALLY CARE about you and your recovery! They will give you the tools, and it is up to you to do the rest. If you seriously want and need to change your life, this is a good place to go.