Substance use disorder (SUD), colloquially referred to as addiction, is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is a chronic brain disorder characterized by the persistent, compulsive, and uncontrolled use of a drug despite harmful consequences. An individual that struggles with addiction will prioritize satisfying her drug cravings above all else, which can cause an array of unwanted (e.g., physiological, social, emotional, financial, occupational, etc.) outcomes. The path of recovery from addiction is not necessarily linear, nor will it be the same for every person. The journey to sobriety is a challenging and transformative process, and organizations like Friendly House play a crucial role in supporting individuals on this path. Friendly House can help in the journey to sobriety through its:
- Holistic approach: Friendly House embraces a holistic approach to recovery, recognizing the interconnected nature of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Incorporating holistic practices (e.g., yoga, meditation, etc.) can contribute to a more comprehensive and balanced recovery.
- Safe and supportive environment: Friendly House offers a residential environment that promotes healing with minimal distractions. Gender specific facilities, like Friendly House, eliminate many of the temptations that can arise when living in a co-ed situation. Research indicates that “destructive living environments can derail recovery for even highly motivated individuals.”
- Female-centered perspective: As an all-female treatment facility, Friendly House can prioritize and cater to the unique needs of women throughout every stage of recovery. Additionally, with the comprehensive range of services offered at Friendly House, it provides its clients with an element of consistency and comfort that encourages longstanding recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the length of time an individual spends in substance abuse treatment can directly increase her outcome in recovery.
- Personalized treatment plans: Friendly house is a high-quality residential treatment program that is acutely aware of the fact that everyone is unique with nuanced recovery needs. Therefore, to ensure each client’s needs are met, a customized treatment plan is developed that considers all treatment approaches, and incorporates the best possible treatment modalities, expressly geared to each female’s personal needs.
- Peer support: The sense of community and shared experience is a powerful motivator in recovery. Friendly House facilitates peer support groups, where individuals can connect with others facing similar challenges, providing mutual understanding, encouragement, and a sense of camaraderie.
- Aftercare services: Recovery is an ongoing process. Friendly House is well-connected in the aftercare community, which provides clients with greater access to follow-up counseling programs and other means of aftercare assistance in support of maintaining sobriety. Further, as a female-only program, Friendly House is exceptionally equipped to provide female-focused relapse prevention suggestions as well as a wide-range of female-centered aftercare resources to its clients.
Friendly House serves as a beacon of support, offering a multifaceted approach to address the nuanced needs of women on their journey to sobriety. It aims to help each client reclaim her dignity and acquire the knowledge, skills, support, and resources she will need to maintain a drug-free, intentional, and productive life.
For Information and Support
Substance abuse and addiction can be incredibly dangerous and can result in severe short and long-term consequences. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please get help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. There is no reason to go through this alone, and we are here to help. Please feel free to reach out to us for further information or with any questions regarding substance abuse or addiction. We are available anytime via telephone at: 213-389-9964, or you can always email us at: info@friendlyhousela.org
