The following are some of the centers I have used or that come highly recommended from colleagues. These treatment centers are recommended for people with alcoholism and drug addiction problems. Each has its specialty and focus.

Advance Recovery Center
This is a long term care program that focuses on addiction, dual diagnosis and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). It is 12 step based. Clinically it's specific treatment for those who have been diagnosed with PTSD, or have a history of trauma or abuse. It's also pet friendly allowing pets up to 25 lbs. Located in Delray Beach, Florida.

Alina Lodge
A 12 step chemical dependency facility for the "reluctant to recover". They've been providing treatment for over 40 years in Blairstown, New Jersey. The length of stay varies but the average is six to nine months.

Betty Ford Center
Offers various programs from first time treatment to returning patients who have had relapses and continue to struggle with their addiction. They have a thirty day program, a ninety day professionals program, a comprehensive family program as well as an outstanding childrens' program serving ages seven to twelve. The center is in Rancho Mirage, California.

Canyon at Peace Park
The Canyon is recognized as an elite treatment center in Malibu, California (Los Angeles area), It's a complete healing treatment experience addressing the comprehensive needs of individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, trauma, co-dependency, sex addiction, gambling, co-occuring disorders, chronic pain and chronic relapse. It's located in a beautiful, serene, canyon in the hills of Malibu, California.

Cirque Lodge - This is a private, world class residential drug rehab and addiction treatment facility. Two main facilities make up this mountain retreat. One overlooks Sundance, a ski resort in the Wasatch Mountain, a part of the Rocky Mountains Range. It's in a private peaceful setting. The Studio, at the bottom of the mountain features the world's largest indoor ropes course as well as an indoor horse arena for their equine therapy program. Sundance, Utah.

COPAC
This is a medically oriented, cost effective, gender specific facility treating chemical dependency, gambling, other process addictions and dual diagnosis. Brandon, Mississippi.

Cottonwood de Tucson
Treatment is based on a four to six week intensive program combining medical management, treating chemical dependency and co-occuring disorders. It's twelve-step based, with family involvement, group therapy and small, individualized specialty groups such as a young female program and a young adults group as well as adult chemical dependency treatment. Cottonwood features a challenge course as a therapeutic tool that reveals personal insights and teaches people how to work together to attain goals. Tucson, Arizona.

Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
While using the twelve-step programs, the Illinois Institute also involves intensive counseling, family and employer involvement, education and medical management. They are well known for their prescription drug addiction and pain management and have one of the most successful gambling programs in the nation. Peoria, Illinois.

Michael's House
A low-cost inpatient center for men only. This center utilizes a twelve-step program with regular fellowship meetings. Michael's House focuses on the development of constructive life skills developed through individual consultation, nutritional guidance, therapeutic duties, vocational guidance, self-exploration, group and family therapy, recreational programs and lectures. At the foot of Mt. San Jacinto, Palm Springs, California.

Pride Institute
Specializes in providing treatment to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities so that identity doesn't have to interfere with recovery. Emphasis is placed on comfort and safety, as well as being within a group of like-minded people. Centers in Minneapolis, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, New York City and Summit, New Jersey.

Sierra Tucson
Using the twelve step program as well as innovative therapies to address the person as mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Dealing with chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders . Utilizing psychodrama, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, acupuncture, chiropractic services, and yoga, as well as more traditional group and cognitive-behavioral therapies. In Sonoran Desert north of Tucson, Arizona.

Salvation Army Rehab
A no cost, adult, chemical dependency treatment program. The primary focus of the program is the work therapy, designed to improve the skills that many alcoholics and drug addicts often let slip. The center provides housing, group and individual therapy in a clean wholesome surroundings. Work therapy is an integral part of the program. A direct spiritual approach is necessary part of this overall program. Seattle, Washington.

The Bridge to Recovery
Targeted toward people who grew up in alcoholic, workaholic or other "driven" systems and are currently trapped in negative behavior patterns of their own, this residential facility focus on the core issues that create or contribute to negative behaviors. Includes short- and long-term phases. Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The Refuge - a Healing Place
An extended, twelve-step oriented program with a holistic approach to establishing the integrity of body, mind and spirit. Because each aspect affects the others, activities such as work and art therapy, horseback riding, yoga, working with the environment, swimming, sports, and bicycle riding are emphasized, as well as program components that focus on changing the emotional landscape, such as individual, group and experiential therapy, psychodrama, hypnosis, and mindfulness meditation. Ocklawaha, Florida.

Timberline Knolls
An innovative and purposefully built residential treatment center that serves the needs of women. Set on 43 beautiful acres just outside of Chicago, Timberline Knolls offers a safe and serene environment for those who desire to make real life changes.

The Timberline Knolls approach is an individualized, strength-focused program that combines evidence-based clinical services, and expressive therapies tailored to those struggling to overcome? eating disorders, chemical/alcohol abuse, self harming behaviors, mood disorders/co-occurring disorders.

Led by a nationally-known team of psychiatrists and psychologists, our multi-disciplinary clinical team excels in the treatment of complex co-occurring diagnoses.

Willingway Hospital
Started by a couple helping alcoholics in their home, the Willingway Hospital has grown over the last three decades into a hospital offering detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient, a family program and aftercare. Focus during treatment is on emotional stabilization, education about the illness, development of recovery resources and skills, and personal adoption of recovery principles. Statesboro, Georgia.