THE PROGRAM

The Nazareth Formation House employs the Therapeutic Community (TC) approach to rehabilitating drug dependents. This method has been proven the most effective in rescuing drug dependents from their addiction. The therapeutic community is a residential unit in which "residents" live together in an extended family environment.

It features discipline with love and respect, and constructive criticism. The center teaches those with low self-esteem to deal with life's problems without turning to any form of escape like drugs, alcohol, gambling and other substance abuse.

In the community, the "residents" gain progressively higher status and responsibilities as they internalize socially acceptable behavior. Individual commitment to the community is emphasized, with senior residents and staff counseling new residents and serving as role models and rational authorities.

Unlike many treatment centers in the country, the Nazareth Formation House has no walls and no guards to forcibly hold its residents. Rather it relies on a wall of love and concern and the close cooperation of parents and family to keep the residents in treatment. Members of the community watch each other following the concept of "I am my brother's keeper".

The Nazareth Formation House is God-centered. Though it accepts persons of all faiths, its program features morning, noontime and evening prayers, spiritual meditations, religious services, Bible studies, weekly confessions, daily mass and monthly retreats. It believes that its residents need the help and guidance of a Higher Power as much as the support of the community if they are to get well.

Treatment | Reentry