"FIRST at Blue Ridge logo featuring the words education, therapeutic life skills, aftercare, and technical vocational training, reflecting a comprehensive approach to recovery.

Overview

Welcome to FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc.


FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc. is a North Carolina licensed, peer-led, and peer-driven therapeutic community that utilizes 12-Step principles combined with an intensive clinical overlay to support individuals on their journey to long-term recovery. As a Modified Therapeutic Community, FIRST is dedicated to providing comprehensive addiction treatment in a structured, compassionate environment.

Our residential program is specifically designed for individuals with chronic substance use disorders, offering a wide range of services to address the challenges of addiction, homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the criminal justice system. These services include transitional housing, group counseling, self-help meetings, case management, and job-placement assistance, ensuring that clients have access to the tools and resources they need for sustainable recovery.

The mission of FIRST at Blue Ridge is to provide opportunity, guidance, and education to individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorders (SUD), empowering them to make positive life changes. By fostering responsibility, accountability, and personal growth, FIRST helps clients rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.

As a nonprofit organization governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, FIRST operates out of a campus in Ridgecrest, North Carolina, located east of Asheville along Interstate 40. The campus features an 85-bed facility for men, a 65-bed facility for women, and additional administrative, clinical, and transitional housing facilities. Each transitional house is self-contained and reserved for clients who have successfully completed their program curriculum. Eligibility for transitional housing is determined by FIRST staff based on the client’s readiness for the next phase of their recovery journey.

Clients admitted to the long-term program pay a modest program fee upon admission, with scholarships available for those with financial need. Once enrolled, residents commit to participating in program-contracted Vocational Assignments, completing clinical curriculum requirements, and engaging in daily responsibilities. This structured approach helps instill a strong work ethic and prepares residents for the challenges of independent living.

The Clinical Department offers a wide range of life skills and recovery-focused groups, including:

  • Anger Management
  • Relationships
  • 12-Step Study Groups
  • Recovery Maintenance
  • Stages of Change
  • Moral Reconation Therapy
  • Seeking Safety
  • Motivation for Recovery

In addition to clinical therapy, FIRST encourages active participation in self-help recovery groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), Celebrate Recovery (Spiritual) .  Residents attend daily on-campus 12-Step meetings and participate in community-based meetings, further reinforcing their recovery journey.

FIRST at Blue Ridge is partially funded through partnerships with vocational training partners and local employers, who provide job opportunities for residents while supporting the program’s financial sustainability. Additional funding is received through grants, foundations, and contracts with organizations such as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.

FIRST at Blue Ridge welcomes individuals from all walks of life, referred by family members, friends, former graduates, treatment programs, the judicial system, and probation and parole officers. What unites our clients is their shared realization that they cannot continue using drugs or alcohol and their commitment to seeking help. At FIRST, the journey to recovery begins with the FIRST step, and our team is here to support every client as they take that step toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.

The FIRST at Blue Ridge logo features a circular design often incorporating elements that reflect strength, growth, and recovery. It symbolizes the organization’s commitment to providing a supportive therapeutic community for individuals overcoming substance use disorders.

FIRST at Blue Ridge is a North Carolina-licensed, peer-led therapeutic community dedicated to assisting individuals with chronic substance use disorders. Their mission is to provide opportunities, guidance, and education to help individuals make positive life changes and become responsible, productive members of society.

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32 Knox Rd. Ridgecrest, NC 28770

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FIRST at Blue Ridge Inc. - A State of North Carolina Licensed Therapeutic Community - MHL #011-264 © 2024

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