Long Term Program

A long term treatment program for chronic substance users.

New residents participate in “Phase One” of the program. In this phase the individuals attend clinical groups, self-help meetings, and participate in completing household chores. Phase One is designed to acclimate the individual to the program. During phase one, the client may be assigned to a Vocational Training Partner or, depending on the skills of the individual, they may be placed on one of the FIRST at Blue Ridge internal crews.

“Phase Two” consists of working job assignments, attending self-help meetings (such as AA, NA, and Celebrate Recovery), and attending evening clinical groups. The evening group curriculum includes; 12-Step Study, Relationships in Recovery, Anger Management, and Relapse Prevention.

This phase helps the individual develop healthy and productive habits that will carry over to “real life.”  The client begins to demonstrate their ability to follow directions, and their desire to work the program is assessed and monitored. Work skills development occurs during this period and depending on the individual, a client may be moved through several of the training sites.

Upon graduation from the 12 month long-term program, individuals can apply to move into one of the transitional houses. If accepted, the client may remain for up to a period of one additional year to allow them to establish a firm foundation before transitioning to completely independent living in the community. This allows them not only a familiar and safe environment, but the ability to save money, build resources and gain strength in their recovery.

Clients are eligible for graduation after completing 12 months, all of the core curriculum, all assignments and other clinical activities deemed necessary by the clinical staff, have a working knowledge of Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous, and the maintaining of continuous gainful employment or college or trade school enrollment.

FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc. is funded mostly through contracts with local employers who act as Vocational Training Partners. FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc. has also received some additional support from grants and foundations and is always seeking new opportunities to develop funding streams. However the contract work and vocational training partners is where the clients learn, prove their ability to hold down a job and develop the work ethic needed to succeed in life as well as in the job market.

FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc. strives to admit only those who are committed to making positive changes in their lives. These individuals come from all walks of life and are referred by many sources including family members, friends, former graduates, other treatment programs, the judicial system, and probation and parole. However, they all have two things in common, the knowledge that they cannot go on using drugs and alcohol and the desire to get help. That journey to recovery begins with the FIRST step and we are here to help.