The Magdalen House is not a treatment center, but through our First Step Program we provide a safe and comfortable setting for an alcoholic woman to physically separate from alcohol so that she may learn about alcoholism and begin working 12-Step spiritual principles to achieve sobriety. Since 1987, this cornerstone program has provided a 14-day, in-house stay to immerse thousands of alcoholic women in support and education from recovered women in the community. Because we are a non-medical program, we utilize a method called “Social Detox.”
Since 1987, this cornerstone program has provided a 14-day, in-house stay to immerse thousands of alcoholic women in support and education from recovered women in the community.
What is Social Detox?
Social Detox is defined by SAMHSA as:
“Social detoxification programs are defined as short term, nonmedical treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders. A social detoxification program offers room, board, and interpersonal support to intoxicated individuals and individuals in substance use withdrawal. The consensus panel has found that in actual practice, social detoxification programs vary greatly in their approach and scope. Some programs offer some medical and nursing onsite supervision, while others provide access to medical and nursing evaluation through clinics, urgent care programs, and emergency departments. Some social detoxification programs only offer basic room and board for a “cold turkey” detoxification, while other programs offer supervised use of medications. Sometimes medications are prescribed at the onset of withdrawal by healthcare professionals in an outpatient setting, while the staff in the social detoxification program supervises the administration of these medications. Whatever the particular situation might be, there should always be medical surveillance, including monitoring of vital signs, as part of every social detoxification program.”
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2006.
“…short term, nonmedical treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders. A social detoxification program offers room, board, and interpersonal support to intoxicated individuals and individuals in substance use withdrawal. The consensus panel has found that in actual practice, social detoxification programs vary greatly in their approach and scope.”
How do I know if First Step is right for me or my loved one?
We have an intensive phone screening that helps us individually evaluate each prospective participant to make sure that she is a fit for our First Step program. Our phone screening was written for us by a medical professional in the field of addiction and recovery, and our trained staff members conduct each screening. During our phone screening process, we ask potential participants very specific questions regarding her drinking history, whether she has had any medical conditions such as heart issues or high blood pressure, any history of seizures, currently prescribed medications, mental health diagnosis, and if she is withdrawing from anything other than alcohol. Once qualified, the woman may be able to be admitted as soon as that same day. For every screening that isn’t a fit, we refer her to at least three of our Community Outreach partners. In some cases, for example, if she is also struggling with an addiction to another substance we may refer her to partners like Nexus or Homeward Bound.
We have an intensive phone screening that helps us individually evaluate each prospective participant to make sure that she is a fit for our First Step program. Our phone screening was written for us by a medical professional in the field of addiction and recovery, and our trained staff members conduct each screening.
In other cases, if a woman does need medical detoxification first, she will be referred to detox in a medical facility. After receiving clearance from her doctor, she may be allowed to come to The Magdalen House immediately afterward where she will enter into our First Step Program for a supportive, educational environment. We work closely with medical detox facilities in the area who are familiar with our services in order to make this process as seamless and simple for our potential participants.
What is the First Step Program like at The Magdalen House?
While monitoring our participants physically, we provide them with education on the disease of alcoholism and help them establish a foundation of recovery. Our community has women in recovery that volunteer their time educating participants on the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, the curriculum used at The Magdalen House, while also serving as mentors (usually referred to as sponsors) – showing them precisely how they recovered from alcoholism.
Our appropriately trained program staff, all recovered alcoholics, and many alumnae of our First Step program, understand what each woman is going through. They provide supervision, encouragement, and instruction for each woman trying to get well during her two weeks stay.
Our appropriately trained program staff, all recovered alcoholics, and many alumnae of our First Step program, understand what each woman is going through.
Combining First Step with Community
To help ensure long-term, sustainable recovery, First Step participants are strongly encouraged to “stay close to Maggie’s” and participate in our Community program. The Community program serves as a continuum of care consisting of community, fellowship, meetings, and service opportunities available to all women in recovery, at any stage of her recovery. To learn more about our First Step or Community meetings, please contact us.
To help ensure long-term, sustainable recovery, First Step participants are strongly encouraged to “stay close to Maggie’s” and participate in our Community program.
