These are some common questions you may need answers for. Please read them carefully, and do not hesitate to call if you still need assistance. We are here to help 1.888.424.2626
Q. Are you a religious program?
A. We understand that the Saint Jude Retreat House name could lead people to believe that we are a religious organization offering a religious program, however we are not.
The founders of the Saint Jude Retreat House are Catholic and have chosen to honor St. Jude Thaddeus by giving the program his name. The Saint Jude Retreat House was built from the ground up through the hard work, generosity and kindness of others. There were many volunteers who helped to rebuild our houses and financial supporters who kept our doors open through the those first several building years. Oftentimes the founders went to St. Jude, the patron of hopeless causes, to ask for his help as they built the program and today they credit St. Jude for helping them to make the Jude Thaddeus Program the most effective substance abuse program nationwide.
With that being said, the Jude Thaddeus Program is not a religious program, nor do we teach people they must “find God” or spirituality to achieve sobriety as those programs have been shown to have much lower rates of success.
Q. I have tried other programs, how is your program any different?
A. We use a social/educational approach instead of the more traditional, yet less effective, medical/psychological methodology thereby putting control over a person’s recovery in the hands of the individual rather than a doctor, psychologist, or group. In line with the findings of the majority of independent researchers, our methodology has provided abstinence based success rates 10 to 12 times greater than programs using traditional 12-step treatment methodologies and has remained near or greater than 60% since 1992.
Q. I have legal/work issues, can you help me with them?
A.
We have worked with law enforcement agencies and officials throughout the country. Upon your request we can provide enrollment letters, completion letters, drug screening results and any other information requested by law enforcement to help you to fulfill your legal obligations.
Q. How do you measure your success rate?
A. Statistical surveys and analysis are conducted by an independent research organization. A random sampling of approximately 200 graduates are contacted and surveyed annually. Then a second phone call is made to a corroborating witness for each graduate, usually the person who provided the financial help for the guest to attend our program. Sober statistics are based on abstinence from all substances. Those graduates who have successfully moderated their alcohol and/or drug use fall into the drunk/using category for the purposes of statistical analysis.
Q. What are your credentials?
A.
We are regulated by the NYS Dept. of Health & NYS Attorney General Bureau of Charities. We are a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Our instructors are New York State Certified Teachers or Teacher’s Assistants and have been provided extensive training by Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. to teach the Jude Thaddeus Program.
Q. Where does your research originate?
A. Baldwin Research Institute, our parent company, has been conducting research since the 1980’s and continues to develop and track effective approaches to substance abuse. Visit them at www.baldwinresearch.com.
Q. Is 6 weeks long enough or is there an aftercare program?
A.
While 6 weeks seems a short period of time to change one’s entire life, for 85% of those who complete the program, it is long enough to create a new way of life, but for those that feel the need for additional help we offer the Jude Thaddeus Continuing Education Program .
Q. What is the staff to guest ratio?
A. Within each house it is 1 staff member per 2 guests.
Q. Do I need to detox?
A. Detoxification is not required; however we suggest detoxing in a medical facility if necessary prior to arriving. The Retreat House™ is not a medical facility.
Q. Is there a waiting list or can I come right away?
A. There is an average waiting period of 1-5 weeks, but immediate openings are available on occasion, and people can and do move up in the event of a cancellation or postponement. Call for availability at 1-888-424-2626.
Q. What if someone does not want to stay?
A. Even the most reluctant guests become open to the program once they experience the pleasant home-like atmosphere and see that they are guests in our home rather than patients in a facility. They are treated with the kindness and respect you would offer a good friend, and are shown that getting well is a pleasure not a punishment. An average of 9 out of 10 people who enter our program complete it. Partial refunds are provided based on a prorated scale if a guest decides to leave voluntarily.
Q. How do you keep the environment drug-free and safe?
A. We have a policy in place that if anyone drinks or uses drugs recreationally while enrolled, they will be expelled from the program with no refund. Random drug tests are conducted throughout the six-week stay.
Replacement therapy medication such as but not limited to: Methadone, Suboxone or Subutex, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Revia, and Vivitrol, are not permitted at the Retreat House.
Q. How much does it cost? And do you accept insurance?
A.
As Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. is a not-for-profit research organization, the cost of the Jude Thaddeus Program is 1/3 the cost of most traditional in-patient treatment programs. We also have financing programs available. In our continuing efforts to keep our costs as low as possible we do not work with insurance companies or accept medical insurance. Furthermore our research has shown that people who have received full scholarships or have insurance pay for their stay have much lower rates of success that those who take financial responsibility for the cost of the program by either paying for themselves or raising the funds through their friends, employers and family. When people are ready to change their lives, the more they become personally responsible in effecting this change, the greater the chances that they will be successful.
Q. I have no money, is there any scholarship or financing available?
A. Financing is Available, Call for more information |