Volunteers of America

About Volunteers of America – Columbus

Volunteers of America Fresh Start Recovery Center is a residential facility located in Columbus, Ohio. They offer help for mothers battling opioid and other drug addictions. They also strive to help pregnant women who are struggling with addiction have healthy children. When mothers struggle with addiction, newborns can struggle with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and Columbus has the highest rates of NAS in the state.

What I love about this treatment center is that they understand how important it is for babies to have a healthy mother. Mothers can stay with their children during this treatment program and get 24/7 support to fit each person’s needs. They also help mothers understand everything from crib safety to age-appropriate activities for children as they grow. Volunteers of America offers family and couples counseling, connections to community resources, and advocacy for women involved in the justice system. They also have parenting skill development, connections to housing, and aftercare planning.

Services include addiction and mental health treatment including medication assisted treatment (MAT). MAT allows women to use FDA approved medication to manage cravings and maintain stability so they can focus on recovery during treatment. It reduces the chance of relapse, which can easily result in overdose. Over time, as clients develop strategies to maintain sobriety, they can taper off the medication support.

This residential inpatient program meets the criteria for the American Society of Addiction Medicine Level 3.5, and it’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The goal is to break the cycle of family addiction and then provide women with recovery and peer support so they can maintain long term recovery.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Aftercare Support

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Inpatient

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.

Outpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

Sober Living Homes

Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

Treatments

Alcoholism Drug Addiction Dual Diagnosis Mental Health and Substance Abuse Opioid Addiction

Programs

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Staff

John R. von Arx III

President & CEO

Kathleen Atkins, CDE

Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & Ministry Officer

Tom Kmetz, CPA

CFO

Nicole Knowlton

Chief Development & Communications Officer

Michael Salois

COO

About Volunteers of America – Columbus

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