Damon House Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey

Overview of Damon House Inc.

Damon House is a rehabilitation center that helps people suffering from substance abuse and chemical dependency issues. Patients older than 18 years of age are treated for addiction and some co-occurring disorders at this facility. The mission at Damon House is to not only rehabilitate the people affected by addiction but also to help them in living an independent and sober life after leaving the facility. Damon House also strives to educate the public over the negative effects and consequences of addiction so that it could be prevented. The facility empowers patients and boosts their self-confidence so that they are able to believe that they can and they will overcome their addiction. This is achieved through their residential and outpatient programs which use different modalities and approaches to treatment. A multidisciplinary staff that includes psychiatrists, therapists, physicians, nurses, and social workers provides the best-quality care and services to patients. They are offered individual and group counseling, didactic sessions, and family education as part of treatment. The outpatient program offers two levels of care based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria. Clients are assessed and consequently offered a suitable treatment plan to help them in achieving lasting sobriety.

Housing and Food at Damon House

Damon House is situated in the city of New Brunswick in the New York City Metropolitan area. It is a 64-bed facility for adult men and women aged 18 years or older. The center is built in old, red-brick architecture. The center has one big building with different parts of the building designated for different units. It is surrounded by green lawns and courtyards. The interiors of the building are relatively modern. Clients stay in rooms that are adequately furnished. Each room is shared among two patients. There are twin sized beds, dressers, and closets for each patient in the room. Bathrooms are shared among residents of two or three rooms. Common rooms are available for clients where they can relax and watch TV. Group sessions and 12-step meetings are carried out in meeting rooms furnished with comfortable chairs. Damon House has in-house chefs and a licensed nutritionist. The nutritionist guides the chef in preparing healthy and nutritious meals for the clients with a variety of options. Meals are served in the cafeteria thrice a day where all residents eat together in the cafeteria’s sitting space. The nutritionist also considers special dietary restrictions or specifications of clients before preparing meals.

Treatment Options

The different treatment options available at Damon House are:

• Residential Treatment
• Level I Outpatient Program
• Level II Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• The following substances’ abuse is treated at Damon House:
• Alcohol
• Drugs

Therapies at Damon House

Damon House offers the following therapies to its clients:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• AA and NA Meetings
• Family Counseling
• Educational Lectures
• Relapse Prevention

Payment Options

Damon House was established to help adults suffering from substance abuse issues and co-occurring disorders. Their residential treatment is especially targeted towards the people who are suffering from addiction and have fallen into financial hardship because of it. Clients are assessed according to their financial situation. If applicable, a sliding scale cost of treatment is devised for needy people. Damon House also accepts some insurance companies’ plans for their treatment costs. Clients and their families are provided with the most affordable options of treatment during their initial assessment and admissions keeping in view their financial situation and ability to pay.

Licenses and Accreditations

Damon House has the following accreditations and licenses:

• Licensed by The State of New Jersey

Damon House Advantages

Damon House provides a safe and healthy environment of treatment for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. It treats those people with respect and dignity so that they may embark on the journey to recovery without any shame or guilt. Patients are counseled and educated about the negative effects of addiction so that they can learn to let go of it and prevent future relapse. Families and friends are also educated on the process to teach them coping skills. Through different levels of care in residential and outpatient programs, patients are offered the most suitable treatment according to their condition, gender, needs, and preferences. No patient is ever turned down because of their inability to pay for treatment. Damon House ensures that each patient is provided with the most affordable treatment according to their financial situation.

Staff at Damon House

Damon House is rated by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as a level III.5 care facility. The staff at Damon House is trained, licensed, and dedicated to making it a Clinically Managed, High-Intensity Residential Service. They treat patients with compassion and love during treatment to make them feel at home. Through their professional service, they are able to instill in patients the drive to continue their journey in recovery and lead a healthy, happy, and addiction-free life after their treatment commences. The staff also offers aftercare services to make the patients’ transition into society easier. The staff includes an ASAM-certified Clinical Director, Medical Director, LSADC/CADC, Case Workers, Licensed Psychiatrists, Family Therapist, General Physician, Nurses, Employment Advisor, and a Nutritionist. The support staff helps in the maintenance and smooth functioning of the facility.

Some of the staff members are listed below:

• Ileen Bradley – Executive Director
• Kim Erhart – Financial Manager
• James Johansen – Special Project Supervisor
• Michelle Vaughn – Intake Coordinator
• Dr. Allen – Director of Substance Abuse Services
• Dr. Henry Scharf – Medical Director
• Paul Hoffer – Clinical Director
• Tim Miller – Clinical Supervisor
• Marty Kaplowitz – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
• Ron Porter – Case Worker