Freedom From Bondage Rehab, Athens, Georgia

Freedom From Bondage is a women’s recovery residence, one of the first Athens, Georgia that reintroduces structure and responsibility to women who are going through various stages of recovery. FFB, as the residents refer to it, is a sorority-style residence that houses a maximum of 20 women at a time.

Despite the “bondage” in its title, the house is not solely meant for women who have left incarceration and are trying to re-enter society (although women in reentry programs are welcome to apply, as FFB is THOR ((Transitional Housing for Offender Re-Entry) certified). The “bondage” refers more to the difficult life of being a substance abuser and trying to free oneself from the captivity of addiction.

A Sisterhood

The primary goal of the Freedom From Bondage house is to provide a safe, structured environment to help women either achieve or maintain sobriety. After applying online or over the phone, the Program Director of FFB interviews all potential entrants. Women apply voluntarily, but other authorities such as parole officers or reentry coordinators can make referrals.

Women who are a suffering from a dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health illness) can apply, but their entry is not guaranteed. Each case is determined separately. If women with co-occurring disorders are accepted, they must continue receiving treatment by taking their prescribed medication or going to doctor’s appointments.

There is a $200, one-time entry fee and the rent, which is $110 per week, must be paid every Monday. Rent covers the basics such as a bed, storage space, and food. Other amenities on the property include a computer, telephones and a washer and dryer.

All women are expected to complete the chores assigned to them. Residents are also expected to keep working while they are staying at FFB. New applicants are given up to a week to find employment if they enter the program without a job. FFB helps you find a job by providing you with free bus tokens to get to interviews. You also receive other supports like free clothing and job interview skills training.

Learning Freedom

The women themselves do all of the work at Freedom From Bondage house. Cooking meals and eating together is part of the bonding process to make the women work together to achieve a common goal. Most importantly, the women learn from each other, providing guidance and support when necessary.

While there is no on-site medical professional or drug counselor, all women must participate in weekly 12 Step meetings that are a requirement of staying at the house. Also, house meetings take place twice a week and attendance is mandatory.

Although it might seem like authority figures are absent, there is a house manager who maintains order at home. There are progress reports kept on all residents at FFB, which can be delivered to the appropriate authorities, should they be requested and if some women are on parole or probation.

Rules must be followed at all times. Infractions come at a cost. All women are subject to random drug and breathalyzer tests, and any resident found to be using is expelled immediately.

Free at Last

As most stays at the Freedom From Bondage house last up to a year, it goes to show how much work is done to help women recover from substance abuse issues. Although there are no bells or whistles or extra frills associated with the programs offered at the FFB house that doesn’t mean that the program isn’t effective. FFB focuses on the basics and infuses them with meaning so that no other treatments are necessary.

Price for 30 days: $440 (does not include $200 entry fee).

Freedom From Bondage House on Social Media

Office: (706) 614-4964

Fax: (706)353-0657

Freedom From Bondage
PO Box 80744
Athens, GA 30608
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