Betty Ford Center
Located in Rancho Mirage, California, the Betty Ford Center is a well-known clinic that provides alcohol and drug dependency treatment services, education programs, and that specializes in the research of addiction recovery.
Its founder, former first lady, Betty Ford, created the center in 1982 after completing her own treatment for chemical dependency. Her main reason for the founding of the center was to offer a clinic that emphasizes the special needs of women.
Since its founding, the center has devoted precisely half of it space to women and half to men. More recently, special family focus programs have been added, offering alternative options for those affected by a loved one who suffers from addiction.
The Betty Ford Center offers a wide range of programming, including:
- Inpatient and residential month-long programs.
- 90-day treatment options.
- Clinical two-day outpatient diagnostic evaluations.
- Eight-week outpatient programs.
- Family and children’s day and evening programs.
The cost of these programs varies from $400 to $39,000. The clinic offers a free confidential assessment with a staff counselor in order to determine proper placement into a program. The clinic, which is open 24 hours a day for counseling and referral advice as well, can be contacted at the toll-free number 1-800-434-7365.
The following is information regarding the varying programs offered at the Betty Ford Center:
Inpatient
- Length: About 30 days
- Age: 18+
- Structure: On-campus residence halls, daytime treatment on-campus
- Focus: 12-Step Recovery; medical and psychological concerns
Residential-day
- Length: 30-90 days
- Age: 18 +
- Structure: Sober homes off-campus, daytime treatment on-campus
- Focus: 12-Step Recovery; medical and psychological concerns; establishment of a sober support system
90-Day Program
- Length: 90 days
- Age: 18 +
- Structure: Patients live in sober homes off-campus following medical detox, daytime treatment on-campus
- Focus: Primary addiction treatment; 12-Step Spirituality; intensive workshops in relapse; codependency and relationships; reflections and service opportunities
Evening Intensive Outpatient
- Length: Monday – Friday, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., 8 weeks
- Age: 18+
- Structure: Reside at home, intensive evening programming on-campus
- Focus: 12-Step Recovery; medical and psychological concerns
Day Family Program
- Length: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., available every week of the year
- Age: 13+
- Structure: Daytime on-campus schedule coincides with that of family member in inpatient care (not a requirement)
- Focus: Education on addiction provided to families facing addiction; support and guidance
Evening Outpatient Family Program
- Length: Monday – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., 4 nights
- Age: 13+
- Structure: Reside at home, intensive evening programming on-campus
- Focus: 12-Step Recovery; medical and psychological concerns
Outpatient Clinical Diagnostic Evaluation
- Length: 2-3 days
- Age: 18+
- Structure: Lodging at local discounted hotels, intensive daytime on-campus programming
- Focus: For licensed professionals and others who need diagnostic assessment to determine if they meet the DSM-IV criteria for “substance dependence”
Children’s Program
- Length: 3-4 days, Thursday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Age: 7-12
- Structure: Age-appropriate children’s programming offered during days at main campus and at affiliate campuses in Texas and Colorado campuses
- Focus: Positive coping promoted in process of help, hope, and healing; safe, supportive atmosphere provided
Admission into a program is based on the initial assessment by phone or upon the completion of an online admission application. Intervention applications can also be completed by a friend or family member of the individual seeking help.
Before the prospective patient is admitted into a program, a structured meeting will take place. A trained professional will guide the process between family members, friends, and the prospective patient.
For more information on the Betty Ford Center visit: www.bettyfordcenter.org.
