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Substance Abuse Treatment Services
The CARES 36-bed Substance Abuse Treatment Facility offers primary and secondary programs. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of people affected by substance abuse, poverty, HIV/AIDS and homelessness. People in recovery transition from dependency to self-sufficiency in phased programs in a safe and caring environment free of discrimination and social stigma. The program is funded in part by the Louisiana Office of Addictive Disorders.
In the 1990s, when people living with HIV/AIDS began to live longer because of new antiretroviral medications, CARES realized that all the safer sex knowledge in the world does not help someone who is too drunk or high to use it, or economically pressured to ignore it. We realized that substance abuse and unstable housing must be addressed to keep people living with HIV on their medications and people at risk of infection from becoming infected. We also realized that people living with HIV that did seek substance abuse treatment 1) usually faced HIV stigma or were told that discussing their status would distract others from their recovery, 2) were unable to sufficiently address the raw trauma of their HIV status in the traditional 28-day program, and 3) did not have enough time to stabilize their HIV medical treatment before being thrust back into the stresses of life in recovery with HIV. In 2009 CARES created a substance abuse treatment program specifically for the needs of people living with HIV, but where everyone is welcome in the caring, stigma-free environment.
Primary Treatment Program
The primary residential treatment program is a 90-day, 12-Step-based program of recovery designed specifically for persons with a substance abuse disorder who have HIV/AIDS. The program utilizes Recovery Dynamics and an eclectic therapeutic group therapy. Recovery Dynamics adapts the AA program to the 90-day cycle of treatment used in our program. Recovery Dynamics is supplemented with psycho-educational and self-help support groups beneficial for people living with HIV/AIDS. Clients focus on their program of recovery and stabilization of their HIV/AIDS condition with the ultimate goal of learning to live independently and successfully as productive members of society.
St. Francis
Foundation Seasons of Serenity Program
The St. Francis Foundation Seasons of Serenity Program is the secondary treatment program that lasts up to 12 months. The highly structured setting is an opportunity for people in recovery to change his or her life and the time necessary to make changes. Clients learn coping skills and address their needs within a group of peers who share similar challenges. The program is divided into 3 phases named after seasons of the year—winter, spring and autumn. Seasons have progressive goals, responsibilities and accountabilities. As clients progress through the seasons they earn freedoms as they move toward independence, and returning to society sober and productive.
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