More than half a century ago, Austin Ripley founded Guest House – with what at the time was a revolutionary mission – to treat Catholic clergy, and religious who suffer from alcoholism.
Ripley believed it was essential to treat chemical dependency in an atmosphere which affirms the special nature of the priesthood and religious life. He also knew that the most effective treatment should use the 12- Step recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous in order to treat a disease which is physical, spiritual and emotional.
Time has proved Austin Ripley right. Since its beginning, Guest House has been the means for more than 7,300 priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and seminarians to be released from the ordeal of active alcoholism and drug dependency and many maintain sober and productive lives.
