Treatment Programs

He could be a pastor in a parish near you.  She could be a nurse in a neighborhood hospital or a teacher in a Catholic grade school nearby.  He could be a religious brother working in the soup kitchen or shelter downtown.

They all have something uniquely in common.  They are Catholic priests and male and female religious who have alcoholism or other addiction and all of them have been cared for at Guest House.  They are happy, healthy and enjoying renewed purpose, spirituality and ministry because of the donor-supported patient care programs of this place of hope and healing!

At Guest House we know that the foundation of our successful recovery program depends on the content and focus, but we also know there are other factors that contribute to our success. 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. We also believe that the special nature of the religious life for priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and seminarians requires special, personalized attention which honors not only their human dignity but their calling and commitment as well.

Experience tells us that a nurturing environment and a healing atmosphere help our clients to break through barriers which might otherwise be impenetrable. Addictions are not moral issues. The disorder can be successfully treated, and by treating the disorder, priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and seminarians can be restored to vibrant and productive lives.

Guest House provides a special community atmosphere for men and women suffering from addiction.  It demonstrates that they are not alone and that recognition of their dependency should not be a source of shame but rather the first step toward resumption of happy and purposeful lives.  Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of those who undergo primary treatment at Guest House are still abstinent after 24 months.

All Are Welcome

In a time when the Church continues to be challenged to provide enough clergy and religious to meet the spiritual needs of an increasing number of Catholics, Guest House feels a special urgency and privilege to help our Church maintain precious vocations!  That is why we gratefully accept any priest, deacon, brother, seminarian or woman religious who comes to us for care.  Each person arrives carrying "the baggage" of their disease--shame, guilt, and despair.  Even today, there are still many in our society (including our clients) who don't understand that an alcoholic or other addicted person is the victim of chemistry, not character.

Alcoholism is a disease. It has been officially recognized as such since the 1950's by the American Medical Association. There is no cure for alcoholism, but it can be treated effectively allowing the recovering priest or religious to live a life of sobriety.  At Guest House, most priests and religious leave our effective treatment program stronger, wiser, and better prepared to serve a world where chemical abuse such as alcoholism and other addictions are a leading contributor to poverty, crime and dysfunctional families.

Help those who are afflicted

Through our Intervention Assistance Program, we can help you to get someone started on the road to recovery, whether it’s early or late in the disease process.  The program is designed to cut through denial and to help priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and seminarians who may not think they need it.