Bridge House is a long-term residential substance use disorder treatment program for men in New Orleans, Louisiana. The program is operated by Bridge House/Grace House, an organization that has provided addiction treatment services for over 65 years, serving individuals who are homeless, uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise without resources for private treatment. Bridge House is accredited by CARF International and offers care regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
A Three-Phase Residential Treatment Model
The Bridge House program follows a structured, three-phase residential model aligned with ASAM levels of care. The first phase, Stabilization, provides at least 20 hours per week of medium-intensity clinical and recovery-focused services over an initial 14 to 30 day period, during which residents have limited outside contact to allow staff to observe progress and help individuals begin to gain insight into their addiction. The second phase, Primary, delivers low-intensity clinical and recovery services focused on relapse prevention, emotional functioning, and personal responsibility, with treatment delivered through individual and group therapy sessions built around each resident’s individualized treatment plan. The third phase, Re-Entry and Transition, shifts the focus toward employment seeking, job placement, vocational training, and further education.
Treatment Approach and Services
Bridge House views chemical dependency as a permanent neurobiological disorder requiring ongoing compensatory strategies, and its treatment philosophy centers on addressing the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of addiction. Clinical services include individual and group substance abuse counseling, case management, relapse prevention programming, family treatment when indicated, and independent living skills development. The 12-step model, rooted in Alcoholics Anonymous, is integrated throughout the program. The organization also operates thrift stores and a used car lot that serve as social enterprises supporting program operations.
