![Salt Lake City Utah]()
The Basics
First Step House is an all-male substance abuse treatment facility based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Originally incorporated in 1958, First Step House was founded by members of AA. The original building was in such disrepair that the owner allowed the founders to live rent-free for six months if they agreed to remodel the space. From that point forward, the First Step House has provided an environment for residents to begin their recovery journey.
Since its inception, First Step House’s services have expanded to include an outpatient facility, two residential treatment facilities and transitional living for individuals in need of a sober living environment. The outpatient program is well-suited for individuals who do not need intensive monitoring and are recovered enough to maintain employment and meet responsibilities in their daily lives.
Treatment and Staff
The outpatient program at First Step House is for adult men over the age of 18. Prior to enrollment in the program, all clients must schedule an appointment for a screening. The screening process is facilitated by an intake counselor who performs a full bio-psycho-social assessment. Clients are also drug tested at this time to determine if they require detox prior to enrollment.
First Step House specializes in providing services for individuals in need of dual diagnosis support. Medication management as well as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) are available on a case by case basis for individuals who have co-occurring disorders or those who would benefit from Suboxone treatment.
Each client meets with their primary counselor to develop an individualized treatment plan which determines the frequency of treatment and the plan of action for their recovery. Outpatient clients attend therapeutic activities anywhere from five to 15 hours per week. Group therapy is attended on a daily basis and individual therapy is scheduled twice per month. The primary treatment modality is Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) but other methods are employed including DBT and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). Motivational Interviewing (MI) is also utilized to help clients cope with the changes that enrolling in treatment can bring to their lives. The 12-step philosophy is also integrated into treatment.
There is no minimum or maximum length of treatment, clients may remain in the program for as long as they and their counselors feel is necessary. Groups and classes may be attended in the morning or evening hours depending on work and school schedules. The outpatient facility is open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 9 pm and on Fridays from 8 am to 1 pm. During these hours, clients attend therapy, psycho-educational classes and complete coursework focused on relapse prevention and developing positive behavioral changes.
All therapeutic activities are facilitated by a team of licensed and certified mental health professionals. Many therapists are Master’s-level practitioners with credentials including LPCs, CADCs and LCSWs. All staff members use evidence-based practices to assist clients towards their recovery goals.
Extras
A family program is in place to assist the family members of those in treatment. Outpatient clients’ families are encouraged to attend a family group once per week to work through any damage accrued during the active addiction process. On a monthly basis, families come together to attend educational courses that focus on learning the basics of addiction and how to heal the family unit to support their loved one.
First Step House is also dedicated to facilitating education and employment for clients. The facility partners with the Department of Workforce Services and Vocational Rehabilitation in the Salt Lake City area. The Horizonte Instructional Training Center also works with First Step House to provide high school graduation and GED education for clients who have yet to complete their studies.
In Summary
First Step House provides an outpatient program that sets clients up for success and long-term recovery. Through individualized programming and proven therapeutic modalities, First Step House diligently works to support the initial phases of recovery. Clients are mentally restored and then assisted through job and educational resources in the surrounding community. The family unit is also brought into the process so that the home environment supports lasting recovery.
First Step House
2200 South State St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
First Step House Cost: Sliding scale. Reach First Step House by phone at (801) 359-8862. Find First Step House on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
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Photo courtesy of Garrett from Salt Lake City (Salt Lake City, July 2011) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
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