Calvary Ranch Review
Calvary Ranch, also known as God’s House Ministries Inc., is a residential treatment facility in Lakeside, California, founded in 1975 by Pastor Tom McAloon and his wife Paulette. Before Calvary Ranch, the husband and wife team had already formed three rescue missions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, building the necessary experience and information to run a rehab of their own.
Accommodations and Food
The accommodations at Calvary Ranch are located in a dormitory setting; 16 single beds lined up in one large room, with communal bathrooms. There might be a sense of community, but not much privacy. While there is a television on-site, residents are only allowed to watch it after successfully completing 30 days at Cavalry Ranch. All food is served cafeteria-style three times daily; dietary restrictions can generally be accommodated and the food served tends to be relatively healthy. Cigarette smoking is permitted in designated areas but that does not include chewing tobacco, cigars, pipes or e-cigarettes.
Treatment and Staff
The motto at Calvary Ranch is that “God does the healing for you.” That mission statement is echoed by Calvary’s certified drug and alcohol abuse counselors, who rely on the teachings of the Bible to help clients get sober. Currently, Calvary Ranch’s treatment program is available only for men. In order to qualify for a place in the program, clients must already be completely detoxed and not experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms.
There are 14 and 30-day programs available as well as extended programs of 60 or 90 days. The cost of Calvary Ranch varies depending on the length of a client’s stay; still, the founders mission was to provide affordable treatment, and they have remained true to their word. While Christianity is not forced on any of its residents and no one is required to convert, Calvary Ranch believes that Biblical lessons help residents recover more completely than they would otherwise. The group sessions held are all based on the teachings of the Bible, and church services are held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Individual therapy is not a part of the schedule at Calvary Ranch.
A day at Calvary Ranch consists of a morning group about how to stay clean and sober, an afternoon discussion group and educational seminars in the evening, covering a variety of topics, with the goal of helping clients with coping and life skills. There are no cell-phones, pagers or technology of any kind allowed, and no reading materials (other than the Bible) permitted.
Aside from a handful of ordained ministers, the facility also employs six LADCs to guide clients through group sessions. Because the facility is non-medical, there are no nurses, doctors or psychiatrists available to work with clients and thus, no dual diagnosis support. Staff members are on hand 24/7 for prayers or guidance.
Extras
There is free time built into every day after morning and afternoon chores. Visiting hours are held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in conjunction with church services, which family members are welcome to attend.
In Summary
Although its marketing says that those who do not believe in God are more than welcome, Calvary Ranch is likely better suited for the religious—after all, the facility’s entire treatment treatment program is structured around Christianity. This is probably not the program for people in need of dual diagnosis support, either, but the extended length of treatment and the relatively open visiting policies are pluses for any program.
Calvary Ranch Location
13610 Willow Rd
Lakeside, CA 92040
Calvary Ranch Cost
$4,000 (30 days). Reach Calvary Ranch by phone at (800) 404-2258. Find Calvary Ranch on Facebook
Do you have a complaint or review of Calvary Ranch to add? Use the comments area below to add your Calvary Ranch review.
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
