Native Directions Review
Manteca, California, an agricultural area east of San Francisco, is a haven for the recovery community and home to Native Directions, which was founded in 1973 in Stockton by three Native American friends. In 1975, they relocated to the orchards of Manteca. The city has flourished over the years and now Native Directions is at the city’s edge, but they are still treating clients with substance abuse issues at the Three Rivers Indian Lodge, using traditional medicine and spirituality.
Accommodations and Food
Located on three acres of property, the Three Rivers Indian Lodge is a residential treatment home specifically for men of Native American descent. Fourteen residents share seven bedrooms and two bathrooms, which are located on either side of the house. There is a library full of books, movies and music and an entertainment room with a television.
A staff cook prepares a weekly menu. These home-style meals include roasted chicken, vegetables, bread and salad. Breakfast items include eggs and bacon. While sugar is allowed, caffeine intake is limited to coffee—no caffeinated sodas or energy drinks.
Treatment and Staff
Native Directions is a big proponent of group therapy, or what they like to call “talking circles.” Their various gatherings include a Big Book study, anger management, fatherhood group, grieving group, disease-concept group and more. This 90-day, 12-step, post detox program also includes individual therapy twice a week where a licensed clinician administers CBT to all residents. There is no on-site doctor, but transportation is provided should residents need medical care. Though their clinician aids in dual diagnosis support, this service is facilitated off site as well.
Because Native Directions adheres to HIPAA rules and regulations, no electronic devices with recorders or cameras are permitted on their grounds. However, they do have phones residents can use—calls are limited to one 20-minute phone call per day (only during free time). Following a two-week blackout period, clients are allowed visitors though a request form must be submitted in advance. Visitation occurs on the weekends between 8 am and 7 pm.
A typical day begins at 5:30 am—breakfast is served at 6 am. Afterward, clients clean their rooms and then go to the gym from 8 to 9:30 am. Lunch is served at 11 am and dinner is at 4 pm. In between those times, residents participate in group therapy. There is an evening 12-step meeting on-site at 6, 7 or 8 pm, depending on the day and lights out is at 10 pm.
A total of 12 highly credentialed employees are on staff—a one-to-one staff-to-client ratio. During the evening, there are always at least two people to assist clients and watch over the grounds.
Extras
Rather than yoga and massage therapy, residents are given temporary memberships to a local gym, less than two miles away. They are also invited to participate in the sweat lodge, spiritual ceremonies and an annual Powwow. For extra-curricular activities, the men enjoy trips to the flea market and the movies.
The family program consists of individual sessions, scheduled on a per need basis, where the client has the option of being present or not. For out of state clients, Native Directions connects families with resources in their area. As part of aftercare, Native Directions operates a 90-day transitional living program in order to extend treatment and provide a sober living environment.
In Summary
Native Directions provides a culturally driven healing home for those of native, tribal descent. More, their recovery home understands the hardships many Native Americans face and does its best to help ease the transition into a better way of living by including family members in that process and offering long term sober living homes.
Native Directions Location
13505 Union Road
Manteca, CA 95336
Native Directions Cost
$600+ (30 days). Reach Native Directions by phone at (209) 858-2421 or by email at mona3riverslodge@aol.com. Find Native Directions on Facebook and Google+
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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.
