Metropolitan Serenity House, founded in 1989 by Anne Bush Ambrose to treat young men between the ages of 15 – 28 with drug and alcohol issues, came about after she lived through the successes and failures her own three sons experienced in their addiction treatment in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Using a 12-step approach, this primary treatment program is based on three additional pillars for success – teaching abstinence in a real life setting, encouraging clients to make specific plans for their futures, including education, and providing options for continued care following graduation including supervised transitional living group therapy and individual counseling.

Serenity House is located in the rolling hills outside of Atlanta on the shores of a small lake. The residential program can serve up to 16 young men at any given time. Most clients spend about four months in treatment. The option for younger clients to complete high school is available through the Avner Bush Academy. Upon completion of the residential program, clients can move into a more independent living situation for up to another 18 months. During this time clients are pursuing more education, working or both. The team members who work with these young men include a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse, family and recreation therapists, educators and experienced addiction technicians.

Serenity House demonstrates its commitment to those who they have served by encouraging young men who are living a clean life to come back as mentors and chaperones to the program’s recreational activities. Former clients who are trying to maintain their sobriety but having difficulties can re-enroll for up to 30 days at no cost.

Serenity House also maintains a separate residence for men up to 39 years of age who have been in treatment previously but have relapsed.

[This New Perspectives was written by our Research Affiliate/ Consultant Affiliate, Judith E. Bessette, EdD.]