Along a dusty road, 56 miles away from Phoenix in Arizona City, is a place where dozens of people are going to transform their lives.
This is a very different type of drug addiction treatment center. While many traditional places us drugs to treat drug addiction, The River Source focuses on a natural holistic and homeopathic approach.
"We care about the body, mind, and spirit," said Jennifer Sanchez, the program director at the women's center in Arizona City.
She added that they had seen many addicts coming out of treatment centers, now addicted to the drug used to treat their addiction, like Methadone.
While in some cases they did administer small doses of drugs like Subutex were administered as withdrawals could be deadly, the patient would then be gradually tapered off the drug before their treatment was complete.
Sanchez said she had seen so many miracle stories coming out of the drug treatment center.
The addictions website spelled out their approach:
Our philosophy is one of holistic healing. Our addiction treatment center focuses on strengthening the mind, body, spirit and the emotional well being of an individual. We believe the disease of chemical dependency centers in the mind, therefore “our thinking” must be changed for successful recovery to take place. Although the body may be damaged by substance abuse, we know it can be healed through a combination of medical & naturopathic detox, nutritional therapy and an individualized exercise program. Meditation and yoga help reconnect the mind and body, as well as increase the feeling of emotional wellness. Working a 12-step program leads to a spiritual awakening that delivers fellowship. Through our holistic drug and alcohol dependency program, our clients gain physical, mental, and emotional tools to live a purposeful and fulfilling life in recovery.
Pregnant and alone, Marci Dougherty found herself admitted into The River Source when no one else would take her in due to pregnancies being a risk for withdrawal.
While it was not easy, Dougherty says the holistic approach has taught her a new way to live and how to see the world through sober eyes.
"I feel like I've learned more in the last two years than I have maybe all through my twenties," said Dougherty.
She called herself a "lost it all" story.
While many babies of addicts come into this world also severely addicted, Dougherty gave birth to a healthy, clean baby boy three weeks ago.
She called it a miracle.
"That is a miracle child. It's a miracle that I'm alive and able to talk about it right now," said Dougherty.
The place changed her life, so fittingly, Dougherty says she's even named her child after the facility, River Timothy Schulz.
"No other name could be more fitting. This place saved both of our lives," said Dougherty.
To learn more about the facility click here.
