Bridges of Iowa

About Bridges of Iowa

Bridges of Iowa is an organization that operates out of Des Moines, Iowa. This nonprofit works with individuals who have not found success with traditional treatment for their drug and alcohol use struggles.

This program focuses primarily on individuals who have struggled with long term substance use and don’t know where else to turn. The program is highly structured and includes residential treatment, halfway house treatment, outpatient care, and a graduation ceremony once you complete the program.

A lot of the people they serve are individuals who have been recently released from jail, often because they were charged with an offense that was brought on by their addiction struggles. This program is state funded.

Compassionate Care in a Supportive Community

Bridges of Iowa operates in a building that’s in an unlocked wing of the Polk County Jail. You are not an inmate here and are free to leave the facility, work, wear your own clothes, etc. The facility is strategically located as it primarily serves individuals transitioning out of jail.

Although their building has a very institutionalized feel, you’ll find that the care team here is incredibly compassionate, supportive, and committed to getting to know you as an individual and what you want your future to look like.

Structured Care

Bridges of Iowa takes a recovery approach that recognizes it takes time, continued effort, and wrap around support to help individuals who are struggling with long term substance use.

Both the residential and halfway homes take a structured approach. You’ll be part of 12 step recovery groups, be engaged in community service, and will be empowered to build your independence through structured leisure activities.

As you progress through the different levels of the programs, you’ll gain a sense of accountability, understand how to overcome struggles that lead to addiction, and how to make meaningful connections that will improve your overall life.

A part of their program that’s incredibly effective is their employment support. Through partner organizations, you’ll be paired with employment opportunities so that you can begin building financial literacy, sustaining your independence, and moving forward through different life goals you’ve set for yourself.

Fact checked and written by:

Nadia El-Yaouti, M. Ed.

Edited by:

Courtney Myers, MS

Latest Reviews

Latrecia' Briscoe-Davis

10 months ago on Google

This program is robbing these people blind, the staff are stealing the residents money, they can't receive anything to help themselves, it's just another way to collect money for whatever uses they want. They tell you to find a job, you get hired, then they tell you, you can't wk that job, because the way the pay was set up, basically direct deposit to them only. Now I know for a fact insurance pays for these people to stay here,, food is donated from everywhere for these residents, staff use everything for advantages only, these residents have no one to speak up for them, fear of being kicked out of the program and sent to jail, someone needs to look into this shady ass program, or it's time to get lawyers involved, just because they were previous addicts, doesn't mean treat them with less respect, they want and need a chance, the staff is the main problem with this program, honest doesn't fit any one of them.

Melvin Herrick

Reviewed on 08/28/2023

Be honest and work the program. Fall down, pick your as_ up dust off start again. Be honest to yourself this time! Don't give up on yourself, they won't. Been there done that. Wasn't always easy or fun but life is like that but better.

Roger Gulling

2 years ago on Google

My son was court ordered there, 6months later 3 days from going out on his own. He was put in jail. Blackmailed into signing off an aggreivance by a asst. Director Nate. An set up after setup by Corey summers another crooked staff member. Good program but an I say but very bad staff. I will tell me later because I have a bunch of facts against staff memembers here documented

Rehab Score

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4.9 / 10

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Outpatient programs are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. Outpatient program offers one to three sessions per week in the evenings and drug testing. The emphasis of this program is working through any specific barrier the individual is facing.

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) offer high-level care for clients in early recovery or who are at an increased risk of relapse. Clients may also enroll in an IOP immediately following detox, enabling them to continue to work and to live at home. Clients attend multiple outpatient treatment sessions for a minimum of nine hours per week. Many intensive outpatient rehabs provide a variety of services, including psychotherapy, recovery education, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Rehab aftercare programs support clients' reintegration into their home, workplace, and community following inpatient and residential treatment. They also promote long-term recovery for clients who may no longer be receiving outpatient treatment. Rehab aftercare services encompass a wide range of modalities and often include various medical, mental health, and social service programs. Case managers and care teams develop clients' customized service plans based on the client's evolving needs and recovery goals.

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Bridges of Iowa offers a following intensive substance abuse treatment after the residential program. The transitional living offers support needed to overcome barriers that the resident face to reentry into society. A supervised living environment with regular drug testing provides accountability. Also there is job placement and financial management, budgeting support and more.

Intervention services can help family members communicate effectively with each other and with the individual who is struggling with a substance use disorder. A professional interventionist addresses family dynamics that have worsened the situation or prevented the individual from seeking help. This expert can also help the family plan a drug intervention in Iowa. After the intervention, ongoing intervention services can help families in their own recovery, regardless of whether the individual chooses to enter treatment.

In the addiction treatment process, detox is typically the initial stage of recovery, and it involves 24-hour clinical care in Iowa. During this process, you receive constant medical supervision as harmful substances are purged from your body. Medical staff may prescribe medications to treat withdrawal symptoms and allow you to safely and comfortably break free from physical dependence on the substance.

If you've become physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, quitting suddenly can cause very dangerous side effects. During a medically assisted detox, licensed medical professionals will monitor your vitals around the clock and provide medications if necessary to ensure you're as safe and comfortable as possible throughout this process.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Drug rehab in Iowa is available in many formats. A variety of inpatient and outpatient options provide programs that are tailored to individual needs, making recovery possible for everyone.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Substance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.

Programs

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Recreational therapy (aka therapeutic recreation) uses creative and fun activities to help with addiction recovery. Recreational therapists lead patients in entertaining and engaging activities like sports or games; art (drawing, painting, sculpture); drama, music, and dance; and/or community outings (field trips) to improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being.