Portland, Maine, is one of the top U.S. cities for people in recovery, mainly because of Foundation House — a local residential program devoted to helping recovering addicts thrive — was the first to work both nationally and internationally. Not only does Foundation House provide intensive outpatient therapy through a practical and holistic approach to the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous — it promotes family-style living through shared meals, chores, and activities such as gym workouts, yoga, cooking classes, holistic health lessons, a float spa, woodworking, travel, volunteer programs, and sports leagues.
Patrick Babcock told us he established Foundation House in 2002 as an environment that teaches residents not just how to get sober, but how to stay sober… paying forward his own experience in recovery for young men battling alcoholism and chemical dependency. “If I were to attribute our success to anything, I’d say that it is 51% the independently nuanced way we do what we do, and 49% Portland, Maine. There’s no other place in the world that would support us the way all the people and facilities here support us.”
When asked how the program fared during the pandemic, Patrick said, “Honestly, better than ever. Our staff and clients had their best year ever. We grew closer. Worked harder. And we worked smarter. Our facilities operate as a small city and retreat unto themselves. As a result, our organization, besides wearing masks and operating according to CDC guidelines, never missed a beat. As the saying goes, we didn’t just survive, we thrived.”
For more information, visit foundationhouse.com