For years, San Diego lacked a critical resource for people experiencing both homelessness and addiction: a safe and supportive detox program tailored to their unique circumstances. In 2025, Father Joe’s Villages San Diego proudly opened our city’s first Detox Center dedicated to people experiencing homelessness.
More than a 44-bed facility, it is a life-saving entry point – a doorway to healing, stability, and long-term recovery for our neighbors who might otherwise be left without resources and care. Here, neighbors begin the withdrawal process in a 24/7 supervised, trauma-informed environment, avoiding emergency rooms or jail cells. Highly trained staff provide compassionate care and wraparound services, meeting individuals where they are without judgment.
The Detox Center is also the first step in a broader journey to stability. Residents are connected to the RISE Sober Living Shelter, behavioral health care, case management, and long-term housing programs. This integrated approach ensures that recovery is not just a moment, but a pathway to lasting transformation.
One resident, Blake*, shared, “Finding my way to recovery was hard and I faced the struggles of withdrawal while engaging in a detox program, and during that time I felt a glimmer of hope as my body began to heal in a supportive environment that was surrounded by love and support. After detox, I embraced treatment that involved therapy and group sessions, helping me uncover the root causes of my addiction while building a strong support network. Through dedication and perseverance, I achieved success in my recovery, transforming my life and rediscovering my passions along the way as well as my purpose in life.”
Through initiatives like the Detox Center, Father Joe’s Villages is creating a more responsive system of care in San Diego, offering hope and a renewed future to neighbors who might otherwise be left without resources or support.
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