John Volken Academy Ranch — Gilbert, AZ

Awarded the Dalai Lama Humanitarian Award in 2014 for their effective and life altering addiction treatment, John Volken Academy provides highly structured, personally tailored care throughout 3 residential locations. Their Phoenix area Ranch Academy treats adult men and women, ages 19-44, struggling with substance use disorders or addiction with co-occurring mental health conditions throughout a 24 month, therapeutic community-based program.
Located on 40-acres of land with stunning scenic views of mountains and skyline, lush green gardens and farmland, and hosting over 100 horses and other farm animals, clients (referred to as students) are in a tranquil and supportive nature-rich environment conducive to healing.
Their therapeutic community approach integrates diverse, evidence-based methods with vocational and life skills training and development. Their community-based environment offers students the opportunity to practice and apply the tools and skills they are learning throughout treatment, as they will assume increased responsibility as they develop leadership roles amongst their peers.
Residents participate in a structured schedule with therapeutic activities in 1-on-1 and group settings for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, and may pursue education or build vocational skills by working on the farm or through jobs in their on-site store. Students at John Volken Academy receive extensive career development in real-life settings, developing talents into marketable employment skills. Students may also help set up for, prepare and serve, or clean up daily meals, and various other household and outdoor chores that promote a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Adventure outings, recreational activities, physical fitness, equine therapy, and more, are all forms of therapies that may also be integrated into individually crafted treatment plans.
The program heavily focuses on providing residents with the skills needed to obtain lifelong sobriety throughout the 2 year residential program. Treatment follows 4 phases: step 1 addresses the root causes and destructive behaviors leading to substance abuse through intensive therapy. Step 2 focuses on healing the brain, providing the appropriate environment, therapies, and time of abstinence for the brain to re-wire and begin to optimally function again. Step 3 guides clients through adopting a new healthy lifestyle as they heal and start to get to know themselves once more. Step 4 of their process is to start re-entry support and build a solid foundation for a successful life in sobriety outside of treatment.
Transitional services, relapse prevention, and re-entry support are all offered as part of an extensive aftercare and alumni program. As students near graduation, they are offered a re-entry support program, connecting them to a mentor as they begin learning skills, including managing finances, resume building, applying and interviewing for jobs, and other necessary life skills to help individuals transition successfully.
For graduates looking to ease into the transition, John Volken Academy provides affordable transitional housing located close to campus.