Odyssey Wards Island SRR 1 - George Rosenfeld Center for Recovery

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Adults seeking support for substance use disorder with co-occurring mental health conditions; needing support for addiction treatment who would benefit from educational services, job training, and case management; seeking a peer community; adults ages 55 and older; pregnant women and mothers with children
• Not a fit if: Adults seeking luxury accommodations or a retreat experience; looking for a program with minimal group participation or an unstructured daily schedule; needing to maintain full-time employment throughout the initial residential treatment period.

What to expect

Developing your care plan

• Initial screening: Prospective clients complete a phone screening that lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The clinical team uses this information to help guide treatment.
• Meeting with assigned counselor: After admission, clients meet with an assigned counselor to develop care plans based on their needs and circumstances.
• Treatment approaches and services: Clients participate in counseling, group therapy, and medications for addiction treatment (MAT) when appropriate, and the family and ElderCare programs provide services tailored to parenting responsibilities or the needs of older adults.

Who you will meet with

• Assigned counselor: Develops the client’s treatment plan and coordinates various aspects of care.
• Case manager: Helps address practical needs, such as housing, social services, education, and employment.
• Medical providers: The facility provides primary care, psychiatric services, and other medical support.
• Family and parenting support providers: These providers offer support for parenting education, family counseling, and child development services.
• Older adult care professionals: ElderCare professionals have experience with geriatric care and age-appropriate programming.

Typical schedule

• Group and one-on-one sessions: Clients attend multiple group sessions every day with one-on-one psychiatric appointments as needed.
• Additional programming: Clients are assigned responsibilities, including housekeeping tasks, and participate in recreational activities outside of treatment. They also have opportunities to explore education, employment, and vocational training.

Living experiences and amenities

• Historic building on Wards Island: The 231-bed building was built in 1915 and underwent substantial restoration to create a modern residential treatment environment. This large residential campus is located on Wards Island and surrounded by a large urban park.
• Shared spaces: Clients share bedrooms with up to 3 other residents and have access to a computer room, art room, and gym.
• Support for families: The facility offers services that are intended to help mothers and children remain together during treatment, such as a licensed on-site daycare and an Early Head Start preschool program.
• Older adult programming: The ElderCare program provides age-appropriate cultural and recreational activities to adults 55 and older, including fitness, wellness, and community-oriented activities.
• Education and life skills: Adult basic education and high school equivalency preparation are offered to help clients work toward practical goals.

Aftercare

• Discharge services: Staff help residents find transitional or permanent housing after completing treatment. Educational and employment services help residents prepare for greater independence.
• Assistance for specific populations: Family transitional residences and independent housing resources are available to mothers and children. Older adults can receive assistance accessing community residences, independent housing, or community-based skilled nursing facilities.

Pre-admissions experience

We conducted a series of pre-admissions calls, the most recent on August 18, 2026, to evaluate response time, transparency, and patient experience.

The representative we spoke with at Odyssey House was empathetic, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to, offering a high level of detail about daily schedules, special programs, and therapy access. They were transparent about cost and visitation policies and had strong operational knowledge.

Client reviews

Reviewers often credit the program with recovery progress and personal growth. Feedback on staff interactions, living conditions, and family support is more mixed.

• Treatment quality & outcomes (70% positive): Many reviewers describe rebuilding their lives, completing treatment, and benefiting from groups. "Excellent place to get started on rebuilding your life"
• Staff & care experience (60% positive): Reviewers praise encouragement and helpful counselors, while others describe favoritism and inconsistent professionalism. "Thank you to all the staff who believed in me."
• Support & community (65% positive): Reviewers describe helpful connections and motivated peers. Other accounts raise concerns about resident conflict and childcare.
• Facility & environment (65% positive): Reviewers appreciate the views, quiet setting, and art and exercise spaces. Some report concerns about meals, excessive heat, or cleanliness.
• Access & process: Some older accounts describe reliable buses alongside concerns about uneven rule enforcement, collecting belongings after discharge, and housing support.

How we researched this facility

• Reviewed by: Jennifer Trimbee, registered nurse, content writer, and strategist, reviewed the research findings and wrote this facility profile on October 12, 2026.
• Facility data research: On September 1, 2026, our research team reviewed the facility’s website and information from public health departments, national accrediting organizations, and SAMHSA to verify facility details.
• Pre-admissions call: On August 18, 2026, our content team called the facility to evaluate responsiveness, transparency, and the prospective patient experience.