Recovery First Treatment Center

Full Continuum of Care in a Small Residential Setting

Recovery First Treatment Center provides medical detox, residential care, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient services. Its 28-bed, apartment-style residential program creates a close-knit environment where clients receive focused attention and peer support while progressing through different levels of care.

Integrated Treatment for Addiction and Mental Health

The center addresses substance use and co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed counseling are combined with medications for addiction treatment (MAT) and holistic options like therapy, mindfulness, and somatic practices.

Specialty Tracks for Veterans, First Responders, and Professionals

Recovery First offers tailored programs for veterans, first responders, healthcare professionals, women, young adults, and clients managing trauma or chronic pain. These tracks combine clinical therapies with peer support and practical skills training. Vocational support through Pathways 2 Work helps clients prepare for employment and greater independence after treatment.

Amenities, Accessibility, and Lasting Support

Located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the facility features a fitness center, recreation room, outdoor barbecue areas, and therapeutic excursions. Transportation assistance reduces barriers to care. After treatment, clients remain connected through structured aftercare planning, alumni programming, and AAC’s nationwide Connections app, which extends recovery support into everyday life.

Client Reviews

Many clients describe Recovery First as a caring place with staff who go the extra mile, while others point to areas where facilities or processes could improve. Here’s what stands out from recent feedback:

• Staff & Care Experience (85% positive): The staff earns consistent praise for compassion, professionalism, and lived-experience insight. Many mention feeling truly cared for. "The staff treated me with compassion and respect from day one."
• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (80% positive): Clients highlight meaningful therapy, engaging groups, and lasting tools for sobriety. Some, however, felt case management or discharge planning could be more reliable. "This place changed my life."
• Access & Process: Several clients report smooth admissions and supportive structure, but others express concerns with operational policies.
• Support & Community: Many reviews emphasize the sense of belonging and peer connection, through groups, alumni programs, and activities. This sense of fellowship is often described as central to recovery progress. "The support, structure, and community I found there were exactly what I needed."