Way Back Inn Inc - Grateful House

Long-Term Residential Care for Women

Grateful House provides extended residential care for adult women who need more time and structure than a short stay can offer. Most women remain for about 90 days to one year, giving them space to focus on recovery from substance use. Women facing gambling and co-occurring mental health conditions can also receive treatment. The program does not offer detox on-site, so many women arrive after completing withdrawal management elsewhere and are ready to engage in therapy and community life.

Historic Home Setting and Community-Based Living

Care takes place in a Victorian-style home on a tree-lined residential street in Oak Park. The small, community-based residence has shared bedrooms, communal living spaces, and structured house responsibilities to create a family-like setting. Women share chores, meal preparation, and daily routines, building accountability and practicing the rhythms of everyday life in a sober environment.

Holistic, Evidence-Based Treatment Approach

Treatment combines evidence-based therapies with holistic support. Clinical services can include a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, anger management, substance use counseling, trauma-related counseling, and 12-step work. The broader program incorporates art, music, yoga, spirituality, and peer support networks, aiming to address body, mind, and spirit.

Family Support, Life Skills, and Practical Recovery Tools

Women receive individual and group counseling focused on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and life skills training. Daily life functions such as housekeeping, cooking, budgeting, and work-life balance are built into the schedule so women can practice skills they will need after discharge. Weekly family psychoeducation groups invite loved ones into the process, helping them understand addiction, work through its impact on the family system, and prepare for healthier communication at home.

Step-Down and Virtual Care Options

As women complete extended residential care, they can transition to recovery homes with less frequent clinical contacts, easing the shift toward independent living instead of returning abruptly to old environments. Way Back Inn also offers intensive outpatient programs in person and outpatient services delivered via telehealth, which can fit clients who must work or care for family while receiving support.