32 Knox Road - P.O. Box 40, Ridgecrest, NC 28770
32 Knox Road - P.O. Box 40 Ridgecrest NC 28770

First at Blue Ridge Inc. is a residential therapeutic community located in Ridgecrest, North Carolina, east of Asheville on Interstate 40. The facility is situated on a campus with a five-story residential building for men, a sixty-five bed women’s facility, and additional administrative, mechanical, landscaping, and transitional housing residences. The primary purpose of First at Blue Ridge is to provide a comprehensive treatment program for individuals struggling with chronic substance use disorders, homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Key Services and Programs

Long-Term Program

The long-term program is a 12-month residential treatment program that includes clinical groups, self-help meetings, and vocational training. Clients participate in “Phase One” to acclimate to the program, followed by “Phase Two,” where they work job assignments, attend self-help meetings, and evening clinical groups to develop healthy habits and work skills.

Vocational Training and Job Placement

First at Blue Ridge partners with local employers to provide vocational training and job placement opportunities for clients. This helps them develop marketable job skills and maintain gainful employment during and after the program.

Transitional Housing

The facility offers transitional housing for clients who have completed the long-term program. This allows them to establish a firm foundation for independent living while still receiving support and guidance.

Short-Term Intensive Programs

First at Blue Ridge offers short-term intensive programs ranging from 14 to 90 days for individuals who cannot commit to long-term treatment due to employment or family responsibilities.

Levels of Care

  • Residential: First at Blue Ridge provides a residential treatment program where clients live on campus and participate in a comprehensive treatment plan.
  • Transitional Housing: The facility offers transitional housing for clients who have completed the long-term program, allowing them to gradually transition to independent living.

Staff and Expertise

The facility is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and has a team of qualified staff members who provide guidance and support to clients. While specific staff qualifications are not detailed, the facility’s peer-led and peer-driven approach ensures that staff members have personal experience with addiction and recovery.

Treatment Approach

First at Blue Ridge follows a 12-step based, modified therapeutic community approach with an intensive clinical overlay. The facility emphasizes the importance of active participation in self-help recovery groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, SMART Recovery, and Refuge Recovery. The program focuses on providing “real-world” responsibilities and skills to help clients become productive members of society.

Unique Features

  • Vocational Training Partnerships: First at Blue Ridge has partnerships with local employers to provide vocational training and job placement opportunities, setting it apart from other treatment facilities.
  • Peer-Led and Peer-Driven Approach: The facility’s peer-led and peer-driven approach ensures that staff members have personal experience with addiction and recovery, providing a unique and empathetic support system for clients.

Accreditations and Quality Measures

First at Blue Ridge is a licensed therapeutic community in the State of North Carolina and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Admission Process and Insurance

The admission process involves screening and assessment by the Admissions Department. While specific insurance information is not provided, the facility offers scholarships for those who cannot afford the program fee. For inquiries, contact the Admissions Department at 828-669-0011 ext. 1106 or ext. 1111, or Cell# 828-337-1153. Fax: 828-669-0596.

Intake Phone Number
(828) 669-0011
County
Buncombe
Mental Health Treatment
No
Substance Abuse Treatment
Yes
Detoxification
No
Methadone Maintenance
No
Methadone Detoxification
No
Buprenorphine used in treatment
No
Naltrexone (oral)
No
Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone)
No
Transitional housing or halfway house
Yes
All Clients in Opioid Treatment Program
No
Individual psychotherapy
No
Couple/family therapy
No
Group therapy
No
Cognitive/behavior therapy
No
Dialectical behavior therapy
No
Behavior modification
No
Integrated dual disorders treatment
No
Trauma therapy
No
Activity therapy
No
Electroconvulsive therapy
No
Psychotropic medication
No
Telemedicine therapy
No
Smoking not allowed
No
Smoking allowed in designated area
No
Smoking allowed without restriction
No
Hospital inpatient
No
Psychiatric hospital or unit
No
Residential
Yes
Residential treatment center (RTC) for children
No
Residential treatment center (RTC) for adults
No
Other residential services (excluding RTCs)
No
Partial hospitalization/day treatment
No
Outpatient
No
Outpatient mental health facility
No
Community mental health center
No
Multi-setting mental health facility (e.g., residential plus outpatient)
No
Short-term residential
Yes
Long-term residential
Yes
Residential detoxification
No
Outpatient detoxification
No
Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or vivitrol
No
Outpatient Day treatment or partial hospitalization
No
Intensive outpatient treatment
No
Regular outpatient treatment
No
Hospital inpatient detoxification
No
Hospital inpatient treatment
No
Computerized treatment
No
Assertive community treatment
No
Intensive case management
No
Case management
No
Chronic disease/illness management
No
Consumer-run (peer-support) services
No
Court-ordered outpatient treatment
No
Diet and exercise counseling
No
Education services
No
Family psychoeducation
No
Housing services
No
Illness management and recovery
No
Integrated primary care service
No
Nicotine replacement therapy
No
Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation
No
Psychosocial rehabilitation services
No
Screening for tobacco use
No
Suicide prevention services
No
Supported employment
No
Supported housing
No
Therapeutic foster care
No
Tobacco cessation counselling
No
Vocational rehabilitation services
No
Crisis intervention team
No
Psychiatric emergency walk-in services
No
Services for the hearing-impaired
No
Spanish
Yes
American Indian or Alaska Native languages
No
Other Languages
No
Female
Yes
Male
Yes
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
No
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) clients
No
Veterans
Yes
Active duty military
No
Military families
No
Clients referred from the court/judicial system (other than DUI/DWI)
Yes
Seniors or older adults
No
Adolescents
No
Pregnant/postpartum women
No
Adult women
Yes
Adult men
Yes
Persons with HIV or AIDS
No
Persons who have experienced trauma
No
Residential beds for client's children
Yes
Persons who have experienced sexual abuse
No
Persons who have experienced intimate partner violence, domestic violence
No
Children with serious emotional disturbance (SED)
No
Persons with serious mental illness (SMI)
No
Persons with Alzheimers or dementia
No
Persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
No
Persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI)
No
Transitional age young adults
No
Persons with eating disorders
No
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
No
State mental health authority
No
Other state government agency
No
Regional/district or county, local or municipal government
No
Tribal government
No
Indian health service
No
Children/adolescents
No
Young adults
Yes
Adults
Yes
Seniors (65 or older)
No
No payment accepted
No
Cash or self-payment
Yes
Medicaid
No
Medicare
No
State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
No
Private health insurance
No
Military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)
Yes
IHS/638 contract care funds
No
Access to recovery (ATR) voucher
No
State mental health agency funds
No
State welfare or child and family services funds
No
State corrections or juvenile justice funds
No
State education funds
No
Other State funds
No
County or local government funds
No
Community Service Block Grants
No
Community Mental Health Block Grants
No
U.S Department of VA funds
No
Methadone and buprenorphine clients only
No
Methadone clients only
No
DUI/DWI clients
No
DUI/Serve only DWI clients
No
Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
No
Payment assistance (check with facility for details)
Yes
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