Bridges of Iowa Des Moines

Bridges of Iowa is a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehab organization in Des Moines, Iowa. The majority of the organization’s clients come from jail and have low or no income, no access to treatment, and no health insurance. In addition to helping clients with substance use disorders, they offer services to help them successfully reenter the community.

A Unique Long Term Drug Rehab Program in Des Moines

The Bridges program is uniquely located inside an unlocked wing of the Polk County Jail in Des Moines. The jail is only 15 minutes from walkable downtown Des Moines, where clients can visit a museum, have a great meal, and explore the Skywalk system which provides elevated, climate controlled passageways between many of downtown’s buildings.

Although clients aren’t incarcerated at the jail, they attend the first two phases of the program while living onsite in the unlocked wing. Clients can wear their personal clothes and individualize their rooms. They spend time outside for regular breaks.

Broadlawns Medical Center provides medically supervised detox. They also provide other medical services. During the first two phases, clients receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in an intense, focused environment to work on changing their negative habits.

Crossing the Bridge to a Better Life in Iowa

Although the program has no luxury amenities, clients receive compassion and warmth from the staff to guide them in their recovery journey. The program partners with St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide clients with financial literacy classes and job readiness education.

St. Vincent de Paul also offers healthy family and healthy relationships programs. Additionally, they provide clients with employment opportunities.

The program includes evidence based treatment approaches that address the whole person. This includes the psychological, biological, spiritual, and social aspects of each individual.

As clients reach the third phase of the program, they earn independence through accountability. They find jobs and overcome any obstacles to employment, such as transportation. After completing the program, clients have the tools they need to maintain a sober lifestyle.