Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does the program cost?

    Residents are never billed for treatment services. In the later stages of the program, once men begin working, they contribute by paying a modest rent while living in The Refuge recovery housing.


  • I am a man who wants to get in. How can I do that?

    There are two ways to start the intake process. One is to fill out a prescreen application on our website. After that, a member of our staff will get in touch to continue the process. 


    The second is to call our intake line at 614-991-0131 and speak to a member of our staff. 



  • I am not an Ohio resident. Can I still get in?

    Yes, we accept men from out-of-state as well as Ohio residents. If you are coming from out of state, before arriving for intake, please contact us at 614-991-0131 to conduct a pre-screen.


  • My son is currently in jail/prison. Can he come in after he is released?

    We accept men upon release from jail or prison, however, we are not able to reserve beds in advance. Please call 614-991-0131 

  • What items do I bring with me to The Refuge?

    • 8 pairs of pants/shorts
    • 8 shirts
    • 3 sweaters/sweatshirts
    • 3 pairs of shoes
    • 8 pairs of socks & underwear
    • 1 Bible & notebook
    • Personal hygiene products:
    • 1 shampoo & conditioner
    • 1 body wash & bar of soap
    • 1 deodorant
    • 1 non-electric toothbrush,1 tube of toothpaste
    • 1 bag non electric razors, 1 can shaving cream
    • 1 hair-style product if needed.

    Our “blessings closet” can help provide any items the applicant is not able to bring.


    Note: Please make arrangements to be dropped off at The Refuge, or have your car picked up the same day. The Refuge is not responsible for personal vehicles after applicants are accepted to the program.

  • How old do you have to be to get into The Refuge?

    We only accept men who are 18 years old or older.

  • Are you able to take sex offenders?

    Unfortunately, we cannot accept registered sex offenders.

  • Can a man detox at The Refuge?

    For the safety of our staff and men, we cannot medically detox, and therefore cannot accept men whose drug of choice was benzodiazepines or alcohol unless they have are already detoxed. Our staff is, however, very much accustomed to helping men through the process of withdrawal/detox from heroin, opiates, and other substances. These may be handled on a case-by-case basis. Call 614-991-0131 to discuss specifics.

  • Which theology does your Ministry follow?

    The Refuge is a ministry that bases its programming on orthodox Christian values.

  • How do I get more information about Family Day?

    When men phase up to our Phase Two home, they can begin making weekly phone calls. At this point, they will be the ones to invite you to Family Day and provide all of the necessary information about the event.

  • If my son doesn’t have a diploma – do you have any resources to help him get his GED?

    Yes. We do all we can to provide opportunities for the men to launch with everything they need to walk as responsible men of God. He will have more opportunities to explore these possibilities as he moves into our Phase 3.

  • I would like to make a physical donation. Who should I contact?

    To inquire about making or delivering donations, email Facilities Manager Jordan Wagner at jordan.wagner@therefugeohio.org

  • My son has already been through several other rehabs. What makes The Refuge different from other programs?

    Four things:


    1. We seek to honor God in everything we do.
    2. We’ve seen the power of authentic, transparent discipleship. The men gain the support and honest friendships of a brotherhood here that it is difficult to find or build elsewhere.
    3. We focus on holistic care & training. Addiction cannot be isolated and treated as one single issue. By the time men get to our doors, more often than not, addiction has taken over every part of their lives. We believe that any hope for change comes through Christ, practically through the new life that He offers – transformation of personal integrity, family values, work ethic, ongoing and intentional service, authenticity, leadership, and prayer. We are by no means perfect – but this is the model we strive for.
    4. By the time a man completes The Refuge, he will have close to—or in many cases over—a year of sobriety. More importantly, he will have: developed a lasting commitment to the hard work required for sustainable change. Each man completes our Launch Plan, which addresses every social and health need throughout Phases Two through Four. This includes completing financial literacy and career development classes; earning a GED; accessing free legal aid through our partner attorneys; free tax preparation with partner CPAs; establishing personal bank accounts; and gaining access to address medical, dental, and vision health. Graduates also have access to our car program through Lindsay Honda, as well as transitional, low-income recovery housing. Our goal for every graduate is to leave with stable housing, meaningful employment, and reliable transportation firmly in place.