It was a wonderful place that helped people to reintegrate into society. My experience was great, all the staff was amazing, they truly made a difference in my life.
About Dismas Charities of Atlanta
For over 60 years, Dismas Charities has been a reentry center in Atlanta, Georgia. Their mission is to help those leaving incarceration (including those with histories of drug or alcohol abuse and mental health concerns) transition back to their communities with social support. They don’t provide addiction treatment themselves, but can connect you with treatment resources.
Dismas is one of the oldest reentry specialist organizations in the country, boasting 100 locations nationwide. In some states, they’re known as Diersen Charities. Programming is flexible to meet the needs of the communities and individuals it serves. Support is extended to families so everyone can heal together.
A Strong Foundation
I like that this facility sets you up for success upon release in different ways. The support an individual needs will vary based on their situation, and Dismas is partnered with other agencies to meet a variety of needs, but their own work recognizes the importance of education and vocational benchmarks.
Whether you want to meet your own goal or build a better life for yourself and your family, their services can bring you to the place where you want to be, so you start your new life with your best foot forward.
Grabbing the Intangible
Other support services offered here help clients meet what staff call “intangible needs.” Examples include help with medical costs or clothing for your family. Additionally, they offer residential care to those needing a structured living environment upon release.
Connect with East Atlanta
A great thing about this location is that East Atlanta has robust public transportation options, making it a breeze to explore the community, meet new people, and make use of things like substance abuse treatment services. Glenwood Park isn’t too far away.
Reentry is about more than ensuring that you can provide for yourself and your family: it’s about involving you with the world around you. This feeling of connection and place can bolster your sobriety.
Fact checked and written by:
Brad Duvall
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Latest Reviews
I am writing this review as a concerned family member of a resident currently at Dismas Charities Atlanta West. While I understand that transitional housing and rehabilitation programs come with rules and structure, the way this facility operates raises serious concerns about whether it is truly serving its purpose of rehabilitation and reintegration.
Upon arrival, residents are told they must wait up to ten business days before they are allowed to meet with their counselor. During this waiting period, they are unable to schedule job interviews, obtain a government ID, or access other essential documents needed to secure employment. This delay directly undermines the goal of helping residents transition successfully back into society. It is especially disheartening because many individuals leave incarceration eager to work and rebuild their lives — some even have job opportunities waiting for them — yet the system in place here prevents them from moving forward.
Another major issue is the lack of consideration for residents’ long-term living situations. If a resident’s permanent home is, for example, in Roswell, GA, it makes little sense to require them to find employment near the halfway house instead of near their future residence. This short-term approach sets them up for transportation struggles and instability once they leave the program.
Additionally, there appears to be no structured programming, classes, or workshops available to residents. There are no educational or skill-building opportunities, no mental health activities, and no community engagement efforts. Rehabilitation is not just about confinement — it should be about growth, structure, and preparation for reentry. Allowing residents to sit idle every day without constructive activities is not rehabilitation; it’s stagnation.
Even more concerning, I have repeatedly heard staff members make inappropriate jokes or threats related to residents’ freedom — such as telling them they’ll be “written up” or “sent back to jail” over chores or minor issues. Freedom is not a joke, and those words are deeply harmful, especially for individuals who already struggle with trauma or mental health conditions such as PTSD. These comments are not motivational — they are demeaning and triggering, and they go against the very idea of providing a supportive, rehabilitative environment.
This facility could have so much potential to truly change lives if leadership would invest in better programming, quicker case management access, trauma-informed staff training, and a more individualized approach that takes into account where residents will actually live and work after release. These changes would not only improve outcomes for the individuals but would also reflect positively on the mission of Dismas Charities as a whole.
People deserve a fair chance at rebuilding their lives. Unfortunately, the current system at Dismas Charities Atlanta West makes that much harder than it needs to be. I sincerely hope this feedback reaches someone in a position to make changes — because the residents there, and their families, deserve better.
Grateful this place was able to accommodate my family coming home
needs more assistance, job postings,bus stops,schedules
Rehab Score
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4.8 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Addiction Treatments
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
A quality drug rehab in Georgia can help you overcome addiction. This environment is designed to help you address the complex issues contributing to drug dependence. The goal of treatment is to give you the tools you need to make a full recovery.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Contact Information
1010 West Peachtree Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30309
Get Help Now - 470-866-4553
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