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About Us
Recovery.com combines independent research with expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide.
Advisory Board
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Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, United States
Black Bear Lodge
Verified
Verified
This provider’s information has been quality-checked by Recovery.com’s Research Team for accuracy and completeness, including center verification through appropriate third-party organizations.
Joint Commission Accredited
The Joint Commission accreditation is a voluntary, objective process that evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations (like treatment centers) based on performance standards designed to improve quality and safety for patients. To be accredited means the treatment center has been found to meet the Commission's standards for quality and safety in patient care.
Insurance AcceptedInsurance AcceptedProvider's Policy
We have a specialized team that works with insurance companies on a day-to-day basis to determine coverage and ensure that patients get the coverage they are entitled to based on their policy. When you call us, we can verify your insurance benefits at no cost and explain what your policy covers. We do not accept Medicaid and Medicare
Highlights from the Center
Highlights
These highlights are provided by and paid for by the center.
Nature Lovers
Therapeutic Location
Residential Cabins
Addiction Recovery
About Black Bear Lodge
At the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Black Bear Lodge offers a retreat for clients seeking recovery from addiction. With options for residential and outpatient treatment and a focus on client-centered treatment, Black Bear’s team empowers clients to heal mind, body, and spirit in an inspiring, peaceful setting.
Discover Life beyond the Diagnosis
Black Bear Lodge encourages clients to live bigger than their diagnosis– to find satisfaction and fulfillment outside of self-medication. Their programs are rooted in strong clinical methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and group counseling. At the same time, they embrace practices like yoga and mindfulness, as well as nature-based therapies like hiking, and zip-lining. Led by a multidisciplinary team, Black Bear’s personalized care is as effective as it is empathetic.
Understand Addiction and Repair with Family
Black Bear Lodge recognizes the pivotal role of family in the recovery process, so they provide family mediation services to guide families through healing, teaching effective communication and boundary-setting. Along with learning skills to produce a better family dynamic, the family learns to understand addiction’s impact and support their loved one without enabling them. They also learn to embrace acceptance as a crucial part of loving their family member well.
Heal in the Heart of the Forest
Black Bear Lodge offers more than just treatment—it’s a retreat for renewal. Each room at the lodge is cozy, providing the perfect spaces for connection and relaxation. The lush forest surroundings invite clients to unwind with therapeutic hikes on scenic trails, where nature becomes part of the recovery process. From inviting indoor lounges including an on-site theater to tranquil outdoor spaces, Black Bear Lodge feels less like a facility and more like a haven.
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Insurance Accepted
Provider's Policy:We have a specialized team that works with insurance companies on a day-to-day basis to determine coverage and ensure that patients get the coverage they are entitled to based on their policy. When you call us, we can verify your insurance benefits at no cost and explain what your policy covers. We do not accept Medicaid and Medicare
Humana
With roots in the health field dating back to 1961, Humana is a trusted insurance provider that proudly serves over 20 million Americans.
Tricare
Providing health care programs that reinforce, maintain, and sustain good health for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families globally.
Cigna
Cigna's unique history traces back to 1792, but today they offer services to 190 million customers in 30 different countries across the globe.
BlueCross BlueShield
A leading healthcare provider serving over 100 million Americans as one of the largest insurance companies in the country.
Rebuild the Family Unit
Addiction doesn't just impact one person—it affects the entire family. At Black Bear Lodge, they delve into crucial topics: Week 1 explores the disease of addiction, MAT, co-occurring disorders, and neurobiology. Week 2 focuses on co-dependency and setting healthy boundaries. Week 3 covers aftercare strategies, while Week 4 emphasizes family agreements, self-care for support systems, and essential resources.
Experience Home Away from Home
In the peaceful foothills of northern Georgia, each room is designed to be welcoming, giving clients a place to relax and recharge after a day of inner work. The lodge feels like a retreat with its inviting indoor lounges and a theater where clients can unwind and watch a movie. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, their atmosphere helps create a sense of belonging, making the journey to recovery feel a little easier and a lot more supportive.
Heal Beyond Traditional Therapy
At Black Bear Lodge, nature becomes a powerful ally in recovery. Therapeutic hiking and outdoor meditations transform healing from a clinical process into a holistic journey of self-discovery. By engaging with the serene landscapes of northern Georgia, clients can explore personal growth, reduce stress, and develop mindfulness skills in a natural setting.
Tackle Root Causes for Better Outcomes
At Black Bear Lodge, dual diagnosis care is tailored to address both addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously. Their expert team conducts thorough assessments to create treatment plans that tackle issues like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders alongside substance use. Using evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), clients gain valuable insights and coping strategies.
Verified by Recovery.com
Our research team verified that the name, location, contact information and license to operate for this treatment provider are valid and up-to-date. Black Bear Lodge has verified the information on this page to be accurate.
Joint Commission Accredited
Licensed by Georgia
NAATP Member
Recovery.com is an independent, third-party mental health resource. Verification does not imply endorsement and does not guarantee the quality of treatment services
Center Overview
Older Adults
Addiction and mental health treatment caters to adults 55+ and the age-specific challenges that can come with recovery, wellness, and overall happiness.
Executives
Executive treatment programs typically directly support the needs of people who manage businesses and may provide flexible schedules and office space to allow work during treatment.
Young Adults
Emerging adults ages 18-25 receive treatment catered to the unique challenges of early adulthood, like college, risky behaviors, and vocational struggles.
LGBTQ+
Addiction and mental illnesses in the LGBTQ+ community must be treated with an affirming, safe, and relevant approach, which many centers provide.
Men and Women
Men and women attend treatment for addiction in a co-ed setting, going to therapy groups together to share experiences, struggles, and successes.
Midlife Adults
For adults ages 40+, treatment shifts to focus on the unique challenges, blocks, and risk factors of their age group, and unites peers in a similar community.
Mild Disabilities
Adults with mild physical or intellectual disabilities receive treatment catered to their specific needs in a safe and clinically supportive environment.
Pregnant Women
Addiction and mental health treatment meets the clinical and psychological needs of pregnant women, ensuring they receive optimal care in all areas.
Professionals
Busy, high-ranking professionals get the personalized treatment they need with greater accommodations for work, privacy, and outside communication.
Veterans
Patients who completed active military duty receive specialized treatment focused on trauma, grief, loss, and finding a new work-life balance.
Treatment Focus
This center treats primary substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Your treatment plan addresses each condition at once with personalized, compassionate care for comprehensive healing.
Treatment
Specializations
Alcohol
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, or drinking excessively throughout the week, signals an alcohol use disorder.
Co-Occurring Disorders
A person with multiple mental health diagnoses, such as addiction and depression, has co-occurring disorders also called dual diagnosis.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is the excessive and repetitive use of substances, despite harmful consequences to a person's life, health, and relationships.
Pregnant Women
Addiction and mental health treatment meets the clinical and psychological needs of pregnant women, ensuring they receive optimal care in all areas.
Veterans
Patients who completed active military duty receive specialized treatment focused on trauma, grief, loss, and finding a new work-life balance.
Residential
In a residential rehab program, patients live onsite, with access to daily treatment and 24-hour care. An average stay is 30-90 days.
Treatment Services
Day Treatment
In a PHP, patients live at home but follow an intensive schedule of treatment. Most programs require you to be on-site for about 40 hours per week.
Detox
Detox fully and safely removes toxic substances from the body, allowing the next steps in treatment to begin with a clean slate.
Intensive Family Program
Some rehabs offer intensive programs for loved ones. Group and individual therapy sessions help everyone heal, and improve family dynamics.
Intensive Outpatient Program
In an IOP, patients live at home or a sober living, but attend treatment typically 9-15 hours a week. Most programs include talk therapy, support groups, and other methods.
Outpatient
During outpatient rehab, patients attend a structured treatment program while continuing to live at home.
Residential
In a residential rehab program, patients live onsite, with access to daily treatment and 24-hour care. An average stay is 30-90 days.
Approaches
Evidence-Based
A combination of scientifically rooted therapies and treatments make up evidence-based care, defined by their measured and proven results.
Experiential
Expressive tools and therapies help patients process past situations, learn more about themselves, and find healing through action.
Family Involvement
Providers involve family in the treatment of their loved one through family therapy, visits, or both–because addiction is a family disease.
Personalized Treatment
The specific needs, histories, and conditions of individual patients receive personalized, highly relevant care throughout their recovery journey.
Therapies
1-on-1 Counseling
Patient and therapist meet 1-on-1 to work through difficult emotions and behavioral challenges in a personal, private setting.
Meditation & Mindfulness
A practiced state of mind that brings patients to the present. It allows them to become fully aware of themselves, their feelings, and the present moment.
Trauma-Specific Therapy
This form of talk therapy addresses any childhood trauma at the root of a patient's current diagnosis.
Mindfulness Therapy
This ancient practice can be mental, emotional, and even spiritual. In meditation, you focus your attention on the present moment without judgement.
Adventure Therapy
This experiential approach uses the physical and emotional challenges of outdoor activities as tools for personal growth.
Art Therapy
Visual art invites patients to examine the emotions within their work, focusing on the process of creativity and its gentle therapeutic power.
Experiential Therapy
With this approach, patients heal by doing. Therapists help patients process difficult emotions to speak, using guided activities like art or dance.
Family Therapy
Family therapy addresses group dynamics within a family system, with a focus on improving communication and interrupting unhealthy relationship patterns.
Conditions We Treat
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that causes hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
Grief and Loss
Grief is a natural reaction to loss, but severe grief can interfere with your ability to function. You can get treatment for this condition.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders destabilize the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. If untreated, they can undermine relationships and lead to severe distress.
ADHD, ADD
ADHD is a common mental health condition caused by dopamine imbalance. Common symptoms include inattention, hyperactivitiy, and impulsivity.
Anger
Although anger itself isn't a disorder, it can get out of hand. If this feeling interferes with your relationships and daily functioning, treatment can help.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can include excessive worry, panic attacks, physical tension, and increased blood pressure.
Bipolar
This mental health condition is characterized by extreme mood swings between depression, mania, and remission.
Burnout
Burnout entails mental and physical exhaustion, and leads to a severe lack of fulfillment. This condition is often caused by overwork.
Chronic Pain Management
Long-term physical pain can have an affect on mental health. Without support, it can also impact your daily life and even lead to addiction.
Substances We Treat
Alcohol
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, or drinking excessively throughout the week, signals an alcohol use disorder.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep issues. They are highly habit forming, and their abuse can cause mood changes and poor judgement.
Chronic Relapse
Consistent relapse occurs repeatedly, after partial recovery from addiction. This condition requires long-term treatment.
Co-Occurring Disorders
A person with multiple mental health diagnoses, such as addiction and depression, has co-occurring disorders also called dual diagnosis.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant with euphoric effects. Agitation, muscle ticks, psychosis, and heart issues are common symptoms of cocaine abuse.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is the excessive and repetitive use of substances, despite harmful consequences to a person's life, health, and relationships.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a stimulant that causes intense euphoria and heightened awareness. Abuse of this drug can trigger depression, insomnia, and memory problems.
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal opioid. It can cause insomnia, collapsed veins, heart issues, and additional mental health issues.
Psychedelics
Hallucinogenic drugs —like LSD—cause euphoria and increased sensory experiences. When abused, they can lead to depression and psychosis.
Aftercare
Experience
Personal Amenities
Amenities
Special Considerations
Clients can bring their own pet(s)
For greater comfort and healing, pet-friendly treatment centers welcome dogs and animal companions to stay with their owners while they attend treatment.
Pet Friendly
For greater comfort and healing, pet-friendly treatment centers welcome dogs and animal companions to stay with their owners while they attend treatment.
Executive Program
Addiction and mental health treatment for executives typically involves high discretion, greater technology access, and more private, 1-on-1 care.
Gender-specific groups
Patients in gender-specific groups gain the opportunity to discuss challenges unique to their gender in a comfortable, safe setting conducive to healing.
Activities
Yoga
Yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice. It includes a flow of movement, breathing techniques, and meditation.
Off-Site Activities
Off-Site Amenities
Professional Staff
Lynn Echols
CEO
MSN, RN
Jennifer Hoodecheck
Clinical Director
LCSW, MAC
Matthew Partain
Director of Admissions
Vince Foley
Regional Human Resources Director
View More Team Members
Learn more about Black Bear Lodge
Testimonial
Black Bear Lodge has without a doubt changed my life for the better. I’ve been shown that life is enjoyable without drugs or alcohol, I’ve been given hope that I can live a sober and fulfilling life. I can’t thank the therapists, nurses, the RA’s, and the staff enough for caring about me the way they do.
Landon B
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