The Milestone Foundation, Inc. is one of the oldest substance abuse treatment programs in Maine. Founded in the mid-1960s as a detoxification program, it focused its services on alcoholics and drug abusers who could not afford to pay the full cost of their care.
As traditional treatment became hospital-based, Milestone changed its program to focus on the late stage alcoholic and drug abuser whose long history of substance abuse did not respond to traditional short-term therapies. Thus "Extended Care" was established at Milestone in 1979.
This program was the first of its kind in Maine (and possibly in the nation) in which the consequences of lifelong alcoholism and drug abuse were reflected in the program admission criteria and the therapeutic design.
Milestone recognized that only a lengthy period of sobriety could reverse some of the extensive physical and mental impairments caused by alcohol and/or drug abuse. In the twenty-five years of operating its extended care program, over 45% of its clients graduated successfully from Milestone.
In 1998 Milestone assumed sponsorship of an emergency shelter and detoxification program at 65 India Street, Portland, Maine. This program serves the poor, indigent and late stage alcoholic and drug abuser with a safe place to sleep, clean clothes, food, showers and counseling.
The detoxification program offers medical assistance to clients who wish to break their physical addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Under the guidance of a medical director and 24 hour nursing staff, clients are safely withdrawn from their physical addiction and referred on to further care.
In order to assist clients of Milestone's programs who cannot safely return to society without a supervised living environment, in 2002 Milestone opened a permanent housing program in Old Orchard Beach. This setting offers the necessary supervision and support for disabled alcoholics and drug abusers to maintain abstinence while maximizing their contributions to the community.
Our History
