MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR IAFF MEMBERS

IAFF Center of Excellence Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Accepting Clients

This facility accepts insurance and is accepting new clients.

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Address

13400 Edgemeade Rd.
Upper Marlboro, MD

Phone

(301) 358-0192

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Our Facility

The IAFF Center of Excellence is a first-of-its-kind rehabilitation center designed especially for and by firefighters. The 60-bed facility, located on 15 acres just outside Washington, DC, gives these fire fighters and first responders the opportunity to receive treatment among peers, led by clinicians who have experience working with these professionals. 

Levels of Care

  • Medical Detox

  • Inpatient/Residential Rehab

  • Partial Hospitalization

  • Intensive Outpatient Program

  • Outpatient Rehab

  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

  • Teletherapy

Our Amenities

The amenities at the IAFF Center of Excellence offer members recreational and therapeutic opportunities that complement treatment and encourage healing.

Fully equipped gym
Basketball court
Outdoor volleyball
Reflection areas
Outdoor walking trails
Yoga and writing therapy

Your Recovery Is Our Mission

Trevor MathisTrevor Mathis ★★★★★ This place saved my life.Jason KennedyJason Kennedy ★★★★★ I came here as a broken human who had forgotten who I was and how to live in this world long ago. War trauma, 20 years of work trauma, on top of some nasty childhood trauma had me with no self esteem and the worst trainwreck of negative thoughts. I was already diagnosed with PTSD, depression, anxiety and using any substance put in front of me to make it all go away. 10+ years of therapy and this was not my 1st go round with intensive residential treatment. This place was everything I needed all along. It took me 60 days to deal with it and I don't regret the time at all. It certainly wasn't lost time even though I left a lot behind to come here. It's worth it and you're worth it to take the step to come here.The clinicians are great and between them and the classes, it will help you look at all the parts that you tried to hide away, learn from them and help yourself change to be who you want to be. The rules you see online aren't really how it goes. You're respected as being a professional with a bunch of other professionals. You won't be hanging out with "your patients" that you might be imagining. Youre not locked down in a building all day, you'll spend more time doing what you want on campus then you do in programming. You do have limited cell phone access but you have everyday phone access from their landlines. You may become an Amazon preferred client if so desired. Books, cards, games, Legos, etc are all welcome to be had here. The food is decent to good by Army standards, with meals made but also a good salad bar selection and assortment of snacks. You'll be able to order groceries as well to get what you want.I'd say the average stay is around 30 days if you need a graduation certificate. 45-60 for significant trauma needing EMDR with designated trauma groups. Not a soul leaves at 2 weeks "done", so don't listen to what the ARS guys say. This place is run significantly different from the other ARS for a reason.Jeff DennisJeff Dennis ★★★★★ Excellent facility! This place saved my life! Great staff!jeff goodjeff good ★★★★★ Smartest decision of my life. 100/10Mark HolmesMark Holmes ★★★★★ This place is amazing. I am in disbelief that a place like this exists and that it was available to me. Coming here was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. The staff from housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen, and clinical/ medical are not just employees. They care and are passionate about you and your journey.When I got here I was broken, ashamed, exhausted. My life was falling apart and I couldn’t get out of my own way. They take you apart and help you examine yourself piece by piece. They are very good at what they do.I will forever be grateful for the ways that the CoE helped me, and grateful to myself for making the very difficult decision to come here.If you have questions, please reach out.Clint SanchezClint Sanchez ★★★★★ Where do I begin? When I came through the gate, I was broken (or as I've learned -- bruised). I was immediately let out of my car and met by two of my peers who whooshed me to admissions. From that point on, all I felt was acceptance, belonging, and that I was in a judgement-free zone.In my mind, I was broken, unrepairable, and had issues that no one could fix. Boy was I wrong. Whether it was in individual sessions with Remi (My Clinician), or group therapy with Dan, Pat, Ashley, Tiffany, Alanna, Kourtney, Kimberly, and others -- I was given the tools, grace, and ability to begin to fix myself.Plus, the clinicians aren't here to just get a paycheck. They genuinely CARE about the patients, you can literally feel that in the sessions.At my clinician's suggestion, I underwent EMDR treatment and literally felt chains being removed, and childhood trauma no longer had the power that it did on me before coming here.Insofar as the facilities, the station houses are comfy, the supporting staff are incredible, and the Fire every evening is the perfect place to unwind, and listen to your peers share their journey to what led them here to the COE.I could go on and on about how magical this place is, but Google doesn't have the bandwidth for me to sing my praises. I feel like every single person in the fire service would benefit from coming here.ONWARD!Jamie RichardsJamie Richards ★★★★★ There is little chance I would have got the help I needed anywhere else. The firefighter environment and being with my brothers and sisters were the key to my treatment. The staff here are a very experienced and professional team. I would encourage any firefighter who might be struggling to come to the COE ASAP.EricEric ★★★★★ Absolutely wonderful facility. When I arrived I was a broken man, a total slave to my addiction. In the 30+ days of time there I became a new man. I was given the tools, the medical care, and support from my peers that made my healing virtually inevitable. If you're struggling and have any doubts about the COE, cast them aside. This place changed my life.P.S. The food is great.Jorge DuranJorge Duran ★★★★★ The COE is more than just a “place”. You’re told from the get go, “We have you from here” and no truer words have been spoken. The staff here truly do care about you and go above and beyond, for everyone. To the clinicians, Physicians, the BHT’s, Ms. Vonnie, David, you all really do save lives. Each and every day. If you’re reading this, on the fence about coming here, do it. Leave no stone unturned, leave it all there. You are the author of your own book, get here and Turn The Page.Ze VueZe Vue ★★★★★ The center of excellence changed my life! I thought I had my anxiety and PTSD under control until I didn’t. They gave me the tools and the environment to help me thrive. Highly recommend this place.acfd186acfd186 ★★★★★ Such an amazing life changing place. From the staff and fire family I met there.Patrick LefebvrePatrick Lefebvre ★★★★★ Place is amazing at understanding what firefighters go through and get hung up on throughout our careers and help us navigate and understand how to get better.Ryan EckertRyan Eckert ★★★★★ Great place, good food. The staff here really cares about you.Bryan FogleBryan Fogle ★★★★★ The COE saved my life. The person I was before my time in treatment and the person I am now are light years different.john mathausjohn mathaus ★★★★★ I came to the COE not truly understanding my behavioral health and what was happening to me. I was working on my treatment for 2.5 months and took advantage of every facet that the center offers.the grounds were very accommodating. It seemed conducive for healing, I felt a great feeling of spirituality energy in the air.I left knowing the work I put in helped, but I would need to continue my care without the protection of the COE grounds. The transition is tricky but the tools have kept me improving. Don’t give up on yourself! Reach out if you need support.My therapist and healthcare team were genuine and kept it real! They were wonderful, beautifully human women.I was allowed to be myself, which I’ve never exposed to fellow firefighters and the acceptance was overwhelming. I became Master of ceremonies for 8 graduations which allowed me to showcase my love for my brothers and sisters and to be there at the end of their on campus treatment.When I returned I continued to expose that to my fire department, and I feel better about it.Be aware that you may find out As one of my departments Peer support members and my work with mobile integrated health, I came back with a 80% increase in empathy and understanding addictions.Thank you for all you’ve done!!!a feda fed ★★★★★ m mm m ★★★★★ I went to the Center of excellence in 2022 and 2023. The difference between my two visits was in 2023. I listen to everything they said I paid attention. I learned about PTSD and when I left the facility, I followed all of her instructions continuing my therapy twice a week, going to my NA meetings, going to a slower firehouse and building a network of men around me to keep me on the right path which in fact turned out to be the guys I Worked with the longest and guys you would never expect stepped up and held me accountable. I can say now I'm living a life that I didn't even know existed or even something to dream about because you have no idea the kind of freedom you can get in the hell that we've all been trapped in so if you're lucky enough to make it to the center of excellence I'll tell you this and then shut up. It's basically a tourniquet on a hemorrhaging wound to stop the bleeding stabilize you give you all the tools necessary for when you leave because when you leave that's when the real work starts and you have to go see the brain, surgeon or neurosurgeon to repair the damage arteries so you can enjoy the rest of your life. I no longer have Nonstop, intrusive thoughts From all the trauma, I have seen over a 22 year career DCFD But I also don't have Intrusive thoughts about suicidal ideation's In any way Whatsoever. I'll say this and then try to shut up When you leave the COE The best group of men to help you even though your mind And the culture you grew up in, tells you Not to talk to the guys you work with. Believe me when I tell you, those guys will support you and relate to what you're going through more than anyone else. You'll probably be scared and have anxiety about Talking to them and opening up. But trust me, I did it And I walk through that fear and now have stronger Relationships with these guys then I've ever had.Bobby JergensonBobby Jergenson ★★★★★ Wow, where do I even begin. The Center of Excellence (COE) and staff has given me the Hope and Inspiration for life, I truly never could expected. It has was Educational, Stimulating and very much Worthwhile... to say the least.Lets start with the people who keep the Coe running like a well oiled machine. The BHT's, create a positive and professional attitudes for "The Clients" @ COE. They provide must of our comfort items and go beyond expectations To help create the atmosphere as Homey as possible. Sherica Hanson, Francis Kanu, Beverly Vital, Marlon Mason, Adeyinka Davies, Pamela Sharpe, Harrison Lockear, Thomas Hollaway, Ethiopia Abebe and Lakisha Rhodes to name a few of the BHT's.The doctors are Extraordinarily on top of their game and top notch! Super knowledgeable, caring, trusting and make the clients feel secure/safe. I can say for myself, I was scared, lonely, confused, helpless and insignificant!!! Dr. Abby Morris lowered my anxiety when I first talked and met with her. She gave me feel relaxed and valuable. thank you Dr. Morris... we talked about gypsies and other things not related to my issues that gave me a sense of value and hope I needed, without even trying. Dr.Latte was the funniest and stern. Dr.Korman has the calming and nurturing sides that totally makes people relaxed and at ease. Zero feelings of being in the principals office. Quite the opposite!David (Dave) Thomas is very easy to talk and interact with. He is not the CEO of Wendy's... but is the CEO of the COE... lol... Dave also cared about the clients and would be outside during class changes to ask how everyone is doing. He was very present and interactive.I will say, NOTHING happens at the COE with out Jevonnah (Ms. Vonnie) Coleman. It doesn't matter the question, concern or issue a client may have... Vonnie is the Go TO Lady... without a doubt. She loves us all, as if we were her own children. Definitly can not say enough GREAT things about Ms.Vonnie.Nurse Rachel and Allo Peterkin were the go to nurses for anything Medicine... lol. They did their jobs effortlessly and were always cheerful.We had it easy around the COE... the cleaning crew and cooks keep us happy and clean. The food was absolutely beyond expectations. Not one bad meal for 43 days... impressive cooking staff (Terrie, Brandon, Von, Dominic and Mr.Cook). We never had to clean up our messes. we did clean our own cloths but not the facility!! Special thanks to kitchen staff and cleaning crew. Awesome job! Thank you.The clinicians are exceptional individuals. How they keep everything together is amazing. The tools and knowledge they provide is life changing. They all play a very important roll in the clients success! They are the Backbone of the COE. From Courtney, Claudette, Kimberly, Grace, Robin, Raina Burlek. these are just a few I can remember. They all touch ALL of the clients in ways they can't understand. Such positivity and energy portrayed by the clinicians. Thank all of the Clinicians for everything yall do!!Kaitlyn and Raina had a special and major impact on my recovery. Kaitlyn's SGB shot and Raina Burlek"s EMDR treatments were my saving grace. I never would have thought I had PTSD, never mind how intensely it was impacting my Life in a negative manner.The EMDR treatments have been totally life changing. Raina B. was my clinician for the treatments. She must be the EMDR Master. It seemed like a "Hokus-Pokus" style treatment. The very first session made a noticeable difference. The reprocessing actually worked. Major stuck point, no longer an issue. How I remembered the incident totally changed in a positive manner. Raina was easy to work with, she explained the process in a way I could understand. I was able to relax during the sessions. She has a creative style that makes you trust and believe in her. Which creates an overwhelming sense of Trust. Thanks Raina Burlek you helped change my life in so many ways! thank you!Special Thanks to the IAFF. The support received from this facility has been Tremendous. Again, Thanks everyone.Joseph RiggioJoseph Riggio ★★★★★ I had an outstanding experience at the Center of Excellence. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcomed and supported. The environment is professional yet warm, and you can really tell they are dedicated to helping their clients achieve their goals. The services offered are top-notch, and I left feeling confident and empowered. Highly recommend this place to any firefighter looking for quality care and exceptional serviceBryant GaskinsBryant Gaskins ★★★★★ My family was excited to see that I’m back to their dad and husband. The program was my second rehab and was extraordinary. Being in that environment and having the true feeling of openness was the difference. All of the personnel made the stay easy. There was no negative vibe or look. I could only wish I would have been able to go there back in February instead of the other rehab. I would have been back to normal then. I can’t be more thankful for the help. ThanksChris BonnerChris Bonner ★★★★★ Mrs V. Is the #1 most kindhearted, genuine and caring person that you’ll encounter there .There’s so many good staff members there.Matthew RoopeMatthew Roope ★★★★★ The facilities and staff are awesome with a focus on the specific needs of those working in Fire/EMS.Anthony TrapaniAnthony Trapani ★★★★★ This place saved my life. Specifically for IAFF members and retirees.js_loader

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