Little Hill – Blairstown

My experience at Alina Lodge and working with all the staff was life changing. Every single encounter, whether it be housekeeping, kitchen staff, counselors, administrative was positive, friendly, and therapeutic. I… worked with a step couch and a discharge planner constantly to prepare me to transition home and maintain sobriety. Alina Lodge has changed my life and my family's life for the better and I will always be grateful for the road to recovery they have put me on.

This is a great place to get sober. Attentive staff, good counselors and beautiful grounds.

What an amazing place!! The staff went above and beyond for each and every resident. Admissions, counseling, nurses, and the milieu. They cared about me like I was their family, not just there for recovery.The structure… of the group's, classes and meetings, meditation and yoga were all very helpful with getting me grounded. Showed me how to build a routine to go home so I could continue my road to recovery. We even got to do some fun functions to get out and enjoy normalcy while we were recovering. Caring for horses, kayaking, gardening, and fishing. I can say I made lifelong friends with the staff and numerous girls who were in Noble house with me.

It's impossible to reach admissions we refered several clients Noone is picking up in admissions that's not right

I will be forever grateful to Alina Lodge for the genuine care & support I received there. They absolutely helped to save my life & my marriage. I was almost sent to High Watch their sister facility in CT, and I’m so… thankful that I wasn’t because I would’ve been sick throughout my entire stay and not able to concentrate on my recovery since they do not allow anyone to stay on maintenance medication there. The doctors at Alina understood this, and encouraged me to stay on medication which allowed me to make the most of my time there. The connections I made with guests & staff, from their mental health team who helped me find the correct combination of meds for the first time in my life, to late night conversations with facilitators when I couldn’t sleep, to the many friendships I made that will last a lifetime, I couldn’t have found a more healing environment for my recovery. It is well structured, but also allows a freedom of movement that doesn’t treat guests like children, as some other facilities are known to do. Smoking & vaping are allowed, and you can do so at any hour if you feel the need. If you can’t sleep you’re free to walk the beautiful campus that was once a farm with rustic dorms in a renovated old barn & roost, and you’re likely to see a family of deer which roam freely, and will sometimes come within 5 feet of you. It is quite an experience when you’re contemplating life at 1:00 am to look up and see the mother crossing your path who has been affectionately named Dolly by previous residents. From 7:30 to 3:00 they keep you busy with 4 groups spread out over the day along with meals. It’s a good structure that allows enough time in between for short breaks and lunch in between the 2 morning and 2 afternoon groups which are lead by counselors & facilitators. Most are in recovery, some of whom are previous guests themselves, so all have an intimate understanding of what you’re going through. Free time from 3:00 to 7:00 with dinner in between, and a final AA or NA meeting each night from 7:00-8:00. You can then get time on the shared TV in each dorm from 9-11, and house phones are available from 3:30-5:00 & 9-11. Access to your cell phone, tablet, or laptop is available M, W, F for 30 minutes if you sign up for it, but finally being disconnected from my cell phone for 28 days was one of the best parts of the experience! The cafeteria is open 24/7 for anyone who wakes up needing a snack there is always fruit, English muffins, cereal, cheese, tea, & juice available. At breakfast you’ll always have scrambled eggs & egg whites, pancakes or French toast, bacon, sausage or corn beef hash, and some omlet or fried egg type option. I would always have a heaping pile of bacon, and there’s always plenty left to go back for seconds. Lunch & dinner always offer a meat & fish option, with plenty of veggies & starches, custom salads, and baked chicken & pasta available everyday at both meals if you’re a picky eater. I came in as someone who was ready to change my life, but was totally resistant to 12 step programs & rehabs in general, but something about this special place was able to make me a true believer within 5 days of my arrival. It’s one of the oldest residential treatment facilities in the country, and there is an energy there that is indescribable until you’ve experienced it yourself. I don’t believe in woo woo nonsense, but I quickly came to believe that we had all been gathered there for a reason, some deeper purpose. Addicts are some of the most interesting, unique, intelligent, and empathetic people, which is why we’re so sensitive to the human condition, and prone to self medicating. When clean and renewed there’s no one better to have in your corner, so anyone looking to come back to life as the best version of themselves, I recommend Alina Lodge as one of the greatest options out there. I know that I feel completely reborn, and there are no words to properly express my gratitude. Much Love, Nick C

Somehow the intake guy John did tremendous damage to my life and my family before I even went. He then proceeded to disrespectfully dismiss my very real concerns with making the whole situation work. He took someone who… was essentially on board and made them completely discouraged and uninterested. Great job John. Maybe you should find a new intake guy. This guy couldn't be a worse ambassador for the program. If he is an example of what the staff are like I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy.

Thanks to this place, coming up on almost 10 months sober. I'm honestly not a huge fan of these types of places, but if you really want to get sober and you put your mind to it, these people will surely help you get… there.

My loved one and myself has an horrific 3 weeks there I had to pull him out of group, since better CBD skilled opened up And not just pointless Groups. John

If you’re considering Alina Lodge for yourself or a loved one, please read this review carefully. My experience at Alina Lodge was not just disappointing, it was genuinely traumatic. I entered treatment expecting a… safe, supportive environment focused on recovery. Instead, I left feeling abandoned, humiliated, and emotionally damaged. I was discharged after another client passed me a note. Staff searched my room and found absolutely nothing. No contraband, no drugs, no prohibited items, and no evidence that I had done anything wrong. Despite finding nothing, they still chose to remove me from the program. I was never given a fair opportunity to defend myself or understand how such an extreme decision could be justified. What happened afterward was even more disturbing. Rather than ensuring I had safe transportation or a secure place to wait, Alina Lodge dropped me off at Dale’s Market in a town in New Jersey that I had never been to before. I was completely unfamiliar with the area. To make matters worse, the location was next to a liquor store and a marijuana dispensary. Think about that for a moment: a treatment center claiming to care about recovery discharged a client and left him sitting steps away from places selling alcohol and marijuana. I was left there alone with all of my luggage for approximately two and a half hours while my father drove from Manhattan to come get me. During that entire time, I sat outside feeling abandoned, vulnerable, and terrified. I had no support, no plan, and no familiarity with my surroundings. I was simply dropped off and left to figure it out. The message this sent was crystal clear: once they decided they no longer wanted me there, my safety and wellbeing no longer mattered. What haunts me most is how quickly I went from being a patient they claimed to care about to someone they were willing to leave stranded in an unfamiliar town. The fear, anxiety, humiliation, and helplessness I felt that day have stayed with me. To this day, I still think about being left there with my belongings, wondering how a treatment facility could treat a vulnerable person with such disregard. Recovery is built on trust, safety, and support. My experience at Alina Lodge shattered all three. Regardless of their policies, there is no excuse for handling a discharge in a way that leaves someone feeling abandoned and traumatized. A facility entrusted with helping people at some of the lowest points in their lives should be held to a far higher standard than what I experienced. I cannot recommend Alina Lodge to anyone. My experience left me with lasting emotional scars and a deep distrust of a facility that was supposed to help people heal. Anyone considering treatment here deserves to know that this was my experience and to decide for themselves whether this is how a recovery program should treat its clients.

My son went there and i nor he was impressed with the “therapy”, the family meeting or the actual game plan to get the help my son badly needs. As a loving father you would do anything for your child and it wasn’t cheap… and we’re promised we would be working with a licensed counselor, that was not true either. Beautiful campus, hard to communicate with people Needed for my son’s life on the line.

Alina Lodge has an incredible team and a truly welcoming, supportive environment. The staff are compassionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about helping people succeed. You can tell there’s a strong sense of… purpose behind everything they do. The program itself feels thoughtful, well-structured, and focused on creating real change. And such wonderful history behind the facility!!! It’s refreshing to see a place with such positive energy and people who truly care about the individuals and families they serve. Highly recommend!

I would strongly caution families considering Alina Lodge. My son was promised aftercare that never materialized, required to sign a strict contract in detox without our knowledge, and ultimately discharged and dropped… off alone in an unfamiliar town near a liquor store—two hours from home. This raised serious concerns about safety, communication, and follow-through. Go somewhere else!

My experience at Alina Lodge was truly life-changing. When I arrived, I was at one of the lowest points in my life, unsure if recovery was even possible for me. The staff, clinicians, and facilitators welcomed me with… compassion, patience, and genuine care. From the very beginning, they created an environment where I felt safe enough to be honest about my struggles and begin the difficult work of recovery. The clinicians at Alina Lodge are incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated. They helped me understand the underlying causes of my addiction and gave me the tools I needed to start rebuilding my life. The facilitators brought wisdom from their own experiences and guided our groups with empathy and understanding. Every day they showed up committed to helping each of us grow, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. Thank you!

I don’t know how the aftercare coordinator Rachel sleeps at night taking advantage of clients for financial gain and shoving them further into a system. No freedom.

Alina Lodge saved my life. The people who work there (counselors, nurses, facilitators and office staff) genuinely care about guests and recovery. I just passed 90 days and I'm confident that I will stay on my recovery… journey. And the food in the dining hall is AMAZING. The entire structure of the program is built to ensure that guests succeed in recovery if they are serious about it. They also do a wonderful job introducing guests to both the AA and NA programs. Highly recommended.

This is by far THE BEST place I have been to. The staff are AMAZING; Knowledgeable, kind, helpful, and caring. Having tried to get sober for years (4 Inpatient and twice as many out patients or more); Alina Lodge and… its staff have put me on the right path. I am more confident than ever before. I spent 139 days there (on my own accord) and the time away was exactly what I needed. If you really “want it” they will help you. I can’t recommend this place enough. The food is top notch (kudos to the kitchen staff. I love them😋). The grounds are beautiful and serene (flowing river, bald eagles, deer, bobcats, and a bear or two or you’re lucky). Dorms are awesome (if you’re in the Barn or the Roost 😎). The clinical and medical staff are wonderful and extremely knowledgable. Most staff are in recovery themselves (just ask) and they share their experience, strength, and hope. It is my belief that this is what makes a good faciThey lead by example, which is exactly what I needed to see and hear. This place undoubtedly saved my life. If I could give more stars I would. I love everyone there. They’re the best. 5 months and counting... ✌🏻💚🤙🏻

thank you for saving my life

Very widespread gender discrimination and homophobia at this facility. They separate people based on sex and the quality of treatment/the activities are not equal. There are several openly sexist and homophobic staff… members at this facility. The discrimination I experienced here was a detriment to my recovery. If you are female or part of the LGBTQ community avoid this facility at all costs. (Men should avoid at all costs as well but for different reasons). I was dealing with mental health issues during my stay and was not provided with the proper care. They only do 12 step based groups, no mental health focused sessions and very little individual time with a counselor. They are highly controlling and they will manipulate your family to force you to stay if your insurance covers it. The staff here routinely takes advantage of those dealing with addiction for financial gain. They knew the extent of my mental issues, and knowing they couldn’t provide me with the proper care, they tried to force me to stay another month. It wasn’t until the second time I had a mental health episode and was taken to the hospital, then they finally let me go. I left this facility on 12 different psychiatric medications. If you are dealing with mental health issues avoid this facility at all costs. I left Alina Lodge in a worse state then when I entered the facility. Relapsed the day I got out. I have been clean now for almost 2 years, but this facility was a detriment to my recovery and I would encourage people to avoid Alina Lodge.

I did not have a good experience at Alina and it was like I was forced there and if I Didn’t do anything they said they would call My parents (I’m 45). Some of the staff was great, the upper management I don’t think… they introduced themselves one time to me or any other guest, save yourself the time and energy and go to a better place. It was a waste of time And money. I know the saying it’s what you make of it, but all they made off of me was money with a lot broken promises.

Alina lodge gave me the tools to understand my disease and how to cope with issues I’ve been suppressing. The staff truly cares. It’s a beautiful facility. I would have gone much sooner if I knew how great the food is… !!! Seriously!!

Firstly the pictures they show you aren’t their facility, the pictures are from a detox center and not the rooms on site. You can’t read anything here that isn’t AA big book or NA, not even a bible. No music or tv… except on limited occasions, it’s a very archaic style rehab. Your privileges including cigarettes can’t be taken away just for looking at the opposite sex. Women and men are kept separate to a 1950’s standard. Imagine not being allowed a cup of coffee for being late to breakfast, and being forced to wear a suit or dress to dinner. This would be your last resort only if you have been to countless rehabs before and even then I can’t say it helped. This was my first rehab and I got sober not because of anything here, but my own power of will.

I stayed at Alina Lodge twice for detox. I had a terrible experience the second time. They tried to force me to stay for inpatient when in fact I had another program lined up. This is a detox that also does inpatient… also and tries to bully patients that aren't knowledgable about the fact that the patient is the client. Inpatient is not mandatory with a detox. I had a different facility lined up for a PHP because inpatient was unnecessary. Then as I was leaving the suddenly lost my clothes, wallet, jackets, shoes - all in excess of $2500. When I asked themn to view the tapes to see who on their staff stole them during my intake - they refused and can you believe - they called the police on me and told me to leave and file a claim with my insurance. This after they made tens of thousands of dollars from me. I had no credit cards and was freezing outside while the police escorted me out. This place is in the middle of nowhere. Thank God they didn't lose my phone - I had to make emerency calls to pay for a ride 2 hours to my house and wasn't able to go straight to my PHP because of this. Alina is unethical in how they try and force patients into inpatient and I should be investigated by the insurance companies for fraud. I have called 3 times and they have no desire to look fort my things or retrurn them. Some of them are very personal in value. I hope my review sparks someone there with a moral compass to find my things and apologize for tossing me out into the cold when I was nicely asking them to look for my things. This place isn't worth it. Some of the staff were great but the brass at the top do not care and they don't do enough 12 step pgrogrammingv to do anythingo ther than keep you sober while you are there and they are bilking insurance $4000-5000 a day. Alina won't keep most people sober once you leave long term, unless you are really independent and latch on to a sponsor, homegroup and stepwork. Go to Sunrise Detox in Cherry Hill, Princeton Detox or Haven Detox - much better facilities. For a rehab - go somewhere modern that cares about you and won't call the police on you because they messed up. I recomend Empower, Legacy Rehab, All in Solutions and Footprints NJ. All of them are top notch. It takes a very egregious situation for me to complain but it has been 9 months and they won't call me back on finbding my personal belongings. It is building a resentment so I am going to stand up for myself as a mis-treated client. Buyer beware with Alina Lodge. Anyone with questions or recommendations - I am willing to share my experiences if it might help someone - just email me.

Folks are only as happy as they make thier minds up to be

While I was a resident at Alina I was asked to go to Family? I kept telling Edith I didn’t know what building Family was. She continued pointing out at which point I raised my voice. I was then kicked out of the program… and sent to another for mental health. The staff were completely incompetent and unable to assist me. Find another facility to go to

Phenomenal organization that truly cares about its patients recovery and were so helpful in my daughter's treatment, she is better off now from where she was when she first went in. It was not a perfect experience -… there were several miscommunications that detracted from the recovery but their management owned all mistakes and missteps - Bill and Jen were especially forthcoming in this, something I appreciated. Most of the other staff were exemplary in their roles in supporting patients in their journey - want to especially recognize Amber as someone who exemplified the lodge's ideals of compassion and professionalism, she made a difference in my daughter's life.

God bless AL.. Not sure what to say other than I am eternally grateful.. LongLiveTee!!

I underwent two 28-day stays at Alina Lodge. I relapsed after both stays. However, I eventually found sobriety and have been sober for over two years. At the end of the first year, I decided to go back to school to be a… clinical counselor, which largely informs my current perspective. To start, I will share the positive aspects of Alina Lodge: the grounds are beautiful, the staff is kind, and the food is great. Alina Lodge is a hardcore 12-step centric rehab facility. While certain clinical staff members may possess training in evidence based modalities, there are no behaviorally focused or formal psychotherapeutic groups. There was one DBT lecture throughout my two stays. Instead, the majority of the groups center around 12-Step literature.The staff members possess a wealth of knowledge on 12 step programming. That is not the same of having significant knowledge on addiction/substance use disorder. It is problematic that they do not provide information regarding alternative approaches to recovery, such as SMART recovery. Providing this information is rudimentary to informed consent. It’s fine that Alina Lodge utilizes a 12 step approach. That said, it is not okay that they present AA/NA as the only viable options. Supporters of AA often cite a Cochrane Study published in 2020, without critically evaluating its limitations or acknowledging that additional research is still needed. Suffice to say, AA has an extremely low success rate, and it is not because you or your loved one is selfish or constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. It’s because AA is a spiritual solution to a psychological problem. You or your family member will not receive regular psychotherapy. Guests meet with their counselor 1x/week. Many of these individuals are certified drug and alcohol counselors, which does not require formal education or permit them to practice psychotherapy. This is unusual to typical residential programs where patients see a licensed clinician at least 1x/week for 45-60 minutes. Because of this, the psychological aspects of addiction or co-occurring issues are rarely diagnosed or explored. It also is not fair that certain guests were assigned to licensed clinicians. For instance, some of my peers regularly received therapy throughout their stay. Alina Lodge needs to make this more consistent, and they need to be more transparent regarding limitations in treating and assessing co-occurring mental health disorders. They do not have a psychiatrist on staff full-time. There is one psychiatrist who comes 1x/week in the evening to see 60+ guests. In retrospect, it’s concerning that each guest does not receive a full psychiatric assessment. I believe that it is available for an additional fee. However, they do not make this service widely known. Their after-care recommendations are one-size fits all and are a continuation of 12 step treatment. Never was the importance of continued psychotherapy stressed: meetings, meetings, meetings! They also do not inform guests or family members that communal/outside AA is riddled with systemic and safety issues. I do not think that the omissions and treatment structure is malicious. They truly believe in the 12 step approach, and the treatment offered is consistent with those beliefs. Many of the other, smaller issues at Alina largely resemble those seen in communal AA, where I am an active member. That said, they are constantly readmitting guests, and that honestly makes me sad: there are numerous ways to obtain/maintain recovery, and perhaps the one Alina offers is not what best meets their needs. Overall, I cannot universally recommend Alina Lodge. There is no way an individual leaves a 28-day stay with an idea of the root causes of their addictive behavior. That said, they will leave with significant knowledge of AA. There are many facilities that incorporate 12 step ideology and AA into treatment. However, they also provide evidence based care. Perhaps Alina Lodge has made changes– unfortunately, I’m not aware of them.

Its been 3 weeks since I completed the 28 day program on (August 5, 2025) at Alina Lodge . From the moment I arrived (July 8, 2025)I felt comfortable and safe. THIS PLACE NOT ONLY SAVED MY LIFE IT ALSO BROUGHT LIFE BACK… TO ME MENTALLY EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY! The program they have is great and I learned more and more about addiction but even more so about myself. The staff there are great , kind, loving amd compassionate. They are there to help and as long as you ask for that help you will get it . The environment was amazing given the space and time to recover and reflect on each group session. My favorite spot to sit and reflect was in the gazebo close the the river . The food was great each meal was also good and filling. Now at 48 days clean today 8/25/2025 i feel so great my life has improved dramatically! Thanks to the wrok i put it and the structure of Alina Lodge!!! I love you guys and thank you for helping me regain traction in my life I will be forever grateful! -Mike Liaci

If you are considering Alina Lodge for yourself or a loved one—please read. I had transferred to Alina from Highwatch. I was expecting a similar experience due to the recent acquisition of Alina by Highwatch. I was very… wrong. It seems like they bought Alina and ran out of funding so they just left it to operate with no actual assistance financially or structurally. First of all, the facility looks like a cheap motel. The women’s dorm Is covered in cobwebs and dustballs and hasn’t been updated since the 1940s. My room had a broken toilet seat and smelled of moth balls. I was fortunate not to detox there. If I had gone to that detox I would have checked myself out. If you do me decide to ama you need to wait 96 hours. The detox unit is in the tiny dimly lit infirmary. Every single patient walks through there 3 times a day for meds, meaning there is no privacy. There are only two bathrooms. There is one common room which is cramped if there are more than 3 people and there is only one tv. I believe some of the rooms have tvs but they are old box tvs wirh only a few channels. There is one small table that detox eats meals at which is right in the middle of the infirmary. The line for meds goes right past it. There are no beds for anyone who isn’t in detox to lay down in. Just one loveseat. When I arrived the doctor who did my intake was coughing and I overheard the nurses saying how he was too sick to be at work and should have stayed home. He didn’t wear a mask and when I inquired about starting MAT he told me he “wasn’t going to deal with that”. The next day I had an awful cold but was only given ibuprofen. I filled out several request forms for MAT and this was never addressed. It seemed like there was no coordination to the schedules and they were just attempting to fill the day. All 3 meal times are either an hour or an hour and 15 minutes (I can’t remember) in which you must stay seated the whole time. None of the groups have any structure to them. It’s basically sit in a circle and read whatever the leader could come up with last minute and discuss. More often than not it was just a time to talk about your feelings. There was never a name to a group. It was just “bills group” or “Bernie’s group” etc. The “therapists” act as your therapist, your recovery coach, your family therapist, your treatment evaluator, and your aftercare specialist. The worst is Michelle. Everyone hopes not to get Michelle. She is “scatter brained”. She spends the entire therapy session talking about her self and how she understands addiction first hand because she has an estranged family member that she financially enables who is an addict. She does not have a single valuable piece of input and 75% of the meetings with her are therapy for her. Anything you ask her to do she will have forgotten within 10 minutes. Being a prior patient at both a state funded rehabilitation center and Highwatch, I would choose either in a heartbeat. This facility is not equipped to handle anyone with any medical needs. Several patients that complete the program are readmitted within two weeks. If you are considering Alina lodge for yourself or a family member, I suggest you to find somewhere else. If you are paying out of pocket, I beg you to find somewhere else! Alina lodge does not care about you nor do they care about your recovery.