The Peniel facility provides two dormitories, one for the Male program and the other for the Ladies program. Contact between male and female clients is strictly forbidden. We believe that in order to effectively treat an individual, distractions, including interaction with the opposite sex who is currently receiving treatment, are a detriment. Each client is assigned to a room in his/ her appropriate dormitory with one to three other person(s). All residents are given a locker and drawer space to store personal belongings. The dormitories are spacious and comfortable, providing lounges, restrooms and showers, a laundry room, and a barbershop.

All clients are given a daily schedule to follow which includes set times for events, daily routines, and circumstances designed to produce growth. Program structure serves as a basis for a therapeutic setting designed to support strengths and reveal weaknesses.

Residential life is incorporated into the client’s treatment by producing an effective environment that allows each individual to exhibit his/ her personality and receive constructive criticism from staff with the aim of changing negative behavior. The living conditions provide an ideal setting for residents to interact with each other in order to experience “real-life” problems and learn how to handle situations through constructive methods. Clients are required to take responsibility for their actions and encouraged to support and confront each other in healthy and positive ways.

Another building block towards attaining and maintaining life-long sobriety is the integration of classes into the client’s treatment. In addition to teaching new information the secondary purpose is to develop or redevelop client’s critical thinking and reasoning skills. Over time addiction breaks down human intellect and by getting clients to use cognitive thinking skills, we aim to re-establish and rebuild what was lost.

Some of the classes offered are:

• Money Management
• Parenting Skills
• Destroying the Victim’s Mentality
• Drug Awareness
• Spiritual Growth
• Career Planning
• Journey To Me

Since work is a valid part of the client’s life after treatment, he/ she is trained to successfully re-enter the work force. However in this setting, greater emphasis is placed upon character rather than skill. Character traits such as initiative, integrity on and off the job, neatness, and responsibility are stressed. He/ she learns professionalism, time management, teamwork, and to have a spirit of excellence no matter how great or seemingly small the task. Clients learn to demonstrate, through their behavior and attitude that they know how to cooperate with others and work within structure.

Peniel believes that by encouraging and providing positive activities we can confirm to our clients that it’s possible to have fun without the use of drugs or alcohol. Peniel teaches clients new and intriguing ways of dealing with free time. There are healthy alternatives that are implemented into the resident's overall treatment plan. These alternatives include but are not limited to special projects, physical education, culturally stimulating events, and group interaction.

Some activities available to Peniel residents are:

• Physical fitness and exercise in the gymnasium and fitness center
• Literary and expository resources in the fully furnished library
• Various sporting activities including basketball, football, volleyball, running, softball, and  ping-pong
• Friday movie/snack night - clients can request rental movies, beverages, and snack food and enjoy fun and fellowship
• Peniel Choir and music ensemble

Counseling is a key component for teaching clients innovative techniques for living sober lives. While in treatment clients receive multiple types of counsel including but not limited to the following:

Individual counseling is scheduled on a weekly basis between the primary counselor and the counselee. In these sessions clients express their personal issues and how they are feeling. Counselors convey wisdom and insight and develop a healthy, Christian analysis for treatment.

Group Counseling is also held on a weekly basis but is geared towards the clients sharing amongst themselves with the facilitation of staff. Staff presents the group with a stimulating topic each week and allows them to go to work conversing about the issue. Groups are a significant element in treating clients for two reasons. One, it shows them that they are not alone in facing their problems, that there are others out there and they have a support group. And two, it gives them an avenue to work with other like-minded individuals to develop solutions to problems.

Family counseling is an integral part of client’s recovery. Peniel believes that because addictions affect more than just the abuser, and that the majority of the time it’s the families hurt most, they should have a role in their loved one’s treatment. Because of this philosophy, family counseling sessions are incorporated. During these sessions, families are encouraged to share their feelings and the devastating effects that their loved ones substance abuse has caused. Likewise, clients express their feelings and reasonable solutions are worked out through the aiding of the counseling staff. Families are encouraged to support their loved ones throughout their tenure at Peniel and persuade them to complete.

A relationship with God is encouraged as clients learn Scriptural support for overcoming their addictions.