The discourse surrounding substance abuse and addiction, especially in adolescent men, has often been complicated by misconceptions and stigmas. The public opinion and legislative focus surrounding drugs and alcohol has shifted from decade to decade, but addiction and the recovery of young men who have substance abuse disorders are historically touchy subjects. Manos House, a residential rehabilitation facility located at 1290 Prospect Road, Columbia, is one of many efforts to confront the stigma surrounding recovering addicts and help young men pursue healthy and fulfilling lives.

Manos House is one of three programs offered by nonprofit organization Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (DARS). The program serves young men between 14 and 20 years old who are experiencing substance abuse disorder as well as many clients who may have committed crimes as a result of their addictions. Manos House residents typically live on campus for four to six months, during which time they have access to a variety of services and resources to help them on the road to recovery.

"We focus on all the underlying issues that have led a young man to seek drug use as a coping strategy or a means to relieve emotional and mental pain," said Chris Runkle, executive director of DARS. "Early on, we fell victim to the same stance as society: Don't talk about substance abuse addiction. We realized that philosophy is against our mission; we want people to know what we're doing and how we do it."

The residential treatment center was established in 1972, and it became incorporated as a DARS service program in 1975. Manos House operated in Lancaster city for several decades until the program moved to its current facility in 2012. The nonprofit decided to move from its former location to expand its programming and square footage, as its two downtown facilities were consistently at full capacity. The move to Columbia allowed Manos House to offer clients additional resources and a full roster of services, including the addition of a computer lab, a kitchen for cooking classes, an art therapy room and a music studio. The Manos House program incorporates various academic resources and amenities designed to give residents access to creative outlets. The facility recently added a woodworking shop, where clients can learn skills such as home repair and carpentry.

"Our core belief is that our clientele's needs are always changing. For us to be adaptable and inclusive to what their needs are, we must continue to expand our programming to new outlets," Runkle said. "Maybe it's an opportunity for guys to build a demolition derby car to develop the self-confidence and communication skills that will lead them to be successful young men in the community."

For more information, visit https://manoshouse.com.