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Act Fast – Limited Capacity

Marlboro, MD

IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery

The IAFF Center of Excellence is a flagship recovery center where IAFF members can heal from behavioral health conditions.

“After getting my life-changing treatment, I can now be home with a clear feeling in my brain, and not have to worry about if I will live through the day.”

John Bates, IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery Alumni

Facility Overview

Through a partnership between the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and Advanced Recovery Systems, a nationwide leader in rehabilitation and behavioral health, the IAFF Center of Excellence is a flagship recovery center where IAFF members can heal from behavioral health conditions.

The first of its kind, the IAFF Center of Excellence offers treatment exclusively for fire fighters, dispatchers and first responders. We offer treatment for mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief, along with rehab for drug and alcohol abuse.

Located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the IAFF Center for Excellence is approximately 30 minutes from Washington, DC, and an hour from Dulles International Airport. Designed with fire fighters in mind, our 15-acre campus is ideal for focusing on treatment and recovery. Our dual-diagnosis rehab programs balance medical support with mental health counseling, while our recreational therapies facilitate whole-person healing.

The IAFF Center of Excellence is accredited by The Joint Commission, a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, and licensed by the state of Maryland for both substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment.

Levels of Care

During this level of care, clients work through withdrawal symptoms under the supervision of medical professionals.

Also known as inpatient treatment, residential treatment is the most intensive level of care after medical detox, with continued monitoring while living at the facility full-time.

Partial hospitalization is a step down from intensive rehab like detox and inpatient care.

During intensive outpatient treatment, clients usually live off-site at a facility but are dedicated to preparing for life after rehab.

In outpatient programming, clients live at home or in a sober living home and commute to rehab during the week.

Outline each client’s next steps after their treatment ends, including follow-up appointments and recommendations for nearby support groups.

Clinically Managed Detox

During this level of care, clients work through withdrawal symptoms under the supervision of medical professionals.

Residential Treatment

Also known as inpatient treatment, residential treatment is the most intensive level of care after medical detox, with continued monitoring while living at the facility full-time.

Partial Hospitalization Programming

Partial hospitalization is a step down from intensive rehab like detox and inpatient care.

Intensive Outpatient Programming

During intensive outpatient treatment, clients usually live off-site at a facility but are dedicated to preparing for life after rehab.

Outpatient Programming

In outpatient programming, clients live at home or in a sober living home and commute to rehab during the week.

Aftercare Planning

Outline each client’s next steps after their treatment ends, including follow-up appointments and recommendations for nearby support groups.

About This Facility

Facility Amenities

  • Swimming pool
  • Exercise gym
  • Basketball court
  • Sand volleyball court
  • Walking trails
  • Pickleball
  • Yoga
  • Foosball table
  • Ping pong table
  • Video games

Other

Vapes Allowed
Off-site field trips

Available amenities and activities may differ depending on the level of care.

Accepted Insurance

The IAFF Center of Excellence is in-network with most major insurance carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United. 

If you don’t have health insurance or your coverage is limited, that shouldn’t prevent you from accessing care. The IAFF Center of Excellence offers private pay options to accommodate your needs.

We are simplifying the health insurance verification process with our online system, allowing you to verify your benefits in seconds. By streamlining the insurance verification process, we connect you to the care you need, as quickly as possible. 

Our online insurance verification tool is HIPAA-compliant, so your information stays completely confidential.

IAFF Center of Excellence Reviews

John D'Amour
4 days ago
I had a very positive experience at the COE. The staff was amazing and the peer counseling from other firefighters going through similar experiences was a very welcoming experience as well. If you are in the fire service, I believe this is the best place for your treatment. I know it changed my life.
Harlie DeRosa
1 week ago
Best decision I’ve made for myself was going to the COE. 35 days of consistent hard work and refocusing on my mental health and now I feel like a brand new person. The clinicians are truly the best in their field. People say the heart of the home is the kitchen and Chef Dom Brandon Von and the rest of the kitchen crew truly hold that saying as truth. Dr. Late, Dr. Kormen, Ms. Vonnie, and David 10/10
Adam Jones
1 week ago
Every IAFF firefighter should consider this unique and life changing place. Its magic, if you let it be. The clinicians, staff and medical team are absolutely incredible... and the kitchen staff, WOW! This is a place where you will experience healing and growth beyond your expectations. Enter this place willing to do the work and you will find success in a way you never thought possible. If you are reading this, take this as the sign! Please, go change your life for the better forever. The only regret you will have is not doing it sooner. Do it for you, your family and the brotherhood!
Jon Gray
1 month ago
Fantastic helpful program with wonderful staff of clinicians and doctors. Saved my life
Chad Mills
1 month ago
This place is amazing. 10 out of 10. I wish I had gone sooner.
Victor Compher
1 month ago
At this point, I have just begun my journey! All of the staff at the COE has been very helpful and consistent in trying to make sure everything is as smooth as possible for this experience.

Our Team

FAQs

Yes, rehab at the IAFF Center of Excellence is always confidential, and your presence here will only be disclosed to the people you choose. Your union leaders, fellow fire fighters, friends and family members will not be informed of your treatment without your consent.

Cell phones will be securely stored upon arrival and returned at discharge. Following an initial adjustment period upon arrival, clients may use our facility’s phones three times a week.

No, our facility does not pay for transportation to or from the center, but representatives can help clients coordinate travel arrangements, if necessary.

Read About Traveling to Rehab

Treatment program lengths at the IAFF Center of Excellence vary depending on each client’s needs. We understand that many fire fighters and first responders may be concerned about time spent away from their jobs, but typically, the longer a person stays in treatment, the better equipped they are to handle life after rehab.

Contact Details

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