Wells House Gale House

For people who are serious about changing their lives — not just getting through a rough patch — Wells House offers residential treatment that puts recovery at the center of daily life. Based in Frederick, Maryland and serving the broader region including Hagerstown, the center provides an immersive program where clients can address substance use disorder alongside co-occurring mental health conditions like trauma and PTSD without the distractions and triggers of everyday environments.

Residential treatment at Wells House is not a quick intervention. It is a sustained commitment, designed for adults who recognize that lasting recovery requires more than willpower — it requires structure, therapeutic support, and community. The program's CARF accreditation reflects a commitment to meeting established standards in addiction treatment and recovery services.

One of the things that sets Wells House apart within Maryland's addiction treatment landscape is the breadth of populations the residential program is equipped to serve. Veterans, young adults between 18 and 25, seniors and older adults, men, individuals with HIV/AIDS support needs, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those entering treatment through the court system are all specifically identified populations at Wells House. This range matters — a recovery community is stronger when it reflects the real diversity of people affected by substance use disorder.

The center's inclusion of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing is particularly notable, as this population is underserved by most residential addiction treatment programs. For families researching options for a loved one in Frederick County or the Hagerstown area, Wells House's breadth of served populations is a meaningful differentiator when evaluating long-term recovery partners.

The therapeutic framework at Wells House centers on approaches that address both behavior and the underlying experiences that drive it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a core modality — a structured, research-supported method that helps clients recognize and shift the thought patterns connected to substance use. Individual therapy provides space for personal work, while group therapy builds the peer connection that is central to lasting recovery.

Equally important is the program's commitment to family involvement. Couples therapy and children and family therapy are part of the therapeutic offerings, reflecting a view that recovery extends beyond the individual. For families in Frederick and Hagerstown who want to be active participants in their loved one's recovery — not just observers — this integrated approach to family therapy is a meaningful part of what Wells House provides.

Wells House accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay for its residential treatment program. For many adults in Frederick County and the surrounding Hagerstown area, the ability to use Medicaid or Medicare to access residential addiction treatment is a significant barrier removed. Contacting the center directly at (301) 662-7003 is the best way to discuss coverage and financial options before admission.

Administrative offices operate Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The center's website at wellshouse.org provides additional information for those beginning their research into residential treatment and longer-term recovery programs in Maryland.