House of Mercy – Des Moines

Substance Abuse · Iowa · Free

Recovery housing and addiction support services for men in central Iowa with residential programming, life-skills training, and aftercare. Fathers in recovery can apply for long-term residential treatment and structured sober living. Staff help with employment, co-parenting reconnection, and legal issues. Medicaid and scholarships may cover costs. Bring photo ID, current medications, and prior treatment records at intake. Located on Clark Street.

Contact & Details

Address: 1409 Clark St, Des Moines, IA 50314

Phone: 515-643-6500

Hours: 24/7 residential

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About Substance Abuse for Fathers

Substance abuse treatment in the US is delivered through state-licensed treatment providers, nonprofit recovery programs (AA, NA, SMART Recovery), hospital-based detox, methadone clinics, and sober living houses. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment 24/7. Most states fund a network of publicly-supported treatment centers that accept uninsured and Medicaid clients; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration maintains a national treatment locator at findtreatment.gov. Fathers dealing with substance issues during custody disputes often need documented treatment compliance — court-ordered programs exist for this specific purpose. Recovery support includes peer recovery specialists, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and drug courts. This directory pulls together the state's single state agency for SUD, treatment finders, mutual aid meetings, and MAT providers.

Substance Abuse in Iowa

Iowa district courts hear family cases in all 99 counties, with the Child Support Recovery Unit under the Department of Human Services managing enforcement. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City are the largest metros. Iowa Legal Aid is the statewide LSC-funded program, with every county having a self-represented litigant coordinator.

More Substance Abuse in Iowa

  • Your Life Iowa – Substance Abuse Help — Iowa's official 24/7 helpline for substance abuse, mental health, problem gambling, and suicide prevention. Trained counselors answer calls,
  • SAMHSA Helpline – Iowa — Free confidential 24/7 national helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offering referrals to local trea
  • Area Substance Abuse Council – Cedar Rapids — Comprehensive addiction treatment provider serving eastern Iowa with outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient programs, residential treat
  • Powell Chemical Dependency Center — Residential substance abuse treatment facility in downtown Des Moines offering medically supervised withdrawal, inpatient rehabilitation, an
  • Jackson Recovery Centers – Sioux City — Addiction treatment and recovery services provider operating outpatient clinics and residential programs in Sioux City and western Iowa. Ser
  • AA Meetings – Iowa — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held across Iowa at churches, community centers, and clubhouses in every region, from daily big-city meetings

Substance Abuse — Common Questions

I need help but have no insurance — where do I start?
Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (free, 24/7). They'll connect you to state-funded treatment providers that accept uninsured clients. Every state has a Single State Agency for Substance Use that funds community treatment on sliding-scale fees.
What's MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)?
MAT combines medications (methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol) with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. It's evidence-based, reduces overdose risk substantially, and is covered by Medicaid and most private insurance. Find providers at findtreatment.gov.
Will going to rehab hurt my custody case?
Voluntarily seeking treatment is almost always viewed favorably by courts — it shows responsibility and commitment to sobriety. Coordinate with your attorney so treatment documentation supports your case. Court-ordered programs through drug courts specifically protect custody rights.
How long is treatment?
Detox: 3–7 days. Residential rehab: 30–90 days typically. Intensive outpatient: 8–12 weeks, 9–15 hours per week. Standard outpatient: months to years. Aftercare and peer support (AA, NA, SMART Recovery) is ongoing and free.