Willingway was established in 1971 by a husband and wife team in the small college town of Statesboro, Georgia. Our founders, Dr. John and Dot Mooney, a surgeon and a nurse, didn’t just “talk the talk” of substance abuse treatment. They intimately understood how difficult it was to break free from addiction: Both of them had only recently become sober when they converted their home into a makeshift drug and alcohol treatment center.
Dr. John Mooney served as a combat medic in Italy and France in World War II. On returning to his hometown of Statesboro, he brought back his war injuries and post-traumatic stress. Dr. John started self-medicating with alcohol and painkillers. Dot was a beautiful, fun-loving nurse who cared deeply for her patients. Dot also tended to sneak drinks and drugs while at work. Both Dr. John and Dot developed substance abuse issues and decided to help others struggling with addiction.
It’s no wonder Willingway offers excellent treatment—we have been around longer and have helped save the lives of more people than most other programs. We’ve been helping clients for 50 years, and more than 20,000 clients have come through our doors for help with substance abuse issues.
Willingway’s philosophy is simple: Put clients first to offer them the best chance for recovery.
Walking around our beautiful, tree-lined campus, whether accompanied by a substance abuse counselor or fellow residents, can be extremely enjoyable and therapeutic. Willingway clients spend plenty of time outdoors participating in various activities, including volleyball and cookouts.
Our doctors and nurses are employed full-time, which means clients are seen by the same staff members daily. Our tenured, highly-trained medical staff know clients by name and are familiar with their medical histories. This information gives the medical staff a deeper understanding of the client’s individual needs during their treatment stay.
Several Willingway staff members have been with us for more than 35 years. Many staff have decided to dedicate their lives to helping people with addiction.
Willingway’s medical staff can safely treat clients with a history of abusing almost all combinations (and amounts) of mood-altering chemicals, including:
…and others
Willingway’s medical staff works within a detox protocol that has been refined over several years. No matter what combination of substances a client has been taking, the team confidently provides help and support during the detoxification phase.
At Willingway, adult clients in our inpatient program begin their recovery journey in a private room, complete with a private bath, a desk for writing or journaling, and individual temperature controls. Most clients in detox and residential levels of care enjoy the comfort and privacy of single rooms. As clients transition to our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), rooming arrangements may shift to shared accommodations, with two residents per room, promoting peer support and continued structure.
Willingway is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive environment that feels like home. Our clients benefit from amenities such as:
We understand that people who have spent several years looking for comfort in substances need to replace their drug and alcohol use with something else. Increasing physical activity is an effective way to relieve stress and have fun.
Many people who have developed a substance abuse issue have neglected their physical well-being as they have fallen down the slippery slope of experimenting with drugs to a full-blown addiction. Engaging or re-engaging in physical activity is enjoyable for many of our clients, who relish the opportunity to take care of themselves again.
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person living with a substance use disorder—it impacts the entire family. Relationships can become strained or even fractured once addiction enters the picture.
Because addiction is a family disease, it’s crucial that the entire family system receives support and education. If treatment focuses solely on the individual with the addiction, families may continue to use old patterns of communication that can hinder recovery progress.
At Willingway, family treatment is an essential part of the recovery process. Each client is offered a family session prior to discharge, conducted via Zoom with their assigned counselor. These sessions help begin the process of healing relationships, building understanding, and preparing for a healthier dynamic post-treatment.
In addition, Willingway offers ongoing support through seven Continuing Care Groups located across four states, serving both alumni and their families. These groups provide a vital connection to ongoing recovery and community, reinforcing the principles of long-term healing for everyone involved.
Families also learn that addiction affects the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and recovery must reflect that holistic approach.
