Offers residential care for adults facing challenges with alcohol and drug dependency. The center provides specialized services for individuals managing co-occurring behavioral health disorders at the same time. Gookomis Endaad is an 18-bed facility, welcoming both men and women in a safe, home-like environment. Located in the Lac du Flambeau community, they provide a structured setting for clients to focus on their healing and recovery from substance use challenges.
Treatment focuses on healing the whole person by blending modern, evidence-based practices with traditional cultural wisdom. Clients participate in counseling sessions, including individual, group, and
family therapy, to learn coping skills. The program utilizes behavioral therapies like moral reconation therapy (MRT) to help residents reshape their decision-making. These methods are integrated with Ojibwe cultural activities, such as traditional ceremonies and storytelling, helping individuals reconnect with their identity and values during recovery.
The facility’s name, Gookomis Endaad, means “Grandmother’s House” in Ojibwe, reflecting their mission to provide a comfortable, non-clinical atmosphere. Rather than a hospital, residents heal in a home-like setting overlooking Pokegama Lake, allowing them to feel safe and relaxed. This environment, combined with programming deeply rooted in cultural wisdom and a partnership with the Peter Christensen Health Center, supports
holistic healing for the mind, body, and spirit.
Evidence-Based Context: According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2023), approximately 48.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes that treatment programs combining behavioral therapy with medication-assisted approaches show the highest rates of sustained recovery. Facilities like Gookomis Endaad provide structured pathways to evidence-based care.
Sources: SAMHSA NSDUH 2023, NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment (4th Ed.)