Our History

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Northbound History

Over 30 years Northbound Treatment has helped thousands achieve
recovery and helped them go on to live fulfilling, healthy, successful lives.

1988

The Beginning of Northbound

Northbound Treatment was originally founded under the name National Therapeutic Services (NTS®), today known as Northbound Treatment Services®, by Marilyn and Bob Stevens. That same year, Marilyn and Bob open an Intensive Outpatient Program called the RAP Center, located in sunny Costa Mesa, California.

1991

The Introduction of Dual-Diagnosis

Northbound Treatment becomes one of only three treatment centers that has dual-diagnosis for both drug and alcohol addiction.

1995

The Opening of Joshua House

NTS® progresses in its goal of helping people transition from recovery to leading a successful life by opening Joshua House, a licensed 12-bed Residential Treatment Program in Costa Mesa. At this point, the goal of NTS® (including the Rap Center and Joshua House) is to serve the local Orange County community.

2008

Paul Alexander Joins Northbound

Paul Alexander, certified as an Addiction Treatment Specialist, arrives at NTS® and transforms Marilyn and Bob Stevens’ vision from a local facility into a nationally recognized treatment provider, expanding NTS’® innovative addiction methods beyond its rehab centers in California and onto a national stage.

2009

The Start of Gender-Specific & Faith-Based Programming

2010

Mike Neatherton Joins Northbound

Mike Neatherton, who shares Paul’s passion for finding new levels of organizational health within the treatment community, leaves his prestigious post as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Betty Ford Center to become the CEO of NTS®.

2010

Devon Wayt Joins Northbound

Devon Wayt joins NTS®, Inc as Director of Quality and Compliance with an MBA from Pepperdine University.

2012

Dr. Edward Kaufman Joins Northbound

Dr. Edward Kaufman joins the Northbound Treatment clinical staff as Medical Director. The former president of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is one of the world’s preeminent experts on addiction.

2012

Joshua House Becomes a 180 Bed Detox Facility

Joshua House becomes 180 Detox, signifying the evolution of NTS® services from the narrower Residential and IOP or outpatient programs into a full continuum of care. The first step of recovery often starts here at 180 Detox – a step that can take as little as 4 days – and from there goes into our proprietary In Vivo® model in Recovery, which allows those in recovery to live life on life’s terms.

2012

Northbound Opens a Second Location in St. Louis

NTS® opens its second location, in St. Louis, providing joint-accredited Outpatient and Family Services to adults suffering from addiction and co-occurring disorders. Located in downtown Kirkwood, Northbound St. Louis provides the latest in evidence-based therapies, extending Northbound’s reach to the heartland of the country.

2012

An Official Rebrand of NTS

National Therapeutic Services is renamed and rebranded as Northbound Treatment Services®, Inc. Our logo is the compass, which symbolizes the transformational journey our staff and clients are on. We will always be working to be better at what we do, just like our clients will always be working on maintaining their sobriety. Together, we are headed in the right direction.

2015

Our Proprietary Model of Treatment—In Vivo®—Receives a Trademark

In Vivo® treatment means that when ready, people in treatment interact with the outside world. They shop for groceries, go to concerts, drive a car. This independence allows them to face real-world challenges while still having a support system. Our Collegebound® and Careerbound® programs support our In Vivo® model, enabling clients to attend school or hold a job.

2015

The Beginning of Wilson House for Women

NTS® progresses in its goal of helping women transition from recovery to leading a successful life by opening Wilson House – our licensed residential women’s program in Orange County.

2017

Northbound Responds to Seattle's Opiate Crisis

We respond to Seattle’s opiate crisis by opening Northbound Treatment, close to the Space Needle in the lively Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. We noticed that many clients were traveling to our Orange County center from Seattle and subsequently found that the city was lacking in dual diagnosis treatment centers.

2017

Sober Living in Seattle Officially Opens

Sober Living in Seattle opens, furthering our commitment to offering Pacific Northwest clients a full continuum of care.

2018

Northbound's 23,000 sq. ft. Clinical Building Opens in Orange County

A beautiful 23,000 square-foot clinical building opens at our Orange County location, complete with a state-of-the-art gym, a recording studio for our music program, and a wellness room filled with Biosound® massage chairs.

2018

Northbound Opens "The Grove"

The opening of the Grove— a state-of-the-art, addiction campus in the heart of Orange County solidifies Northbound’s commitment to offering evidence-based, effective, affordable care to those suffering from addiction & alcoholism in a self-contained residential setting. The Grove is an ASAM certified level 3.7, medically managed, state-licensed and certified, joint commission accredited program. Northbound continues to bring many of its services in-network with all major insurance companies to benefit its customers as well.

Northbound Treatment Services® is an excellent, life-changing and life-saving program.

Our History

Northbound History

The Beginning of Northbound

The Introduction of Dual-Diagnosis

The Opening of Joshua House

Paul Alexander Joins Northbound

The Start of Gender-Specific & Faith-Based Programming

Mike Neatherton Joins Northbound

Devon Wayt Joins Northbound

Dr. Edward Kaufman Joins Northbound

Joshua House Becomes a 180 Bed Detox Facility

Northbound Opens a Second Location in St. Louis

An Official Rebrand of NTS

Our Proprietary Model of Treatment—In Vivo®—Receives a Trademark

The Beginning of Wilson House for Women

Northbound Responds to Seattle's Opiate Crisis

Sober Living in Seattle Officially Opens

Northbound's 23,000 sq. ft. Clinical Building Opens in Orange County

Northbound Opens "The Grove"

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