First Step House - Fair Park Residential

76-Bed Residential Program with Orientation Unit

Located in Salt Lake City’s Fair Park neighborhood, First Step House – Fair Park Residential provides 24-hour structured care for adult men with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The facility offers dorm-style housing, group rooms, laundry services, and daily meals. New residents begin in a 36-bed orientation unit during their first two weeks, giving staff time to assess needs and help clients stabilize before entering the full program.

Medical and Medication Support on Site

In addition to counseling, residents have access to health services like screenings, hepatitis vaccinations, and nicotine replacement therapy. The program also provides medications for addiction treatment, including extended-release naltrexone, to support relapse prevention. This integration of behavioral health and medical care helps address both substance use and related health concerns in one setting.

Vocational Training and Housing Assistance

Recovery extends beyond therapy sessions. Residents receive employment counseling, vocational training, and support in preparing for the workforce. Housing assistance and case management help stabilize living situations, while life-skills classes and peer mentoring prepare clients for independent living. Together, these services address barriers that often interfere with long-term recovery.

Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Therapies

Treatment incorporates a wide range of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and moral reconation therapy (MRT). All care is trauma-informed, recognizing the role of past experiences in recovery. Through group and individual counseling, residents develop coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and build resilience.

Step-Down Care and Long-Term Recovery Support

First Step House ensures continuity of care after residential treatment. Clients can transition into outpatient programs and a free long-term recovery management program, which provides ongoing support with housing, employment, and health. This step-down approach helps residents maintain stability and independence as they move forward in recovery.

Client Reviews

Many people say this program gave them a second chance, with staff support and resources that helped them build stable lives. A few reviews raise concerns about communication and discharge processes.

• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (85% positive): Dozens of reviewers credit the program with saving their lives and helping them sustain recovery. "First step gave me my sobriety and I cannot put a price on that."
• Staff & Care Experience (75% positive): Many describe staff and counselors as caring, some with lived experience in recovery. "The therapists and staff here actually care."
• Facility & Environment: Clients often call the facility a supportive stepping stone, with structured living that feels intentional.
• Access & Process: Some reviews noted challenges with admissions communication or discharge paperwork, which at times created stress around benefits or continuity of care.
• Support & Community: Alumni mention strong peer support, safe housing transitions, and help with life tasks like dental or vision care, which eased their return to daily life.