Brighton Hospital’s reputation as a nationally leading addiction treatment center began when we first opened our clinic in the early 1950s with the goal of mending the lives of those suffering from alcoholism. In the years following World War II, many veterans returned home with alcohol problems. Harry Henderson, chair of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, determined to help, teamed with a number of community leaders to fight the human and social consequences of alcohol abuse and addiction. They formed the Michigan Alcoholic Rehabilitation Foundation in 1950 with the goal of establishing a model clinic for alcoholics. One of Henderson’s colleagues was Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

On Oct. 1, 1953, the foundation’s new alcohol treatment center opened its doors as Brighton Hospital.  It was the only clinic in the state of Michigan to help alcoholics, and one of just three alcoholism clinics in the country. Today, Brighton Hospital stands as the second oldest addiction treatment center in the United States, serving patients nationally as well is in the local areas surrounding Metro Detroit, Chicago, Illinois, and Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.  Our growth since then represents the compassion and devotion we show to each alcoholic or drug addicted patient who walks through the doors of our alcohol clinic.

Henderson and Wilson believed alcohol addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual disease that can be healed. This principle of help and healing still guides Brighton’s philosophy, though our treatment of alcoholism has evolved to include all forms of chemical dependence, not just alcohol addiction.

One day at a time, Brighton Hospital serves as a competent, compassionate, innovative and respectful addiction treatment clinic to help individuals with alcoholism and all forms of chemical dependence.