About Maggie's
The Magdalen House is a non-medical detox center in East Dallas offering women a safe environment in which to withdraw from alcohol at no-cost to the individual. It is the only facility of its kind in Dallas to provide this much-needed community service. It is open to any woman seeking an alcohol-free life. Most of the women who come to "Maggie's" have no money, no insurance, and no hope.
The original House on Lovers Lane opened in May 1987, thanks to the efforts of a handful of recovering female alcoholics who saw the need for a women-only facility, and now serves more than 250 women per year. It is patterned after The Way Out Women's Center in Houston, which has been in operation since 1973. Like its Houston sister, Maggie's is no cost to any woman seeking an alcohol-free life. Funding for The Magdalen House comes from Dallas area foundations and individual donations, largely from members of the Dallas recovery community. The House operates under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors and an Executive Director.
The Magdalen House is able to accept up to fourteen women on a first-come, first-served basis. Its staff is trained to receive women whose primary addiction is alcohol. During their 14-day stay, these women are educated on the nature of alcoholism and introduced to the 12-step recovery program described in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous."
The primary purpose in creating Maggie's House was to reach out to the still-suffering alcoholic woman. However, the House also provides an avenue for recovering alcoholics to volunteer their time and share their experience, strength, and hope with the residents of The Magdalen House. Indeed, Maggie's House would not survive without the volunteer work of the community. Volunteer groups of Alcoholics Anonymous bring meetings daily to The Magdalen House.
