The Betty Ford Center (BFC) is a nonprofitresidential treatment center for persons with substance dependence in Rancho Mirage, California. It offers inpatient, outpatient, and residential day treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions, as well as prevention and education programs for family and children.[2] The Betty Ford Center, which is next to the Eisenhower Medical Center but is under a separate license to practice, has 100 inpatient beds available on their campus and additional lodging for 84 clients in the Residential Day Treatment program.[3] The Betty Ford Center opened on October 4, 1982.[4]
History
The center was co-founded by former First LadyBetty Ford, Leonard Firestone and Dr. James West in 1982.[5] West also served as the Betty Ford Center's first medical director from 1982-89.[5] He left that position to become the Betty Ford Center's director of outpatient services.[5]
Betty Ford's decision to undertake such a project followed on the heels of her own battle with alcohol dependence and diazepamaddiction[6] after the Fords left the White House, and her release from the Long Beach Naval Hospital.[7]