Milestone Foundation Emergency Shelter

Milestone operates Maines only specialized substance use disorder emergency shelter. The 41-bed overnight shelter for men provides individuals with a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, clean clothes, showers and counseling while being treated with dignity. In addition to providing a safety net to our communitys most vulnerable individuals struggling with chronic alcohol and drug dependence, shelter staff educate clients and encourage them to enter Milestones on-site medically managed detoxification program.

Detoxification Program
The detox program provides men and women struggling with substance use disorders a safe and medically supervised transition through the acute phase of withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. The program is staffed by nurses and CNAs 24 hours a day, and is overseen by a physician. Substance use counselors are available for education, intervention, case management, individual and group counseling, family counseling and referral management. Length of stay typically ranges between 3 and 7 days. Maine residents are admitted regardless of ability to pay.

HOME Team
The Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) Team provides outreach and community supports to those with chronic health, mental health and substance use disorders living on the streets of Portland. Services include daily outreach, intervention, referrals and transportation for individuals who are homeless, highly intoxicated, experiencing mental illness or engaging in disruptive behavior. Approximately, 8,200 encounters occur each year, resulting in 2,500 transports to area shelters, detox or area hospitals.