Our Story: A Different Approach to Drug & Alcohol Treatment

The concept of drug and alcohol treatment was forever changed when Tuerk House opened its doors in Baltimore in 1970. In the decades prior, those struggling with addiction had been left to detox in state hospitals or jail cells. But a handful of visionaries— including Dr. Isadore Tuerk, then the commissioner of Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene—knew there was a more collaborative, compassionate way to help people find lifelong healing and recovery.

From their vision, Tuerk House was born. Today, our non-profit drug and alcohol treatment system serves nearly 300 patients a day, regardless of their ability to pay, through an innovative, integrated model of care that encompasses all aspects of recovery.

The concept of drug and alcohol treatment was forever changed when Tuerk House opened its doors in Baltimore in 1970. In the decades prior, those struggling with addiction had been left to detox in state hospitals or jail cells. But a handful of visionaries— including Dr. Isadore Tuerk, then the commissioner of Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene—knew there was a more collaborative, compassionate way to help people find lifelong healing and recovery.

From their vision, Tuerk House was born. Today, our non-profit drug and alcohol treatment system serves nearly 300 patients a day, regardless of their ability to pay, through an innovative, integrated model of care that encompasses all aspects of recovery.

Tuerk House will maintain its leadership in the Baltimore recovery community by continuously expanding the excellence, scope and effectiveness of its clinical, residential and vocational services in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

To provide the best possible care at the lowest cost for the most people in need. 

  • Tuerk House aspires to provide comprehensive treatment and a transitional living environment in a home-like setting for chemically dependent persons who meet the criteria for admission.
  • Striving for progress towards enduring recovery is a guiding principle.
  • Successful outcomes include a client’s independence from Tuerk House and interdependence with the recovering community. In many instances, clients will benefit from the recovery resources available from the larger community.
  • Patience, tolerance and professionalism guide the work of our staff.
  • Clinician warmth, kindness and expertise are directly related to a client’s successful abstinence and recovery, and are recognized hallmarks of our services.

Our Story

Objectively pursue cross functional e-commerce before bleeding-edge expertise. Synergistically facilitate bricks-and-clicks potentialities whereas client-centered technology. Enthusiastically restore B2B “outside the box” thinking vis-a-vis standardized infomediaries. Collaboratively utilize professional channels without strategic platforms. Energistically negotiate inexpensive strategic theme areas vis-a-vis corporate niches. Competently transform customer directed e-business and 2.0 e-markets.

Mission

Tuerk House transforms lives by providing help and hope for enduring recovery to individuals, families and communities in the Baltimore metropolitan area who are struggling with addiction to alcohol and/or drugs.

Vision

Tuerk House will maintain its leadership in the Baltimore recovery community by continuously expanding the excellence, scope and effectiveness of its clinical, residential and vocational services in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Purpose

To provide the best possible care at the lowest cost for the most people in need. 

  • Tuerk House aspires to provide comprehensive treatment and a transitional living environment in a home-like setting for chemically dependent persons who meet the criteria for admission.
  • Striving for progress towards enduring recovery is a guiding principle.
  • Successful outcomes include a client’s independence from Tuerk House and interdependence with the recovering community. In many instances, clients will benefit from the recovery resources available from the larger community.
  • Patience, tolerance and professionalism guide the work of our staff.
  • Clinician warmth, kindness and expertise are directly related to a client’s successful abstinence and recovery, and are recognized hallmarks of our services.

Who We Serve

Tuerk House is rapidly growing to ensure we can care for more people in Baltimore and beyond. Download our latest patient data here.

Who We Serve
10,798

patients cared for in FY24 an increase of 11.62% over FY23

who we serve
62%

African-American

who we serve
29%
White
5% Hispanic / 2% Other

below povery
99%

of patients are on Medicaid, or are uninsured

Who we serve
50%
of patients are ages 45 and up


49%

are ages 25-44

58%
of patients use opiates as their primary substance


26%
of patients use alcohol as their primary substance

Patients’ medical histories include COPD, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis C, and HIV


Patients’ psychological histories include ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia

Joint Commission Accreditation

Tuerk House is proud to have been awarded Joint Commission Accreditation, the gold standard in health care accreditation. Our patients and families can have peace of mind knowing that we have met the Commission’s rigorous performance standards for delivering quality, safe care. To learn more, JointCommission.org.

Part of the Total Health Care Family

We are a subsidiary of Total Health Care, the non-profit health center dedicated to ending health inequity in Greater Baltimore and beyond. This partnership gives our patients seamless access to all the health care services they need—from primary care to dental care—on their recovery journey. Visit TotalHealthCare.org to learn more.