The journey of Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale — originally known as The Beachcomber Family Center for Addiction Recovery — began more than five decades ago. As 2026 approaches, this milestone year marks half a century of unwavering service, hope, and transformation in the field of addiction recovery.
Founded in 1976 by James Bryan, the center was built on a simple yet profound mission: to help individuals and families whose lives had been impacted by addiction. Over the years, that mission has evolved and expanded, but its foundation — compassion, integrity, and family — has never wavered.
A Family-Owned Foundation at Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale
From its very beginning, Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale embodied a deeply personal, family-oriented approach. James Bryan, a man who understood recovery firsthand, envisioned a place that offered dignity, structure, and empathy to those seeking help.
As his work grew, his sons, Joe Bryan and Jim Bryan Sr., took the reins and carried their father’s mission into a new generation. Their leadership ensured that Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale remained true to its purpose — offering evidence-based, compassionate care while maintaining the close-knit, family feel that made it unique.
Today, the legacy continues. The third generation of the Bryan family is now actively involved, with Eric Bryan, James’s grandson, serving as Assistant Director at the Fort Lauderdale facility. This ongoing family leadership has given Beachcomber an enduring identity — one rooted in authenticity, stability, and heartfelt commitment.
“Let our family help your family” has never been just a slogan — it’s been the guiding philosophy for 50 years.
Growth Through the Years
Since opening its doors in 1976, Beachcomber has expanded from a single residential recovery home into a comprehensive continuum of care that serves clients throughout South Florida and beyond.
Today, Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale offers a range of programs, including:
- Residential treatment programs
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment program
- Relapse prevention and trauma-informed care
- Specialized therapy groups — including support for LGBTQ+ clients, adult children of alcoholics, and later-life recovery
From its Fort Lauderdale facility at 1001 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (Phone: 954-615-4003), and additional locations in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Beachcomber continues to provide accessible, compassionate recovery services to individuals and families throughout Florida.
Our Alumni Family — A Lifelong Community
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Beachcomber Drug Rehab Fort Lauderdale is its vast and vibrant alumni community. Over the past 50 years, countless individuals have walked through its doors seeking healing — and many have become lifelong members of the Beachcomber family.
Former clients have returned as mentors, staff members, and advocates, carrying forward the same compassion and empathy that once helped them. Through alumni events, monthly meetings, volunteer programs, and speaker nights, this network has become a cornerstone of Beachcomber’s ongoing success.
The Alumni Legacy Includes:
- Peer leadership and mentorship: Alumni lead by example, guiding current clients with lived experience and encouragement.
- Community continuity: Graduates help sustain a supportive environment for newcomers.
- Legacy testimony: Many former clients have become long-term staff, proof that recovery is both possible and powerful.
As the Bryan family says, “The call to recovery doesn’t end at discharge — it blossoms into a lifelong connection.”
Why the Family Approach Matters
In a field often marked by turnover and corporate detachment, Beachcomber stands apart because of its family-first philosophy. The Bryan family’s multi-generational involvement ensures that every decision — from leadership to treatment — is guided by authenticity and compassion.
For clients, this means stability, trust, and a genuine sense of belonging. When someone enters the Fort Lauderdale facility, they’re not just entering a treatment center — they’re stepping into a community built on 50 years of shared healing and hope.
The tagline “Come Home to the Beachcomber Family for Recovery” reflects this reality. It’s not just a message — it’s a promise that every person who comes through those doors will be treated with respect, dignity, and care.
A Half-Century of Impact
As Beachcomber celebrates this 50-year milestone, the numbers tell only part of the story. Thousands of lives have been changed, families have been restored, and new generations of recovery advocates have emerged from within its walls.
From its beginnings as a small cottage-style program to today’s multi-facility model offering cutting-edge therapies, Beachcomber has remained at the forefront of ethical, evidence-based addiction treatment in Florida.
Every chapter — founder to sons, sons to grandchildren, client to alumnus to mentor — reinforces a simple truth: when care is personal and values are strong, recovery becomes more than a goal. It becomes a way of life.
Looking Forward — The Next 50 Years
The Beachcomber story is far from over. As the center honors its rich history, it also looks toward the future — expanding its programs, embracing new therapeutic innovations, and strengthening its alumni community.
The Bryan family remains deeply committed to their founding promise: to treat each person who walks through the door as part of the family. With continued focus on trauma-informed therapy, dual-diagnosis care, and community integration, the next 50 years of Beachcomber will build upon a legacy rooted in compassion and excellence.
For every new client, family member, and alumnus — the message remains the same: You are welcomed, you are seen, and you belong.
Contact Information
The Beachcomber Family Center for Addiction Recovery – Fort Lauderdale
1001 W. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954-615-4003
Alternate: 561-276-6226 (call/text)
Website: https://beachcomberoutpatient.com/
