The Betty Ford Center is located on the campus of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, in the state of California in the United States. It was co-founded by former U.S. First Lady Betty Ford and Leonard Firestone in October, 1982. Ford's decision to undertake such a project followed her own battle with alcohol dependence and opioid analgesic addiction. After her release from the U.S. Naval Hospital, she pursued the goal of creating a treatment centre that emphasized the needs of women. The Betty Ford Center has gained notoriety as the treatment centre used by many celebrities.