ABOUT THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT CENTERS – OLIVIA’S HOUSE
Alabama’s first residency house for women struggling with substance abuse and their children, Olivia’s House of Birmingham provides an outpatient and residential recovery program for pregnant and postpartum women. The facility’s child wellness program includes psychosocial evaluation and support for clients’ children under the age of 10, who remain with their mothers during recovery. According to a 2016 SAMHSA survey, Olivia House is one of only two facilities in the state to house clients’ children.
The maximum length of stay is one year, but clients may apply for an extension based on severity of illness, response to treatment, and availability of space. The facility also accepts clients from prison and women who have legal issues. Detox services are not available on-site, but are offered at nearby Pearson Hall, an affiliated short-term crisis stabilization treatment center.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
In seeking admission, a client must have had a recent state psychosocial assessment or undergone an assessment at Olivia’s House. Pregnant women and IV drug users are given priority for admission. Arrangements for assistance with child care are made with Olivia’s House prior to admission.
According to the facility’s website, treatment at Olivia’s House is holistic and incorporates the 12-step model of recovery. Clients participate in individual and group counseling sessions that address topics including addiction education, relationships, domestic violence, and parenting. Medication management is provided as needed.
Olivia’s House distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive program for the children of patients. A case manager and child development staff member assess each child who remains with their mother during her treatment. Up to three children can remain during residence.
Children at Olivia’s House undergo a developmental, physical, mental and educational evaluation, and separate records are kept. Physical assessment includes nutritional and dental evaluation. Children in need of additional services are referred to the appropriate state agency.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Olivia’s House has a staff of 20 to 49 that include case managers, nurses, and addiction counselors. Its consultants are psychologists, educators, and nutritionists.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AMENITIES
The facility is a modest brick ranch-style home in a suburb of Birmingham, AL. Living quarters, as they are shown on the facility’s website, appear to be functional but comfortable, with shared rooms and basic furnishings. There is a communal living room as well as various play areas for the children.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
To date, April, the only alum polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave a mixed review. She gave just one out of five stars for the facility’s opportunities for exercise and leisure, holistic offerings, and family participation and wrote that there were “no leisure or relaxation opportunities.”
However, she lauded the center’s affordability with a perfect five-star rating and indicated that she would recommend treatment to others. She also provided a four star rating for the staff’s level of experience and three stars for overall accommodations.
Feedback on secondary sites was was mostly positive. On the facility’s Facebook page, which the facility may be able to manage, Olivia’s House received two four-star ratings and one one-star rating. On Google reviews, the facility had three perfect five-star reviews, as well as a single one-star rating. Google reviewer Courtney valued the opportunity to keep her son with her during treatment.
FINANCIAL
While there is no information available on the facility’s website regarding pricing, Olivia’s House offers financial aid in the form of facility payment assistance.
CONCLUSION
According to a November 2014 report by the New York Daily News, a manager of Olivia’s House was arrested for allegedly smoking crack in her car, with her five-year-old daughter in the back seat. Police charged her with possession of drug paraphernalia, chemical endangerment of a child, and possession of cocaine. Facility response notes that the former employee “was on leave when the incident occurred and has not returned to work.”