UAB Medicine Addiction Recovery Program

UAB Medicine Addiction Recovery Program

ABOUT UAB MEDICINE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System operates seven hospitals and treatment centers in Birmingham, Ala. The Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), located on UAB’s campus in central Birmingham, offers detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Gender-specific treatment tracks are available, as well as programs for specialty populations, including young adults and healthcare professionals.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

All clients first undergo a comprehensive assessment designed to determine the level of care most appropriate for them. Individuals who require stabilization and medically assisted detox typically enroll in the center’s residential program, which lasts for 30 to 45 days. Treatment, which is informed by the disease model of addiction and the 12-step program, focuses on relapse prevention and coping skills. Treatment modalities include individual therapy, group therapy, family counseling, and recreational therapy. Specialty services include equine therapy and tracks for individuals struggling with trauma and grief.

Once stabilized, clients may step down to PHP, which lasts 45 to 60 days. Clients in this phase of treatment attend 12-step meetings and focus on building a supportive network while continuing to learn about the disease of addiction. Following the completion of PHP, clients may transition to IOP, which lasts between six and eight weeks. Clients at this level of care continue to participate in groups but begin to focus on finding employment or volunteer opportunities. Those who complete the full continuum of treatment are eligible for up to two years of aftercare, which primarily consists of group counseling.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The treatment team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and healthcare professionals specializing in substance abuse, trauma, grief, and pain management.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

According to the University of Alabama, the Addiction Recovery Program recently expanded the unit to accommodate up to 16 individuals. No details regarding accommodations and amenities are available, but the 10 alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com provided the facility’s cleanliness with an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

When asked how likely they were to recommend the facility to others, the 10 alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com provided an average rating of 4.3 out of five stars. Alumni were most impressed with the staff’s level of training and experience, which received an average rating of 4.3 stars as well. “This treatment facility helped save my life! I highly recommend it! The staff is highly qualified and caring,” C.M.E. wrote in a representative review. Alumni also awarded favorable ratings to the program’s family participation, exercise and leisure options, and connectivity/visitors policy, which received ratings of four, 3.9, and 3.8 stars, respectively. The center’s counseling options received an above average rating of 3.5 stars. Additionally, multiple alumni highlighted their positive experiences with the center’s detox program. “They had a very good detox. I hardly got sick,” T.R. wrote, and Ethan highlighted the “good withdrawal program.”

The surveyed alumni were less impressed with the facility’s affordability, which received a rating of 2.5 stars, and the program’s holistic options, which earned 2.7 stars. “Cost is high and no sort of payment plan to help,” one anonymous alum told Best-rehabs.com. Additionally, multiple survey respondents felt that the program lacked adequate individual counseling. “They had great structure, but not enough one-on-one counseling,” C.R.W. wrote in a representative review.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The three loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com all noted that they would recommend the facility to others. Their complaints were minor and included “bad food” and the condition of a waiting room. However, all surveyed loved ones found the center’s staff to be a strength of the facility. “Workers are very knowledgeable and compassionate (but firm),” one anonymous reviewer wrote. Another individual characterized the staff as “kind and caring.”

WHAT STAFF SAY

Terri, the sole staff member polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, noted that she would recommend the facility to others and highlighted the treatment team as one of the center’s strengths. “UAB has an expert staff that offered individualized care. We really get to know our patients,” she wrote.

FINANCING

The Addiction Recovery Program accepts insurance and is in-network with providers including BlueCross/BlueShield, Viva Health, and Viva Access. The approximate cost of treatment is $18,500 for a 30-day residential stay. A package of residential treatment, PHP, and IOP, which lasts approximately three months, is offered for $24,000.

UAB Medicine Addiction Recovery Program Reviews

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  • I had mostly a bad experience. Time issues regarding receiving admission literature, orientation, meeting private counselor; lack of benefit from private counselor, some of the lead counselors using unethical tactics, unfair techs imposing rules, no resolution to the concern about the fear I had about my roommate, being made to walk in downtown beyond my physical abilities, lack of spiritual counseling, I did like the physician who was assigned to my care. I hope the program has improved since I was there and it probably has. But I would still not recommend it.
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  • 12 step based. Some staff are not compassionate.
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  • Great care, treatment, willingness to work with wealthy and poor patients Location not in safest or best location for prevention of relapses Go and get the treatment, but be willing and open. If you are in the mindset and committed to seeking help, you will find it here
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  • Family involvement Grief counseling Meeting everyday. 12 step orentated
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  • Good counselors, strong program The program was very strong and aimed at my personal needs; however, I disagree with some of their requirements for graduation/completment of the program and with the high cost of the program.
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  • Skilled and compassionate counselors, various break out groups customiced to you particular issues. Cost is high and no sort of payment plan to help. It is an extremely intentive program with a dedicated staff that genuinely cares about each individuals needs and progress.
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  • lobbyists doctors waiting room was bad. gret and exceptional
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  • passionate about helping There are more challenges with the addicts than the program. The people here really care. Workers are very knowledgable and compassionate (but firm).
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  • Good
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  • It is clean, the staff cares and they have a good withdrawal program. However, the food was bad. The people are kind and caring.
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  • They had a very good detox. I hardly got sick. They had great staff and Drs. The Drs and most of the staff are recovering addicts, so they understand. The rooms could have been better.. It is just an overall good rehab to go to. Everyone is nice and don't treat you like you're just a druggie.
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  • They had great structure, but not enough one-on-one counseling.
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  • Strengths include: Individual therapy, group therapy, various therapy techniques including EMDR certified therapists and equestrian therapy, daily exercise, experienced staff, individualized treatment plans, certified program for medical professionals, multiple levels of care, after care, and many more. However, hospital food is decent but not great, not a luxurious facility but it is effective as a treatment program. This treatment facility helped save my life! I highly recommend it! The staff is highly qualified and caring. The treatment program really focuses on helping individuals deal with emotional problems and past traumas that may be contributing factors to substance abuse. The individualized plans allow for each patient to receive the best treatment for him or her.
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  • I was in a hospital for detox and continued to stay for treatment of liver disease. The doctors and nurses took exceptional care of me. However, it was expensive. If you have a medical problem stemming from substance abuse I would recommend being treated at a hospital with knowledgable staff and 24 hour supervision. I do not feel comfortable in "group" rehab and felt that being well educated by doctors of the serious medical consequences of my addiction is what allowed me to successfully break my dependency. I've been completely sober (not a single relapse) for 8 months. AA was not for me and I believe in fact-based therapy over using a "spiritual" crutch to solve my issues. God wasn't going to cure me. I had to do it myself.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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  • This treatment facility helped save my life! I highly recommend it! The staff is highly qualified and caring. The treatment program really focuses on helping individuals deal with emotional problems and past traumas that may be contributing factors to substance abuse. The individualized plans allow for each patient to receive the best treatment for him or her. Strengths of the facility included: Individual therapy, group therapy, various therapy techniques including EMDR certified therapists and equestrian therapy, daily exercise, experienced staff, idividualized treatment plans, certified program for medical professionals, multiple levels of care, after care, and many more. However, the hospital food is decent but not great, it is not a luxurious facility but it is effective as a treatment program.
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  • I learned about addiction, what it is, how to treat it and I now understand that I have to want it and it's up to me to recover.
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  • Staff was extremely supportive.
    • Treatment Effectiveness
    UAB has an expert staff that offered individualized care. We really get to know our patients. Average treatment stay is 90 days. Very different treatment than other options in Alabama.