ABOUT SAFE REFUGE
Formerly known as the Substance Abuse Foundation (SAF), Safe Refuge of Long Beach, Calif., provides a full continuum of treatment programs for underserved adults struggling with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health concerns. The nonprofit facility provides long-term residential treatment, intensive day treatment, outpatient programs, and sober living facilities. Medical detoxification services are not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Before enrolling into a program, clients participate in a substance abuse assessment to assist clinicians in determining an appropriate level of care. Individuals who require a structured, supervised environment to acquire and sustain sobriety may be referred to Safe Refuge’s residential program. The residential program typically lasts between 90 and 180 days.
Described as “comprehensive and holistic” by the Safe Refuge website, the residential program blends evidence-based treatment methods with vocational support services, 12-step immersion, and recreational activities. During residential treatment, clients are immersed in a therapeutic community model of recovery, which adheres to a highly structured schedule of individual, group, and family counseling sessions, as well as educational classes on relapse prevention, coping skills, and trigger avoidance.
In addition, clients are introduced to the principles and practices of 12-Step and attend regular fellowship meetings. Safe Refuge may also facilitate specialized group counseling sessions and medication management for clients with co-occurring disorders. To promote healthy lifestyle changes, recreational activities are frequently incorporated into daily programming.
Once a resident completes residential treatment, clinicians may encourage clients to utilize Safe Refuge’s day treatment or outpatient programs as a “step-down” aftercare service, depending on the needs of the client. During all levels of treatment, the facility offers job placement and employment preparation training.
Following similar programming as the residential program, intensive day treatment involves five or more days of weekly treatment, lasting between five to eight hours per day, while regular day treatment consists of three or more days of programming per week for three to five hours per day. A less-intensive Relapse Prevention program is also available, which involves up to three hours of weekly treatment.
In addition, Safe Refuge provides specialized outpatient programs that focus on parenting, avoiding self-defeating thoughts, self-esteem, building healthy boundaries, forming life skills, domestic violence, and court-referred treatment. The facility also operates sober living homes for graduates and those enrolled in an outpatient program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Safe Refuge employs a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, certified drug/alcohol counselors, and certified domestic violence counselors.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Safe Refuge facility is comprised of eleven upscale houses and two apartment buildings on a central campus. The treatment provider also offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for men, women, and families requiring transitional housing during or after a treatment program.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The sole alum polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing praised all aspects of the facility. Out of five stars, the survey respondent awarded a perfect five-star rating for the level of family participation, as well as four stars for the facility’s counseling options, the staff’s level of experience and training, and its ability to treat co-occurring disorders. “They will help you as long as it takes,” alum M.L wrote, adding: They really want you to get it.”
Secondary sources echoed the alum’s positive feedback. On the facility’s Facebook page, which Safe Refuge can manage, 28 individuals gave the facility an average rating of 4.8 out of five stars [1]. Reviewers tended to praise the staff’s dedication to treat underserved individuals. “SAFE REFUGE is AMAZING! They have a heart for community,” Tommie, a representative reviewer, wrote.
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Indeed, reviews from employees also supported these opinions. Four employees gave the facility an average rating of four out of five stars, with many citing co-workers as a facility strength. “Management is great, Co-workers are great,” one representative reviewer wrote.
FINANCING
Safe Refuge accepts a range of private insurance plans and Medi-Cali. The facility also provides a sliding scale fee for eligible clients, based on the individual’s ability to pay.
[1] – Reference: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Safe-Refuge-764120340344089/reviews/
[2] – Reference: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Safe-Refuge/reviews?fcountry=US&floc=Long+Beach%2C+CA