Sovereign Health Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, and Mental Health Treatment Programs

Sovereign Health Addiction

Sovereign Health specializes in mental health, substance abuse, and dual diagnosis treatment for men and women. The rehab has numerous facilities in California, Arizona, and Florida — the Fort Myers, Florida location offers residential treatment and utilizes evidence-based treatment modalities combined with a holistic focus for a well-balanced and sustainable recovery. Clients are encouraged to examine and understand how and why their maladaptive behaviors evolved and to set realistic goals for a happy and fulfilling future.

ABOUT SOVEREIGN HEALTH ADDICTION, DUAL DIAGNOSIS, AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAMS — FORT MYERS, FL

Sovereign Health operates multiple treatment facilities in California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. The Fort Myers center, which opened in 2014 and is one of two Sovereign Health facilities in Florida, offers medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs for men and women aged 18+ who are struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, and dual diagnosis. The center is located in a quiet, residential area on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, three miles from downtown Fort Myers, on southern Florida’s Gulf Coast.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Treatment typically lasts 30 to 90 days, beginning, when necessary, with a medical detox program that provides 24-hour medical care and supervision.

The center offers individual, group, and family counseling, including a range of evidence-based modalities, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and neurofeedback. Holistic options including equine therapy, fishing therapy, art therapy, yoga, and meditation.

Outpatient treatment — which can be either step-down or entry-level care — is offered at a variety of intensities: a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and general outpatient treatment. Treatment is offered in the daytime or the evening, to suit a variety of schedules.

Sovereign offers graduating clients a year of continuing care services, though it does not specify what these are.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The treatment team includes an MD who is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine, as well as a registered nurse.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Photos of the Fort Myers facility depict a modern, home-like setting. The residences are located in a gated community surrounded by palm trees, with direct access to the Caloosahatchee River. In addition to small, modestly furnished shared bedrooms, clients can enjoy outdoor seating, communal dining areas, and comfortable lounge spaces for resting and watching TV. Families may visit on Saturdays and Sundays.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The six alumni reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date were mixed. The positive reviewers claimed that the facility had strengths in diagnosing, providing a good environment, and having friendly staff. The three positive reviewers awarded the center five out of five stars for affordability, cleanliness, and holistic offerings respectively. Alum Eric wrote, “Therapists were great and I connected with my therapist right away. The group therapy process I really enjoyed a lot. My favorite one is probably been the CBT groups that is where I really learned most about how we can change our thinking and push us out to triggers or the relapse prevention.”

On the other hand, the negative reviewers claimed that the facility was more interested in insurance money than in helping clients and that they were promised amenities that were not provided. “You might as well go to prison. That’s how this facility treated me and all of the other patients… I was told all sorts of nonsense by this man that clearly wasn’t true. They will lure you with information and ‘specialties’ of this facility that aren’t true… Your level of care is determined by how much your insurance is willing to pay, not by growth in personal recovery or behavior. This place just FEEDS off of your insurance which is why they try to make you stay longer,” C.O. wrote in a representative review.

At the time of this writing, the center had a two-star, a four-star, and a five-star rating on Facebook.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The single loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave negative feedback. “He did not come home with any appreciable tools for recovery, there was no follow up from his case manager or therapist once home… He is merely a number there I’m sure,” C.T. wrote of their significant other’s treatment, adding that the center failed to diagnose their partner’s depression and that the promised family involvement was never provided.

WHAT STAFF SAY

To date, the two staff members polled by Best-rehabs.com gave negative reviews. The staff gave one out of five stars to the facility for its professionalism and staff availability. “A few truly potentially talented students/interns, if only they received licensed supervision, which they do not. very very poor and ineffective treatment,” wrote staff member William.

FINANCING

Sovereign Health accepts private pay and, according to its website, most private insurance plans.

NOTES

Despite the serene setting that the Florida location appears to offer its clients, Sovereign’s expansion into Fort Myers has not gone smoothly. Neighboring residents have expressed concerns over client-related disturbances and, in March 2015, Sovereign was reportedly ordered to give up its state license or face daily fines, as it did not comply with the neighborhood multi-family residential zoning designation. In May 2015, Sovereign countered this action by filing a Fair Housing Act lawsuit against the city. In January 2017, local Fox affiliate Fox4 reported that the facility will be allowed to remain open, after the city settled the lawsuit.

Sovereign Health Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, and Mental Health Treatment Programs Reviews

  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • A few years ago I hit a juncture where I could either go to treatment or lose my child. Of course I hopped on a plane eager to prove I could change. My family picked sovereign because of a sales pitch that I would be enjoying some degree of luxury and getting the best care and nutrition money can buy. I arrived in a gated complex that resembled an old motel and was skeptical but felt that amenities were not the priority as long as I was getting the help I had long needed. The majority of the staff was incredible and had very good intentions (some of them) being former addicts themselves it gave us a sense of hope and helped us relate to the people banging on our doors at 6 am and giving us breathalyzer tests. I will forever be grateful to the staff at sovereign who gave me a reason to keep pushing forward when I was at my sickest. I'm still sober to this day two years after leaving because of the changes I made in my life and realizing people like that are out there and I'm worth their time. My insurance however was milked to death and since I did have pretty good insurance I had to beg to leave after a few months because I was on the verge of losing my job back home. If you're going to sovereign for luxury, nutritious food or have an extreme physical health condition it's not for you. I also don't believe the Lady that manages sovereign should be in charge of making any medical decisions. They are given too much power and I believe that it's a huge liability for the patients and staff alike. Also with missing electronics and money it needs to be treated more seriously alot of us don't have the money to replace things like that and staff have free reign of patient rooms without supervision. Hopefully in light of recent events sovereign will make some positive changes so addicts like me have a safe place to go without our insurance getting used and abused. I am forever grateful to most of the staff there and so is my daughter who is now with me permanently.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • Stay away! This place is full of black mold. The staff treat the patients horribly. Corporate doesn’t care about the patients, they only care about how much money they can get from their insurance.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • They have done a wonderful job getting my sons medication right and supporting his whole process of getting well..I highly recommend.Sovereign very dedicated people there should be more places like this.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • I am extremely satisfied by the treatment taken at Sovereign Health, they are very goal oriented and organized treatment center so the outcome comes out to be excellent. excellent clinicians and doctors, well structured tailored made program for patients, Neat and clean environment,a lot of therapies to heal you. Internet connectivity is average.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
    • Some earnest students who might one day make for good therapists. No real treatment, patients get worse.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
    • A few truly potentially talented students/interns. very very poor and ineffective treatment.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • Strengths:hygienic Food, Good recovery Program. Weakness:connectivity. I learned about Sovereign Health Group whilst I was on the internet searching for a holistic rehabilitation center that could address my alcoholism and my anxiety that led my drinking for many years. I was going for a rehabilitation center and typed in holistic rehabs and out came Sovereign. What brought me into rehabilitation center was that I knew I needed something that was going to work for me as all the other paths I have taken had not worked for me. I have been here for a couple of months and I feel stronger more clear headed I feel healthier and I am ready for the rest of my life. What attracted me was that it is a nice setting. The food is spectacular because I think for myself food is key to one���s recovery and so the food has been incredible. My expectations of the program were to once again get physically healthy so to get my mind healthy so that I could address my issues and all the skeletons in my closet and the addiction the struggle is real and I am here and I am doing well I wish I could stay forever actually. The residence that I stayed in there are a few different houses and my bedroom is very cozy fabulous mattress everything from the linens to the kitchen to the living room were very comfortable I didnt feel like I was in a strange place or I was never afraid and it has just been wonderful. Once again I am amazed by the therapist here the staff at all levels the house managers have a lot to deal with us addicts and they have got it together. Here at Sovereign ,I had the pleasure of having my first one on one psychologist that was assigned to me and I felt very comfortable with her she knew a little bit about my background before coming in and the group therapies. A typical day is that we get up early in the morning and we have so much wonderful food at the house and have a snacks or a light breakfast for ourselves and we go to the gym. We begin our day with the group therapy at 10:30 and then we have another group therapy after that and then it is lunch time. Then we go back into the group therapy and we do art therapy, equine therapy we do yoga. What I like most about Sovereign is that everyone seems to be in the same page even though we are all diverse. I mean it is amazing it is really great to be with other people that are struggling with substance abuse and the therapist covered all that. I have been telling others since I have been here how comfortable it is and how knowledgeable the staff is and that it is basically if you put the time into it and you come here with an open mind and you are ready to battle your addictions and your depression anxiety you name it.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • Strengths:proper Diagnose by clinicians, Friendly staff Weakness:Food. I heard about Sovereign Health by being at court and to appeal the judge and not have to go to juvenile hall. I decided to come here which was a great decision on my part. I was partying and I experimented with some drugs and I was just caught up in that lifestyle so seeking treatment was a lot on my part and I just felt like I needed to turn my life around. This is my first treatment facility and it will be my last. Walk through these doors I was like wow it cant be any worse than juvenile hall so I kind of came in with a smile and I am leaving a smile. Staying in Harmony House it was full of all the boys at one point when I got there there were probably like 10 boys I had a roommate and by the time I was leaving there were only six boys and they are different so I mean you kind of get to see boys from all over the country and just how different lifestyles everyone has and you kind of all work together. So we go on one on one which is pretty much my clinician or my therapist and me we have conversations and they helped me to work out the problems. I came in here not really thinking I had any problems with my family or with myself but doing that I realized how much underlying stuff I really had done wrong and wanted to get my life back on track. Group therapy is pretty much with all the boys in your house you go with them and whatever the topic is you pretty much discuss over together since all the boys are from different places they usually all have different lifestyles and everyone has their own stories so hearing everyones story kind of helps you out with your own situation whether it can be better or worsening the situation you are at and it just good to hear that. My favorite group is mindfulness it really focuses on just being focused on the present rather than the past and moving forward. My favorite thing about Sovereign was coming here on my first day not really thinking about relationship with anyone here I just wanted to get out as fast as possible and I gotten so close with all the kids and the staff that I didnt want to leave which sounds shocking enough. I discovered a lot about myself being here and going back into the same place that I came I am really learning how to cope with all that and how to deal with the situations I was in. You really should just give this program a try it is not that bad and if you have any legal issues this place will look very great.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • Strengths:excellent treatment program, neat and clean environment , Healthy food Weakness:Net connection is average. My mom sent me the link and I just made a call and talked to a representative and then came down to the facility. A lot of cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectic behavior therapy previous treatments there really wasnt a lot of that and that has been a big thing for me especially the cognitive behavior therapy that has helped a lot. I knew I needed to come to somewhere get help you know I needed to get off the drugs and definitely went above and beyond my expectations. Very clean, very comfortable room. Therapists were great and I connected with my therapist right away. The group therapy process I really enjoyed a lot .My favorite one is probably been the CBT groups that is where I really learned most about how we can change our thinking and push us out to triggers or the relapse prevention. Just give a shot I mean it saved my life you know if you are looking for somewhere to go I would definitely recommend it for others it is one of the best programs I have been through. I have been through many programs before.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • This place is absolutely horrible. They lie Thier butts off to get you here then once your here your in no luck. And the people who do the admission process aren't even employed by sovereign so therefore they aren't liable for the lies...They staff here is shady. They act all nice to your face but then talk badly about you to other staff... And try to make you look like the bad guy when you have a valid complaint. I'm here now luckily my insurance is getting cancelled in 2 weeks so they can't make me stay much longer. This place is far from professional also...The head Dr. assumes he knows what's wrong with you without even meeting you or talking to you... The staff changes the rules regularly just to mess with you. I've voiced valid complaints to them on the survey's they have you fill out every two weeks and they go unheard. If your diabetic this place will be no good for you. They told me I could ask for orange juice to raise my blood sugar if needed but when I go to ask they don't have any. I brought this issue to the head administrator and she assured me they would get me juice. I go to ask for juice again and still no juice... I could go on and on about how big of a dump this place is but the bottom line is DO NOT COME HERE. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!
  • Treatment Effectiveness
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    • Great people that really care. Was able to shoot hoops with fellow patients. Getting to smoke my Marlboro was no problem. Some hot chics in there and friendly.. I did 90 days, it was great.. Also, loved fishing out back in the river. Great views and sunsets
    Sovereign Health Group has several locations around the country. I can't speak for all of them but let me say something about the Fort Myers FL location. You might as well go to prison. That's how this facility treated me and all of the other patients. I spoke with a consultant two days before I was admitted. I had no idea this guy was actually speaking to me from headquarters office in a totally different location. Other reviews mentioned that they were sold lies. I was told all sorts of nonsense by this man that clearly wasn't true. They will lure you with information and "specialties" of this facility that aren't true. Also, I was told that this was a 30 day program and they tried to make me stay for 60-90. When I told them what the consultant had told me over they phone, they were confused and refused to hear me out any further on the subject... Phone calls had to be approved by our "case managers" and were never private. All of my phone calls back home were made on my case managers phone, and were monitored by him by having my conversation with a loved on on speaker mode. NONE of the staff members are on the same page. You're told to ask for information from someone, and that person can't even answer your questions. The silliest things such as hair conditioner are considered "contraband." Your level of care is determined by how much your insurance is willing to pay, not by growth in personal recovery or behavior. This place just FEEDS off of your insurance which is why they try to make you stay longer. This facility is a total joke, and lacks real professional help that these consultants promise. It was not surprising to see patients leave early against medical advice. I ended up getting help at a different rehab facility. Absolute waste of time, money, and energy.
  • Treatment Effectiveness
  • Accommodations & Amenities
  • Meals & Nutrition
    • This place is a scam the whole way through. Starting with the treatment specialists of whom are paid on comission for each patient they get. They are used car salesman and lie. Promise there are things like gym onsite,snorkeling,and massage as well as a horse facility all on site. The food is less nutrition than you'll get at mcdonalds. All prefab and usually cold. That being said, if you really need a treatment to facility, there is one closer to your home than this and guaranteed better...tell you it's a 30 day program but try to keep you 45 to 60 days.regardless of your needs. They have mentally ill patients who disrupt recovery and groups. . With all of that, I still managed to find some help ther, albeit not from a therapist but through the time I had away from home. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR THEM!!!!EVER!!!!
    We were lied to by the original person on the phone. He sold us lies. We gave very specific needs and understandings that was wanted and he promised they would all be met. NOT 1 WAS MET AND IT WAS A TOTAL FARCE AND LOE. THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE SEEN AND HE'S TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NOT PUTTING THEM IN THE PROPER LOCATION OR HEALTH FACILITY NEEDED FOR THEM. IT DISGUSTING!!!! ABSOLUTE DISGUST!!!
    My significant other was in the Sovereign Fort Myers location for over 45 days. The only benefit to being institutionalized there was the fact that he was unable to obtain alcohol. He did not come home with any appreciable tools for recovery, there was no follow up from his case manager or therapist once home, they did not set him up with a sponsor for the interim until he found one at home and they set him up with a therapist at home that was not even covered by their supposed insurance (they assured him this would be covered). The team just called him yesterday after a month home to check up, on my suspicion maybe only because a fellow he met down there called to tell them he wasn't doing well and because HE had reached out to THEM. He is merely a number there I'm sure. I called today to find out about his insurance for counseling on his behalf and spoke with a woman, upon hearing my complaints/concerns, she did the professional thing and HUNG UP on me. Mind you, I was not even raising my voice to her even though I wanted to. Also, on their website, they advertise how important family is to recovery and an integral part of their mission. Not once was there a weekly conference as I was told there would be. The calls made were him calling me for 2-3 minutes to say hi while on speaker phone in the case manager's office while the case manager did other things and other people waited in line for the phone. There was also no diagnosis of depression even though he is clearly depressed and his counselor here was able to see that within 2 sessions. He drinks alone every time and has low self esteem as well- I did not see improvement in either when he came home. I suspect they don't get to actually dig deeper to get to know people recovering there because it's all about the bottom dollar, numbers and statistics. He would have been better off staying home and finding a personal counselor and going to AA meetings. I am thankful that this was free for him, otherwise I would be irate.