ABOUT BRIDGES OF HOPE — MORVEN, GA
Founded in 1986 as a charitable trust, Bridges of Hope now operates five long-term residential addiction treatment facilities in Georgia, including the Morven facility, a rural center located just outside the town of Morven in southern Georgia. The center exclusively treats men.
The center does not offer treatment for dually diagnosed individuals or detox, but it can provide referrals to detox facilities. Additionally, the center does not admit individuals with a history of violence.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Treatment at Bridges of Hope is strongly based on the 12-Steps. Although the organization subscribes to the spiritual components of the program, it is not affiliated with any particular religious orientation or institution. Bridges of Hope does not offer medical or professional counseling services.
Bridges of Hope describes itself as a “working facility,” which means that all clients are required to work on-site every day. Residents are responsible for all chores, daily upkeep, and gardening. Clients also participate in on- and off-site 12-Step meetings, occasionally complete community service commitments off-site, engage in morning devotionals, study the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and attend small group meetings.
Through a rigorous routine and close communal living, Bridges of Hope aims to instill discipline and teamwork in its residents.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no further information provided by the facility regarding its treatment staff. However, the two individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com gave it ratings of one and four stars out of five for the staff’s training and experience.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The facility is situated on 70 acres of land and features a pond, a large vegetable patch, and a volleyball court. Pictures published on the facility’s website depict simple shared bedrooms and an on-site prayer room. According to the five individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com, the center received average ratings of 4.2 stars for accommodations, four stars for meals, and five stars for cleanliness.
Residents are only allowed to have reading material related to the 12-Steps and other recovery institutions. Electronics such as cell phones and iPods are prohibited. The facility also bans “mood-altering” medications, such as over-the-counter nighttime medications. However, it is unclear from the Bridges of Hope website whether clients can take mood-altering prescription medications during their stay.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Of the two reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com, one was positive and the other negative. The positive reviewer gave the facility five stars for treatment effectiveness and staff support, and four stars for the overall quality of group counseling. However, they gave only one star for holistic options. The negative reviewer also gave one star for holistic options, as well as for the family program, counseling options, and treatment for co-occurring disorders. They advised against going to the facility.
At the time of this writing, the center had three five-star reviews on Google and a single one-star review on Facebook. “This place is truly full of hope. Best decision I ever made!” wrote a representative positive reviewer on Google without further commentary.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Of the three reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com, two were positive and one was mixed. The anonymous mixed reviewer gave the center four stars for treatment effectiveness, but commented that it was not very affordable. However, the other two reviewers gave the center five stars for exercise/leisure provisions and four to five stars for treatment effectiveness. One anonymous reviewer wrote, “Successful but old school. It was well kept, clean. The staff were friendly.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
At the time of this writing, Bridges of Hope (as a whole, not specifically this facility) had ratings of one and two stars on employment review site Glassdoor. Both reviewers mentioned disorganization, with one anonymous former employee stating that patients’ files were missing notes and treatment plans. This reviewer also alleged a lack of appropriate furnishings and inadequate background checks for staff, but these claims were not confirmed by the other reviewer. The other reviewer did note that the facility works to keep its staff up-to-date with training.
FINANCING
Bridges of Hope does not accept insurance. The cost of treatment is subsidized by donations and charitable contributions. Residents are required to bring payment for the first month of treatment upon check-in. The three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com gave the center ratings of two, four, and five stars for affordability.