ABOUT SUMMITRIDGE HOSPITAL
Located in a northeastern suburb of Atlanta, SummitRidge Hospital provides inpatient, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for adults, adolescents (ages 13 to 17), and seniors struggling with mental illness, chemical dependency, and co-occurring disorders. Medical detoxification is available on-site. In addition to the Lawrenceville hospital, Summitridge operates a second PHP site for adults in Athens, Ga.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
SummitRidge Hopsital clients can participate in an initial assessment by phone or on a walk-in basis at the hospital. Individuals who require stabilization and access to 24/7 medical attention are typically referred for inpatient treatment, which is designed to be short-term. This is where detox services are provided for adults and adolescents. While undergoing detox, clients can expect to attend group therapy, focused on an introduction to recovery, and on-site community 12-step groups.
Following stabilization, or as an initial treatment phase, clients are referred to an average of two weeks in a SummitRidge partial hospitalization (or day) program. The PHP focus is on addiction education and group processing, learning about consequences, coping skills, and support resources for ongoing recovery. In the IOP, more emphasis is placed on guidance through the 12-Steps and connection with a local recovery community. The Addictive Disorders IOP for adults runs for seven to eight weeks.
Families and other loved ones of clients are highly encouraged to participate throughout the rehab process. Both family groups and individual family counseling sessions are available. At least one community Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting is held at the hospital, five days a week.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
SummitRidge Hospital employs psychiatrists, certified addictions counselors, social workers, registered nurses, certified recreation therapists, and master’s level art/music therapists.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
One of the unique features of SummitRidge Hospital touted on the facility’s website is its healing garden. Clients enrolled in treatment are encouraged to learn and participating in the planting, pruning, and harvesting processes. They can also spend time in the garden just observing and relaxing. The garden is organic and clients can pick and eat vegetables and fruit when they want to.
Website photographs depict a one-story hospital with a clinical look. Several spaces have access to natural light and furnishings are simple but comfortable-looking.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
All three former clients of SummitRidge Hospital polled by Best-rehabs.com to date would recommend the rehab facility to others. Data gathered from metrics measuring various aspects of accommodations and treatment revealed generally positive trends. The staff’s level of training and experience, for instance, received ratings of four or five out of five stars*, as did the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep and its capacity to provide dual diagnosis treatment (from two survey respondents). Alum Fred reported benefits from peer interaction as well as from treatment staff.
Alumni rated the overall effectiveness of treatment three, four, and five stars. All three cited counseling as a program strength, with particular caveats. An anonymous reviewer suggested that counselors didn’t always listen well, and alum Erin also implied inconsistencies in treatment staff. Alum Erin praised SummitRidge for its groups and medication management services, but cited lacks in alternative therapeutic activities, religious programming, and individual counseling as weaknesses. None of the seven total individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com mentioned the facility’s Healing Garden, and the two alumni asked about holistic therapy offerings granted just one and two stars.
Family participation, another priority of the hospital, garnered two and four stars, respectively, from the two alumni polled on this aspect.
On Google, 82 individuals contributed to an average rating of 2.1 out of five stars for SummitRidge Hospital.[1] Reviewers, who included alumni, loved ones, and staff, referenced mostly acute psychiatric treatment, not substance use disorder outpatient programming. Several expressed concerns about proper medication management, also frequently complaining of rude or incompetent staff.
On the other hand, the vast majority of comments mentioning food at SummitRidge were positive, including several reviews on Google and high ratings on Best-rehabs.com.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Three loved ones provided moderately positive feedback to Best-rehabs.com, while a fourth would not recommend SummitRidge hospital to others. The most critical reviewer described the facility as “irresponsible,” providing insufficient supervision of clients. However, this family member also reported that recreational activities and medication management were program strengths.
In keeping with alumni perspectives, the four alumni polled rated meals and nutrition 4.5 stars on average, as well as 4.25 for cleanliness. Other data gathered by Best-rehabs.com suggested general satisfaction with family programming (3.75 stars), staff’s level of training and experience (3.25), and treatment effectiveness (three stars, on average). Loved ones echoed alumni dissatisfaction with holistic offerings.
One reviewer noted a need for more follow-up and aftercare support and another cited cost as a weakness. The four granted 3.5 stars for affordability.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Of note is a Google review submitted by a SummitRidge staff member within six months of this writing, which referenced new leadership at the hospital.
FINANCING
While no information is provided by the facility regarding treatment costs, the SummitRidge Hospital website lists more than two dozen private and Medicare-supplement insurance plans accepted. Clients may also use TRICARE.
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