Since 1968 our goal has been straightforward: help clients get their life back on track and achieve a life of sobriety, free from drug use and symptoms of mental illness. A life that is productive, socially responsible, and healthy. Gateway Foundation is the largest nonprofit treatment provider in the U.S. specializing in substance use disorders for men, women, adolescents, and clients diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders. Gateway’s professional clinicians support over 6000 people a day to successfully complete treatment by developing a personalized plan to treat the underlying causes of substance use disorder —not just their addiction to drugs or alcohol.
ABOUT GATEWAY FOUNDATION
The Gateway Foundation operates more than a dozen residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment centers across Illinois and Delaware. Set on 43 rural acres about 50 miles north of Chicago, the Lake Villa treatment center serves Lake County and surrounding areas through its gender-specific residential treatment for adults and residential programming for teens and young men seeking treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Medical detox including Suboxone and Vivitrol is available on site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Treatment at the Gateway Foundation — Lake Villa facility begins with an assessment by trained addiction counselors. Clients meet with counselors for an assessment and work with counselors to create an individualized treatment plan. Clients are then assigned to the appropriate program.
Treatment is based on the 12-steps principles combined with education, recreational therapy, and community building. The length of treatment varies according to each client’s needs, though most complete residential care in two to four weeks. For those with co-occurring mental health disorders, the facility offers on-site psychiatry and other psychological treatment methods.
Along with the 12-steps, treatment plans consist of individual counseling, educational groups, family counseling and education, recreational and team-building activities, and relapse-prevention training. Medication-assisted treatments are also available as needed. Medical staff members are available around-the-clock.
Treatment also emphasizes physical exercise and social activity, offering clients hiking, volleyball, and basketball. Designed specifically for older teen boys and young men between the ages of 18 and 23, the Young Men’s Bridge Program focuses on health education, living in balance, maturity development, and anger management.
Family involvement is encouraged throughout the program, including during aftercare services. Weekly aftercare sessions are available for clients that complete the program. Family counseling is also made available as needed.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment staff at Gateway Foundation — Lake Villa includes psychiatrists, physicians, social workers, nurses, and master’s level counselors. All clients receive 24-hour support while living on-site.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Inside the 43-acre Gateway Foundation — Lake Villa campus, there is an indoor gym with a basketball court, a weight room with cardio equipment, a sand volleyball court, and comfortable, outdoor patio areas. The facility has a home-like environment with clinical facilities throughout. Several areas of the facility are lavishly decorated and are often used for meetings. There is also an on-site cafeteria. Clients stay in shared bedrooms with up to four clients per room. Each room has an in-room bathroom.
While in treatment, teens can continue their education through Antioch High School, and families may visit on weekends. The eight Best-rehabs.com survey respondents polled on the matter gave an average rating of 4.25 out of five stars for the facility’s cleanliness.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Of the seven alumni reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, roughly half were very positive, the other half mixed.
By and large, reviewers rated the facility highly for the staff’s level of training and experience at four out of five stars or higher, but gave lower ratings, often just one out of five, for the holistic offerings. “I loved this place,” alum Michelle wrote. “Have been in others and this is the one that had the right combination of AA and therapy and groups.” Others, such as K.M.K., found favor in the aftercare provisions.
However, some alumni found the facility excessively strict on phone usage, while others felt that extracurricular activities were limited. “There is not enough exercise offered,” an anonymous alum complained. All but one of the alumni gave one out of five stars for its holistic offerings.
On Google, Gateway received an average rating of 3.3 out of five stars from 30 reviews to date. Most alumni praised the kind staff members but called the program “tough.” In a representative review, alum Monica wrote: “Staff are very knowledgeable on addiction and they may seem harsh and strict but that is exactly what an addict needs is a routine and rules that need to be followed to retrain our addict brains. The counselors are so helpful and professional and the campus itself is absolutely GORGEOUS.”
On CiteHealth, the facility earned 2.83 out of five stars from six reviews. Reviewers wrote that the facility was beautiful and the staff kind. Some of the negative reviews came from individuals not able to get admitted at this facility.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The six loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave mostly positive feedback.
Together, they awarded the facility above-average ratings of 4.4 out of five stars for its family program, 4.17 stars for its affordability, 3.83 stars for its counseling options, and 3.83 stars for its exercise and leisure options. Like alumni, some loved ones found the holistic offerings sub-par, though nearly half of them listed no program weaknesses.
In addition, several individuals commended the facility for its involvement of families. “Good program to help parents understand what their kids are going through,” one reviewer wrote. Yet another wished for more supervision, and a third reviewer felt that visiting hours were too short.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Best-rehabs.com has also received a pair of survey responses from former staff members, both of whom recommended treatment here. “ONE MUST WANT AMD BE SERIOUS ABOUT ONES TREATMENT, POINT BLANK AND VERY SIMPLE,” R.L.D. claimed. This staff member gave five out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, accommodations and amenities, and meals and nutrition.
In responding to commentary about unqualified staff members, Ressie, the other, told of “educated and caring staff that take all residents care very serious.”
FINANCING
Gateway is in-network with many health insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United. Medicaid is accepted for some programs, and state funding and charitable assistance may also be available.
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