ABOUT SOJOURN HOUSE
Located in the northwestern Illinois city of Freeport, Sojourn House is a non-profit, state-funded facility that provides a continuum of care for individuals struggling with substance use, including those with co-occurring mental health disorders. The facility is one of just 8.9 percent (60) of Illinois’s 675 treatment centers to offer short-term residential care and 11.4 percent to provide long-term residential care. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is also available for both adults and adolescents, along with DUI services. Sojourn House has been in operation for more than 30 years.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
This facility does not maintain a website at the time of this writing. A federal directory of licensed facilities indicates that residential and outpatient programming at Sojourn House incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and 12-step facilitation. Illinois state data lists the facility as one that hosts on-site 12-step meetings.
In addition to evaluations and education that meets official DWI citation requirements, Sojourn House also offers HIV/AIDS and hepatitis screenings and education.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Although there is no information available from Sojourn House regarding staff credentials, 99.2 percent of Illinois substance abuse treatment facilities have continuing education requirements for staff. The one alum and two loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com to date all rated the level of staff training and experienced highly (four or five out of five stars), characterizing treatment team members as knowledgeable and effective communicators.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
All three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com also agreed, with ratings of four and five stars apiece, on the quality of Sojourn house meals, nutrition, and cleanliness and upkeep. Their feedback was less consisted regarding exercise and leisure activity as well as connectivity (or policies regarding outside communication). Parents granted four stars for these aspects, while the alum gave just two, the latter noting explicitly a need for more exercise.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Reviews for Sojourn House submitted to third-party review sites by former clients were consistently positive. The one alum who submitted feedback to Best-rehabs.com would recommend the Illinois facility to others, rating several treatment aspects four out of five stars, including its counseling options and the amount of family participation. They indicated that holistic therapy options were limited, with a two-star rating.
Google and Facebook had one rating apiece for Sojourn House, both four out of five stars, with no additional comments.[1] [2]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two family members polled by Best-rehabs.com to date generally agreed concerning the particular strengths and weaknesses of Sojourn House. Their two-star ratings for the level of family participation contrasted with the alum’s review, and one explicitly referenced a lack of opportunity to be involved in treatment. However, one anonymous loved one wrote: “We were pleased with the staff there. Things were explained to us well.”
They concurred with the alum on a lack of holistic therapy, while also representing counseling options and dual diagnosis treatment less favorably (with one- to three-star ratings). Both parents indicated that their sons were court-ordered to attend treatment, and one highlighted Sojourn’s strict schedule as a strength. They also agreed that treatment at this facility was affordable.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Four reviews left on Indeed by former and current employees of Sojourn House in Freeport were diverse, revealing no consistent trends. One reviewer complained of insufficient staff training and another of limited resources. However, the reviewer also wrote: “The best part of the job was working with the diverse population of Clients.” A third reviewer described co-workers as dedicated and genuinely cared for the clients.
FINANCING
The federal data source referenced elsewhere in this review and CiteHealth both indicated that Medicaid, military, and private insurance are accepted for payment, and a sliding fee scale is available.
[1] GoogleReviews
[2] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sojourn-House/167739183237302