ABOUT SPECIALIZED ASSISTANCE SERVICES – BRANDEN HOUSE
Formerly known as Substance Abuse Services, Inc., Specialized Assistance Services is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive substance abuse treatment to individuals and families. The facility offers numerous services, including residential and outpatient programs, case management, HIV counseling and testing, and mental health assessments and treatments. Branden House is the facility’s residential program. Located about 40 miles south of Chicago in the community of Manteno, the rehab offers long-term treatment for adults of Cook, Will, Kankakee, Kane, and Kendall Counties.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the center’s website, all clients are assessed upon admission using the computerized Addictions Severity Index (ASI) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria II. Based on the results, clinicians are able to form individual treatment plans and ensure the residential program is the most appropriate level of care.
While limited information is available concerning Branden House’s specific treatment modalities and activities, the facility’s official website states that it’s the only long-term residential treatment facility in the state of Illinois to offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) via methadone in conjunction with “standard” substance abuse treatment. Methadone helps to alleviate the discomfort of opioid/opiate withdrawal and help curb cravings.
According to the facility’s website, “standard” substance abuse treatment includes counseling services, educational classes, medical assistance as indicated, and case management. Through counseling and education, clients may learn new coping skills, how to develop community-based support networks, and relapse prevention strategies. An alum polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing indicated that the residential program typically lasted 90 days.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Branden House’s treatment team includes licensed social workers, licensed clinical social workers, and certified alcoholism and drug counselors.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Branden House offers 80 beds. Although information is limited concerning this aspect of treatment, the three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the facility mixed opinions concerning the quality of accommodations and amenities. Out of five stars, the survey respondents offered ratings of two, three, and five stars for this aspect of treatment.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the facility generally positive feedback, both awarded Branden House five-star ratings for its overall treatment effectiveness and indicated they would recommend the facility to others.
One alum gave a perfect five-star rating for the staff’s level of experience and training and a four-star rating for its counseling options. “I have been in treatment several time with less than a positive outcome,” they wrote. “My stay at Branden House has taken hold and I am almost 4 years sober since my stay there.”
The other alum described the staff as caring, offering perfect five-star ratings for the facility’s lead counselors and the effectiveness of group counseling. “They care about patients there, they work towards recovery with you and never try to force you to do anything,” the alum wrote. However, the client did note that the co-ed environment could be a distraction in recovery.
On Google reviews, five individuals all gave the facility a perfect five out of five-star ratings .
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole family member surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing offered negative feedback, giving two-star ratings for the involvement of family members and the qualifications of staff members. “My brother was there twice, both times he had miserable experiences,” W.F.B. wrote. “I would never recommend that place.”.
FINANCING
According to the facility’s website, all clients are assessed a co-pay based on their verified income, which typically ranges from eight to 15 dollars. Branden House accepts Access to Recovery Vouchers, private insurance, and state insurance other than Medicaid.
Updated February 2018