ABOUT LA VERNA LODGE
La Verna Lodge is a gender-specific extended residential treatment facility for adults seeking treatment for chemical dependency. It is a part of Fairbanks Addiction Treatment Center, located in the city of Indianapolis. While detox is not available on-site, clients have the option to detox at Fairbanks Hospital before entering the program. Aftercare planning is also offered at the end of the program.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Treatment at La Verna Lodge begins with an initial assessment conducted by a trained substance abuse specialist over the phone. Clients also undergo an admissions screening and orientation before being admitted to the program. The screening is carried out by the clinic manager to determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each client.
The facility provides separate gender-specific treatment programs. Treatment is based on the 12-step program and includes counseling, skills training, community involvement, and recreational activities. La Verna Lodge offers an immersive and secluded experience, removing many of the distractions and temptations of city life. Family involvement is encouraged throughout the process.
La Verna Lodge recommends a stay of 90 days, although the length of stay may vary depending on the individual. The average stay for men is 45 days. The women’s program is tailored to the specific needs of women in recovery. Clients have access to support services around-the-clock and are required to commit to at least 30 days of treatment.
Alongside traditional therapies, La Verna Lodge incorporates experiential therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, expressive arts, adventure therapy, and spiritual counseling. Family members and loved ones can participate in treatment through family programs, which involve meetings with the client’s family counselor.
After completing the program, services for aftercare planning and an alumni program are available. After achieving 90 days of sobriety, alumni can attend social functions, educational classes, and volunteer at La Verna Lodge or Fairbanks Hospital. Clients are encouraged to establish support networks at home and within their communities.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Information about La Verna Lodge’s treatment team is limited. The facility collaborates with various professional organizations for referrals and continued services. Staff members are licensed, and some counselors are also in recovery, according to a blog post on Fairbanks Addiction Treatment Center’s website.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
La Verna Lodge provides gender-specific residences in a secluded and natural environment that promotes recovery. The women’s lodge is located in Shelbyville, a rural community 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis. Set on 38 acres of forest, the 6,600-square-foot lodge features a large stone fireplace, wooden porches, and an outside fire pit.
The men’s facility, established in 1998, is located in Hamilton County and offers rustic accents. It is set on seven wooded acres and provides shared bedrooms. Similar to the women’s facility, the men’s lodge has porches that overlook the forested grounds and can accommodate up to 14 men.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Alumni who have been polled by Best-rehabs.com have generally recommended La Verna Lodge, with most giving four out of five stars or higher when asked if they would recommend treatment at the facility. A few alumni provided more detailed feedback, with one rating the staff’s level of training and experience, cleanliness, and connectivity and visitor policy with five out of five stars. Another reviewer gave one star ratings in these categories. Both reviewers gave holistic treatment offerings two out of five stars or lower. The positive reviewers rated treatment effectiveness with five out of five stars, but the negative reviewer rated it with one star, criticizing the focus on group therapy, the staff’s attitude, and the cost of treatment. On La Verna’s unofficial Facebook page, three reviewers gave the facility five out of five stars.
FINANCING
La Verna Lodge relies on donations and government funding for its operations. The facility accepts insurance and offers financial assistance to those who cannot afford treatment. For clients without insurance, there are self-pay discounts and payment plans available.