ABOUT RIVER OAKS HOSPITAL
River Oaks Hospital, located in the Harahan community just west of New Orleans, is a 126-bed psychiatric facility that provides inpatient and outpatient-based treatment for adults and adolescents struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness, and co-occurring conditions.
Trauma-based disorders are a priority, an area of specialization offered by fewer than 25 percent of Louisiana’s 157 substance abuse treatment facilities, and the hospital is one of 10.2 percent of facilities in Louisiana to provide a specialized treatment track for current U.S. military members. The facility also provides medically-managed detox services.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Addiction treatment at River Oaks Hospital, according to the facility’s website, is based in 12-step principles, and patients can expect to participate in individual, group, and family therapy. Along with psychotherapeutic modalities, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and motivational enhancement therapy (MET), the hospital’s programming also incorporates art, music, movement, and other expressive therapies.
The hospital’s intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) use the same practices as inpatient. In addition, the River Oaks Hospital Eating Disorders Treatment Center provides a continuum of care, including dual diagnosis treatment, and offers a specialized track for men. In addition, the hospital offers Recovery Renewal, the facility’s 28-day inpatient program for military members.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
River Oaks Hospital employs a team of psychiatrists, addictionologists, registered nurses, social workers, certified substance abuse counselors, and what the facility’s website reports is the largest staff of activity and expressive therapists in the area. Local universities also supply master’s-level interns.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
River Oaks residents stay in five pavilions, each with game and lounge areas, a gym or designated workout area, and semi-private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Website photos depict a comfortable yet clinical environment.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Of the 12 alumni reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date, nine were solidly positive, one mixed, and two negative. Reviewers tended to describe the treatment setting as encouraging or comfortable, and the staff as committed, understanding, and available. However, two alumni did issue caveats for some staff members, whom they characterized as unprofessional. The cost of treatment was another area two otherwise satisfied reviewers identified as a weakness. Detailed polling data was collected by Best-rehabs.com from between four and six alumni.
Staff experience/training: 4.5/5
Affordability: 3.8/5
Alumni also largely agreed on the amount of holistic treatments, characterizing both as somewhat limited in scope, despite the facility’s emphasis on expressive therapy. Dual diagnosis treatment received especially high ratings.
Counseling options: 3/5
Holistic offerings: 2.4/5
Food fared better than the facility’s policies regarding outside communication, and all six alumni polled agreed that River Oaks was well-maintained.
Connectivity: 3.2/5
Cleanliness: 4.3/5
Elsewhere, ratings and feedback for River Oaks Hospital followed similar trends. On Google reviews, 30 individuals contributed to an average rating of 3.3 out of five stars. Comments from alumni were split between about two-thirds who identified their experience (and specific staff) as the best they had experienced, while one-third felt treatment was not effective[1]
Three of four Yelp reviewers echoed a minority of Best-rehabs.com and Google review criticisms, citing the professionalism of staff and the facility’s cleanliness as weaknesses.[2]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Feedback from nine loved ones received by Best-rehabs.com to date was generally in line with Google reviewers, split about two-to-one favorable to critical, with a couple of mixed opinions. Six friends and family members were polled more extensively, providing high ratings for staff, though some offered more critical commentary concerning the staff. One loved one perceived as staff “fresh out of school with NO experience.”
However, most agreed that preparation for aftercare was a strength of River Oaks Hospital. Two highlighted the printed resources, tools, and recommendations provided upon discharge. They also concurred that the hospital was well-maintained and treatment was affordable.
Cleanliness: 4.4/5
Data indicated moderate satisfaction with opportunities for family involvement.
Family participation: 3.7/5
Loved ones on Google reviews most frequently complained about poor communication or inability to connect with loved ones on the phone. Two described interactions with rude medical staff. Of the eight reviews left by loved ones on Google reviews, only two were positive.
FINANCING
River Oaks accepts most insurance and managed care plans, as well as Medicare, Louisiana’s Medicaid, and Tricare.
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