ABOUT MAINEGENERAL HEALTH – INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM
Located in the community of Waterville, Maine, 76 miles north of Portland, MaineGeneral Health offers one of the only 37 (16.2 percent) comprehensive intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in the state. This treatment facility is for adults struggling with chemical dependency or a dual diagnosis, a specifically-tailored program offered by just 101 (44.1 percent) treatment facilities in Maine. According to the facility’s website, the IOP may be utilized as a stand-alone program or as a “step-down” aftercare program upon the completion of inpatient detoxification.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission, clients may participate in an initial substance abuse and psychiatric assessment to identify specific problems, such as mental health concerns, and ensure the outpatient program is an appropriate level of care. IOP implements the Matrix Model in its programming, and blends educational classes with primary group counseling sessions to address any underlying causes of addiction. IOP may address issues and concepts such as relapse prevention techniques, trigger avoidance, the physical and psychological effects of addiction, and coping skills.
Although group counseling and educational classes are the primary components of IOP, MaineGeneral also facilitates individual and family therapy sessions as needed. Family members, significant others, and friends are also invited to attend the program’s Concern Persons Day each week to learn more about addiction, the process of recovery, and their role in recovery. IOP sessions are held for four hours, Monday through Friday, and treatment typically lasts four to six weeks.
MaineGeneral also offers focused counseling for individuals facing an opiate use disorder.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
MaineGeneral Health’s intensive outpatient program is facilitated by a team of medical doctors, psychiatrists, substance abuse counselors, psychologists, and licensed social workers. Staff received mixed reviews from the three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date. Staff level of experience and training earned a high, four-star rating and a low, one-star rating, and the level of staff support received a neutral three out of five stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
One of the two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, D.L., felt some areas of treatment excelled, while others could use some improvements, giving average to high ratings for most categories. Three stars were given to holistic offerings, the facility’s connectivity policy, and the staff’s respect for client counseling preferences. Five stars were given to exercise and leisure activities and accommodations.
Out of five stars, D.L. gave the facility a perfect five-star rating for the overall effectiveness of group counseling sessions and four stars for the training of counselors. Yet, he cited counselor availability as a facility weakness. D.L. selected MaineGeneral through a legal referral and indicated that he would recommend this facility “Because its a safe environment to get familiar with yourself.”
The other alum, who remained anonymous, remarked upon the “Personalized treatment” and praised the aftercare offerings: “they set me up with a counselor after discharge to make sure that everything achieved during that week was maintained.”
The sole Google reviewer to date gave this facility two out of five stars, and wrote, “you can’t be honest without being judged.”
On the facility’s Facebook page, which the facility can monitor, MaineGeneral had an average rating of 4.2 stars across 306 reviews at the time of this writing. None of these reviews specifically mentioned the Intensive Outpatient Program.
WHAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY
To date, Best-rehabs.com received survey responses from two loved ones, who varied in their opinions of the facility. One anonymous survey respondent gave a one-star rating for the facility’s family participation, describing it as “not family friendly.” This dissatisfied loved one also a gave poor, one-star rating to the facility’s treatment of dual diagnosis, a two-star rating for overall treatment effectiveness, and three stars for holistic offerings and counseling options.
Conversely, the other loved one awarded family participation a perfect five- out of five-star rating. Five-star ratings were also given to accommodations, cleanliness, and the facility’s connectivity policy. Noting that the facility was “well run” as a particular strength, this loved one awarded four stars to treatment effectiveness, exercise and leisure activities, affordability, counseling options, admissions and discharge procedures, and whether or not treatment was worth the cost. “My family member attended treatment here and did well with the program. I would recommend it to anyone needing help,” the anonymous loved one added.
FINANCING
While no information is available on the facility’s website regarding pricing, MaineGeneral accepts most insurance plans, Medicare, and MaineCare. According to its website, discounts are available to individuals who self-pay, and financial assistance, through the facility’s Free Care Program, may be available to underinsured or uninsured individuals unable to pay for treatment. MaineGeneral’s HealthGrove page additionally indicates that Access to Recovery (ATR) Vouchers are accepted.