ABOUT EASTSIDE OUTPATIENT SERVICES
Located in the community of Muskegon, Mich., 42 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, Eastside Outpatient Services provides a range of specialized, outpatient-based treatment services for adults and adolescents struggling with chemical dependency, as well as legal issues associated with substance abuse. The primary service of the facility is its medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for adults recovering from opioid addiction.
Through evidence-based addiction medications methadone or Suboxone, the facility helps to alleviate the discomfort of the detoxification process. In addition, Eastside Outpatient Services offers specialized programs for DUI offenders and minors (ages 21 and under) charged with drug or alcohol possession.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
To identify individual client needs, individuals first participate in an initial assessment before beginning treatment. Eastside Outpatient Services’ intake clinicians utilize a Multi-Dimensional Addiction and Personality Profile (MAPP) screening tool to ensure the outpatient level of care is appropriate.
While participating in the MAT program, clients receive a fixed methadone or Suboxone dosage to adequately minimize opiate cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms commonly associated with opiate addiction. In addition to the medication regimen, which addresses the physical issues of addiction, clients also participate in clinician-led individual and group counseling sessions to address the emotional and psychological contributors of addiction. Through these sessions, clients may learn coping techniques, methods for trigger avoidance, and skills for regulating emotions.
As the client progresses through MAT, clinicians may regularly monitor and manage the dosage, gradually decreasing the dosage until the client no longer requires the Suboxone or methadone regimen. To promote personal accountability, Eastside Outpatient Services also facilitates regular drug screenings.
In addition to its MAT program for opioid dependency, Eastside Outpatient Services offers treatment classes for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Along with driver’s license reinstatement assessments, the facility holds one-day Alcohol and Highway Safety Classes for DUI offenders to satisfy local court requirements. In addition, the facility offers Minors in Possession classes designed for clients under the age of 21 who have been convicted of drug or alcohol possession.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Eastside Outpatient Services employs a treatment team comprised of a physician experienced in addiction medicine, nurses, clinical psychologists, licensed substance abuse counselors, and case managers.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The sole former client polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing expressed overall disappointment with Eastside. Out of five stars, alum Liz gave poor one-star ratings for the facility’s counseling options and for the likelihood she would recommend that facility to others; however, Liz did give a four-star rating for the treatment staff’s level of experience and training. “They have counselors you can speak to whenever you need,” she wrote, but added: “I would never recommend this program to anybody.” She also felt that clinicians lacked compassion for the clientele.
Secondary sources to date revealed mixed to positive opinions concerning the facility. On Google, seven reviewers rated the facility an average 2.3 out of five stars.[1] On CiteHealth, three reviewers rated the facility four, five, and five out of five stars.[2]
Two reviewers on Google reported issues with contacting the facility. Rating the facility only one star, representative reviewer Jennings wrote: “I called to get help of course I get an operator not a real person.” However, two alumni on CiteHealth praised the facility’s staff, with one anonymous alum writing: “After a time I considered the nurse practitione, nurses and my counselor as family and was supported during my darkest hour.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
While Best-rehabs.com has yet to recieve feedback from loved ones to date, one loved one on Google rated Eastside only one out of five stars. Supporting alum Liz’s criticisms of staff, loved one Shannon wrote: “If I could give this place zero stars I would. They don’t care about their patients at all.”
FINANCING
Eastside Outpatient Services accepts some private insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Blue Care, and Value Options, as well as Medicare.