Caritas Eastman offers supportive treatment to women at high risk, particularly those who have experienced trauma and who are homeless and/or involved in the criminal justice system. The focus is on coaching and teaching life skills to assist clients in reintegrating into society as successful and sober individuals.
ABOUT GATEWAY’S EASTMAN HOUSE
Located in Central Pawtucket, R.I., near Providence, Gateway Healthcare’s Eastman House provides residential treatment for women struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental conditions. The facility is one of only 12 non-hospital residential facilities in Rhode Island.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the facility’s website, Eastman House places an emphasis on group and individual counseling to address any underlying causes that may contribute to addictive behavior. One alumni reported receiving group counseling twice per day, seven days per week.
Specific groups include trauma, spirituality, women’s assertiveness issues, and peer-led groups. Relapse prevention and psychoeducation classes are also integrated into programming. The facility also offers support for co-occurring mental conditions, which may include psychiatric evaluations, disorder-specific group counseling, and medication management or referrals.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Eastman House employs a team of alcohol and drug counselors. One alumni rated the level of staff training as two out of five stars and the level of staff support as three stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Photographs on the facility’s website indicate that Eastman House is located in an area with limited outdoor space, across from a shopping plaza. One alumni gave the quality of accommodations and amenities a three out of five star-rating, but rated the facility’s cleanliness as five stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two alumni surveyed had differing opinions about the facility. One alumni left negative feedback about Gateway’s Eastman House, citing argumentative, quick-tempered, and incompetent staff. She rated the facility’s inclusion of holistic treatment methods as one out of five stars, and rated metrics such as staff training and experience, respect shown toward clients, and staff flexibility as two stars. However, she did highlight positive aspects of her treatment such as the visitor policy, meals and nutrition, and cleanliness.
On the other hand, another alumni named Jen disagreed and gave a perfect five-star rating for the overall effectiveness of treatment. Reporting sustained sobriety, Jen wrote: “I found staff to be fully educated in the substance abuse area and fully cooperative…”
Reviews from third-party sites revealed repeated complaints about staff, cleanliness, and treatment effectiveness. On CiteHealth, the facility received an average rating of one out of five stars based on four reviews. One anonymous reviewer stated: “Staff was extremely petty and immature. Had zero control over patients and was a mess. Don’t bother coming here.” Another simply said: “Horrible. No treatment whatsoever.”
FINANCING
According to Healthgrove, Eastman House accepts Medicaid and Medicare as well as public and private health care plans.