Ascend Recovery

Ascend Recovery

ABOUT ASCEND RECOVERY

Located in the small town of American Fork, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City, Ascend Recovery offers an individualized, three-phase residential treatment and lifetime aftercare for adults struggling with chemical dependency or a co-occurring disorder. Medical detoxification services are not offered on-site.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Upon admission, clients participate in an initial substance abuse assessment and psychiatric evaluation to help clinicians form an individualized treatment program. The facility’s holistic, evidenced-based program is trauma-informed and combines group and individual therapy with a range of experiential therapies and 12-step participation.

To help individuals progress through the different phases of their recovery, clients move through three steps of residential care. During Step 1, clients stay at the Lake House residence, where they adhere to a highly-structured treatment schedule. Typically lasting between 30 to 90 days, the initial phase offers the foundation for early recovery.

During this phase, clients meet weekly with a psychiatrist and attend three case management sessions per week. Clients are also introduced to the principles and practices of 12-Step and participate in range of experiential therapies, including equine therapy, arts therapy, and a ropes course.

In Step 2, clients move to Eagle View, a transitional facility where residents work to maintain the sober living skills formulated at the Lake House. During this phases, clients incorporate these skills to daily life. For instance, clients find a job and create a budget while developing a network of sober peers. Clients continue to live in a structured, scheduled environment.

Finally, in Step 3, clients move on to the sober living Riley House to begin the maintenance phase of the program, where clients begin to attend school, work, or make long-term career plans as individuals. Once a client has accomplished five months of sobriety and set-up a support network, they are considered ready to move on to independent living.

Ascend Recovery also offers a continuing care program for all alumni. Provided for a lifetime, this aftercare service includes weekly alumni groups and 12-step meetings, as well as monthly recreational activities.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Along with a resident medical director and psychiatrist, Ascend Recovery employs a staff of master’s-level counselors, licensed social workers, a nutritionist, equine specialist, art and yoga instructors, case managers, and residence managers.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

All three residential facilities are upscale, family-style homes with expansive and well-maintained lawns, comfortable furnishings, and spacious communal areas. Clients reside in semi-private bedrooms with twin beds and en-suite bathrooms.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The 15 alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of the writing submitted mixed opinions of the facility. Although a vast majority of reviews were positive, citing the staff and its aftercare program as facility strengths, some respondents did question the facility’s perceived financial-driven motives.

Alum Kevin offered perfect five-star ratings for the facility’s individual counseling, its inclusion of holistic treatment, and the treatment staff’s level of experience and training. “The caliber of care provided and the ability of the treatment team to individualize the care for each client is unmatched,”he wrote. Many alumni supported this positive opinion.

However, three alumni did question the financial motives of the facility. “The main focus for my recovery was to get 90 days worth of fees paid,” alum Sam wrote. Alum N.M. agreed, adding: “They seem to be more focused on the business side of things from start to finish, and in my opinion this starts from the founders on down.”

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

Out of the four loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, three survey respondents generally approved of most aspects of the facility. However, two loved ones did offer more polarizing opinions. While loved one Chris offered a perfect five-star rating for the facility’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders, a major claim of the facility, an anonymous loved one gave a two-star rating for this aspect of treatment.

Praising the facility, K.S., a spouse of a client, wrote: “The family programs were amazing, providing great education as well as opportunities for change as a couple.”

FINANCING

The initial cost starts at $15,500 for the first month of residential treatment at Lake House, and $13,500 for each additional month. Eagle View cost $8,700 each month, while the monthly cost to reside at Riley House cost is $2,700. Ascend Recovery accepts some private insurances, and financial assistance may be available to eligible clients.

Ascend Recovery Reviews

Ascend Recovey has a huge conflict of interest when it come ownership and therapy. When the owner can determine how long you stay he is basically determining how large his check is. This is not a place for healing and learning. It is a place where you will be broken down....I have been clean for several years now, I can say for certain ascend did not help me get clean, if anything they made things harder.
It's been about a year since I stayed at Ascend's lakehouse for two months, which is their principle location. When I realized I was definitely going to rehab the first thing I did was look up reviews on this place. I feel obligated to write one myself in case someone is in my shoes. Ascend is good. They aren't magic, but it was a very good place to be. Realistically, addiction isn't something you can cure. But at a certain capacity, and at the proper time, addiction can be a choice you make. In my experience, Ascend was a very good reset button. Waking up and going to the gym was a weekdaily thing and probaby still is. I took advantage of this and lost a considerable amount of weight. The food they prepare was amazing. Also they have a piano, well and a drumset too, but I grew especially fond of the piano there. The thing that got to me was the empathy, as many of them are recovering addicts themselves. You can study the pathology of addiction as much as you want, but unless you've experienced it there's always a disconnect. There were therapists there however who truly understood what I had been going through. It's a special thing. Their therapist-intern was especially good. Probably the most substantial experience I had was listening to the story of the husband of one of the therapists tell his story. It was harrowing. It made me realize how much worse things could be, and how grateful I am that I haven't that. Keeping it vague of course as a courtesy. The psychtechs (essentially babysitters), and at the time of my stay were almost exclusively recovering addicts themselves, many of whom had been through the program. I took a surprising lot from just conversing with them, hearing their stories, what they had been through and where they are now. Some of them do more than just babysit, jobs and school and etc., but do so only to give back to what they feel helped them get to where they are. All throughout I got the impression that the owner, therapists and staff did sincerely care about us. One of the most memorable times involved the clinical director and therapist coming in at the middle of the night to help my roommate through a rough episode. It wasn't something they were obligated to do, but early on it made me appreciate that she cared about the person more than the pay. I don't know if that makes sense but it was pretty significant to realize how motivated the staff are towards helping the clients. 12 step meetings are definitely a part of their program. There was one almost every day. As someone who is not at all religious, it wasn't a big deal for me. They don't push religion. They do push seeking something greater than yourself, which makes sense considering propensity toward selfish behavior is an exciting feature of addiction. Regretfully I BS'd through it while I was there, but when I returned home I came to realize the small business I work for and close friends are a valuable reason to not do drugs. I suppose the purpose of this, if you're someone who genuinely wants help, who wants to get better, and wants their life back, this place can help. They won't mistreat you, or belittle you. In my experience they understand you, and you'll be surprised at the emotional breakthroughs you and those around you experience if you actually want help. If you're unwilling to accept help then of course it's kind of moot.
Good treatment facility
The staff, the holistic approach, the aftercare, family involvement, three stage program Some of the rules seem a little harsh, but I trust the people running Ascend to know why they are needed Process groups are very good, family participation is a key part of the program, the staff are excellent
...They are the very least understanding and compassionate employees. Do not choose this place. I went to 4 inpatient facilities and this was the only one that sent me home worse than when I arrived.