ABOUT LIFE CENTER OF GALAX
Located in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwest Virginia, Life Center of Galax offers medical detox, residential, and day treatment for adults struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Buprenorphine, methadone, and Vivitrol programs are available here as well.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
All clients are introduced to the 12-Steps. The primary treatment modality is group therapy, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), experiential therapies such as psychodrama and role-play, gender-specific groups, reality therapy, and leisure groups. Clients also receive individual therapy and education about addiction; and family workshops are held every week.
Specialized services include a program for those with repeated relapses; a residential program called Wolf Ridge for males ages 18 to 26; a Christian recovery program; a DUI program; and programs for active military and veterans as well as those struggling with an opioid addiction.
Day support includes a partial hospitalization program (PHP), which follows the same course as residential treatment, but enables clients to return home.
Discharge planning can include 12-step referrals, sober house placements, outpatient care, and aftercare groups. The rehab also maintains an active alumni network.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to the facility’s website, the treatment team includes a medical director certified in addiction medicine, a psychiatrist, a 24-hour nursing staff, licensed professional counselors, and certified addiction counselors. The rehab is nationally accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The facility does not provide detailed information about its accommodations. Photos on the website show well-kept structures, a large outdoor porch and gazebo, and attractive grounds. Weekend activities include off-site outings for hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, bowling, and visits to a nearby recreation center.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
More than three dozen alumni reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing were mixed. Half of those who responded with numerical ratings assigned four and five out of five stars to overall effectiveness, accommodations & amenities, and meals & nutrition. The other half provided three stars and lower to the same variables.
Many commended the staff and efficacy of the program. An anonymous alum told Best-rehabs.com: “Friendly, family oriented, small, emote. Got help and got clean.” Another anonymous reviewer said: “Provides great overall knowledge of the disease of addiction and how to effective treat it though the 12 steps.” J.S.S. summed it up: “Best place ever; I didn’t want to leave.”
Other reviewers considered the remote location a weakness of the facility. Although some alumni praised the staff, others found certain counselors uncaring. Some also said the facility lacked cleanliness. One anonymous reviewer wrote: “I found the facility to be dirty, food was not nutritional, no exercise offered daily, nothing besides AA/NA offered.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Reviews from loved ones were mixed, but largely mediocre. Less than half of the 19 individuals who responded to the Best-rehabs.com survey with numerical ratings assigned high four or five out of five stars for overall effectiveness of the program. The rest offered three, two, and even one stars to that same variable.
On the positive end, friends and family praised the staff and their caring nature. Loved one M. wanted Best-rehabs.com to know about their son’s experience: “It has really made a difference in his thinking and behavior” and added, “He said the food was good. We met several of the counselors, and he spoke highly of all of them.” L.W. noted the good care their loved one received: “Treated her very well and assisted with halfway house” but pointed out the following cornerstones of success: “Family needs to be involved and all friends from the ‘old circle’ need to be left behind.”
Conversely, other loved ones criticized the staff and raised concerns about the poor control of the environment and insufficient oversight of clients. An anonymous reviewer told Best-rehabs.com: “Not enough control of facilities for infiltration of drugs places all residents at risk.”
FINANCING
According to the facility’s website, insurance is accepted, such as Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare, and United Healthcare. The facility also has a relationship with American Healthcare Lending.