ABOUT 1ST STEP BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Located in in South Florida’s Pompano Beach, 1st Step Behavioral Health offers a full-continuum of substance abuse treatment services for adults who are struggling substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The facility offers inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), outpatient treatment (OP), and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP). Additionally, sober living facilities are available as well as on-site detox.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to 1st Step Behavioral Health's website, individuals in need of medical assistance begin their treatment in the facility’s detox unit, which often uses medication to help with withdrawal symptoms. The average length of stay in the detox unit is between seven to 14 days. Once stabilized, clients typically move to inpatient treatment.
Each client’s treatment plan is highly individualized and based on a comprehensive nursing assessment and evaluation, medical history, physical assessment, and initial psychiatric evaluation.
The treatment program follows evidence- based and 12-Step program methods. Programming includes a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, gender group therapy, family counseling, addiction education, life skills development, holistic therapy, and relapse prevention.
The Partial Hospitalization Program offers similar treatment and support as the inpatient treatment, but on a lower level of intensity. Additional therapy may include ego-modifying therapy, experiential therapy, rational emotive therapy, role playing, and therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment offer additional levels of step-down treatment.Sober living facilities are used in conjunction with partial hospitalization or outpatient treatment.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
1st Step Behavioral Health's website notes the treatment team includes registered nurses and nurse practitioners, licensed professional counselors (LPC), certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADC), licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), and licensed social workers (LSW). The center has a 1:1 staff-to-client ratio, and it is one of the 192 (26.8 percent) of Florida facilities that are Joint Commission Accredited.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
1st Step Behavioral Health's website indicates th sober living facilities are available to all clients, including those enrolled in outpatient programs. Clients live in fully-furnished apartment-style accommodations equipped with semi-private bedrooms, small kitchens, and common areas. Amenities include an on-site swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and gym access.
Patients participating in inpatient treatment can go to the gym five nights a week and have the option of chiropractic and massage therapy. The facility’s website indicates that transportation is available for 12-step meetings outside the facility, supervised grocery shopping, and for weekend fellowship activities.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The more than a hundred alumni polled by Rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided mostly positive commentary. Multiple alumni praised the center, and noting the treatment program and staff saved their life. The 35 alumni surveyed on different metrics provided high ratings when asked if they would recommend 1st Step Behavioral Health and for the staff's experience.
Staff's experience: 4.4/5
Would recommend: 4.5/5
"The staff in a whole are great people and genuinely care about the clients on a professional and personal level," an alum wrote in a representative review. "I would highly suggest this treatment center to anyone."
Alumni also praised other aspects including its leisure activities, and gave high ratings for family participation, cleanliness, and affordability.
Exercise & leisure: 4.2/5
Family participation: 4.2/5
Cleanliness: 4.4/5
Affordability: 4.2/3
"First Step saved my life and I would recommend this facility to anyone in need," another alum wrote in a representative review."
To date, the 142 people to leave reviews on its Facebook page, which it has the ability to manage, gave an average of 4.8 out of five stars.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The more than 17 loved ones surveyed by Rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided mostly positive reviews. Loved ones also rated the center high for almost all metrics, and mostly all indicated they would recommend 1st Step Behavioral Health.
Would recommend: 4.5/5
Loved ones also praised the center's programming, counseling options, family participation, and exercise & leisure. "My daughter was in several and this is by far the best caring and effective facility," a loved one wrote.
Counseling options: 4.5/5
Family participation: 4.7/5
Exercise & leisure: 4.6/5
WHAT STAFF SAY
The seven staffers polled by Rehabs.com to date provided mostly positive reviews, feedback, and most indicated they would recommend the 1st Step Behavioral Health.
Would recommend: 4.5/5
Staff's experience: 4.5/5
Counseling Options: 4.5/5
Family participation: 4.7/5
"Our clients leave treatment with the knowledge that staff are here for them beyond the treatment experience," a staffer wrote in a representative review.
FINANCING
According to 1st Step Behavioral Health's website, it accepts most private insurance plans and is in-network with Aetna and MHNet. The facility also offers a sliding scale fee, placing it among the 62 percent of Florida facilities that offer one.