River Oaks Treatment Center

ABOUT RIVER OAKS.

River Oaks remains open and committed to providing critical addiction treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic. As per the updated CDC guidelines, patients who are vaccinated may not need to quarantine upon admissions. Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 should bring their vaccination cards to the facility when they enter treatment. COVID-19 testing at River Oaks remains available, and the facility is accepting both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

Owned and operated by American Addiction Centers (AAC), River Oaks treatment center provides holistic, evidence-based treatment to individuals struggling with substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders. Set just outside Tampa, Fla., the rehab center supports spiritual, physical, and psychological recovery through AAC’s in-house-developed curriculum, physical activity, meditation, and rest.

Three levels of residential and outpatient care are available at this center, along with medically monitored detoxification is available on-site.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Following a physical, psychological, and social assessment, each client begins a plan of treatment which is adjusted as necessary throughout the rehabilitative process to provide the best care. The facility’s website emphasizes the goal of empowering clients in their recovery.

If detox is necessary, the five- to seven-day drug-specific, medically-monitored process is provided in a dedicated section of the residential facilities. During the withdrawal process, therapists also work with clients to address related mood and behavioral health concerns.

The length of stay for residential treatment varies, but 90 days is the typical recommendation. All programs incorporate 12-step concepts with the “Embracing Change: Recovery for Life” workbook-based curriculum, which features an array of information about addiction, reflection exercises, and therapeutic practices. Depending on clinicians’ recommendations, clients may participate in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, or trauma-informed modalities such as eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), and Seeking Safety. Experiential therapies offered include equine, art and music.

In addition to residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or day program and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) are available. The PHP meets for six to eight hours a day most days of the week and prioritizes helping clients to transition back to life outside of rehab, through sober recreation and building support systems. Similarly, IOP clients meet three to seven days each week, but for just three hour spans. River Oaks staff members also work with each client to develop aftercare plans and can provide referrals to sober living services.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The treatment team includes physicians, nurses, master’s level therapists, licensed social workers, and behavioral health technicians, according to job descriptions accessible through the facility’s website. In Florida, 98.4 percent of substance abuse treatment facilities have continuing education requirements for staff, as of the year 2016.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

The River Oaks campus is described on its website as retreat-like. Photographs feature modern, comfortably furnished meeting and bedrooms, a beautiful lawn and gardens with multiple outdoor seating areas, and a basketball court. The staff includes a personal trainer and professional chef who prepares gourmet meals.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

Feedback from the 26 alumni submitted to Rehabs.com at the time of this writing was perfectly mixed, with 13 positive reviews and 13 negative reviews.

One of the most frequently referenced points in these reviews is the relative newness of the facility. In a representative comment regarding disorganization, alum T.T. wrote, “This is a new facility. They have not worked out the kinks. There is not enough staff.” Angela noted that the program’s therapy workbooks were not available during her first two weeks in treatment, and Robert wrote, "Very unorganized," adding, "The first three days there I couldn\'t find out hardly any info from staff. After talking with other clients I found out this was the norm rather than the exception." Even Yvonne, in an overall positive review, relayed how the nurses discharged her "with incorrect and missing medication." A second alum complained about her experience with discharge procedures as well, feeling that the staff was "more worried about getting paperwork done for discharge rather than caring about what happened after discharge."

Many of the favorable reviews represented the staff as caring and accommodations as high quality, and nine former clients rated the effectiveness of treatment received four or five stars out of five. One former client referred to the program as "exceptional," another praised facility for being "a professional place" with "great activities to do," and a third was grateful for the "comfortable community." However, two critical reviewers complained of not enough one-on-one access to their therapists, three reported issues with cleanliness, and another three commented that their experience did not match what they expected from marketing materials. Former client complained about the cost and U.D. warned that this facility, "over sells, manipulates, and offends it's clients/patients."

Secondary sites yielded much more positive feedback to date. The facility's Facebook page, which the facility has the ability to manage, showcases a 4.4-star average from 47 users.^[2] "Beautiful Facility" and "Sold Groups" are two positive sentiments written by J.J. and shared by most reviewers. "Great client care. This is a phenomenal program with loving staff," former client J.P. wrote in another representative comment.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

All seven reviews submitted to Rehabs.com by loved ones were extremely negative to date. Feedback was in line with alumni comments regarding misleading marketing, overwhelmed staff members, and inadequate treatment for co-occurring conditions. The most widespread complaint was about the facility's connectivity policy and the overall inability to get in contact with their loved ones. The parent of a client expressed frustration at trying to contact her son, only to be "transferred around before (she) got voicemail. No one bothered to call back." Another loved one, Dennise, gave low, one-star ratings to treatment effectiveness, safety, and whether or not the treatment was worth the cost. "My loved one feels like she didn't get any thing at this center but more problems to deal with once she got out I feel the same," Dennise added, in a representative response.

At the time of this writing, family and friends on Google, where the has 3.9 stars from 79 users, were much more pleased with their loved ones' experiences.^[1] The staff, the facility upkeep, and the range of activities are all praised. "I am so thankful for this facility. My husband has returned home a different person. Happy and sober. He made friends there that he still keeps in touch with and they support one another," S.S. wrote in a representative response on Google.

FINANCING

River Oaks accepts most private insurance plans and offers self-pay and payment plan options. Find out if your insurance covers some or all treatment costs.

^[1] GoogleReviews
^[2] https://www.facebook.com/pg/RiverOaksTreatment/reviews/?ref=page_internal