Last June, I posted a question and UMIAT provided excellent answers.

However, my question is beyond that report, are there "recent"
listings or rankings of the best rehab centers in the U.S.? Betty Ford
and Hazeldon are the most famous, but are there others that might have
better reputations and treatment rates for their clients? Sierra
Tuscon might be one.

Has there been in the last five years, a ranking or listing by
periodicals including the New England Journal of Medecine that ranks
the various rehabs in the US? ( Cost not necessarily a factor).

Also, there are a variety of medications that have been used to treat
alcoholism, are there any reports in the last 3-5 years that rate
these medications as for effectiveness and the least side-effects?

Please advise and do not hestitate to ask for clarification. I would
prefer UMIAT or someone who has an expertise in this matter.

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 15 Feb 2004 16:51 PST

Hi, johnster!

 It's nice to hear from you again. I will have a look and see what
information I can find for you.

umiat

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 15 Feb 2004 23:15 PST

Johnster,

I have not been able to find any further rankings of alcohol treatment facilities. 

Have you ever considered participating in a clinical research trial?
Take a look at the following trials that are currently recruiting:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/action/FindCondition?ui=D000437&recruiting=true 

=

As for medications...you might want to take a look at a sample of
articles which mention the most recognized medications currently in
use. I can find more articles like these if you are interested.

"Use of naltrexone in the treatment of alcoholism nationally in the
Department of Veterans Affairs." Petrakis IL, Leslie D, Rosenheck R.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14634494&dopt=Abstract

"Barriers to the use of medications to treat alcoholism." Mark TL,
Kranzler HR, Poole VH, Hagen CA, McLeod C, Crosse S.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14504021&dopt=Abstract

"Sertraline and cognitive behavioral therapy for depressed alcoholics:
results of a placebo-controlled trial."Moak DH, Anton RF, Latham PK,
Voronin KE, Waid RL, Durazo-Arvizu R.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14624185&dopt=Abstract

"Metadoxine in the treatment of acute and chronic alcoholism: a
review." Addolorato G, Ancona C, Capristo E, Gasbarrini G.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14611722&dopt=Abstract

==

 I am quite sure that I cannot find any further information than I
provided for you in my last answer as far as treatment facilities are
concerned. There are numerous directories of facilities, but not with
ratings. US News, which provides annual rankings of the best
hospitals, does not rank substance abuse facilities. New England
Journal of Medicine is a research journal which does not provide
rankings for rehabilitation facilities, either.

 If you would like me to focus on finding further research articles
concerning medications, I can certainly do that. Otherwise, is there
anything else you would like me to look into for you?

Sincerely, 

umiat

---

Clarification of Question by johnster-ga on 17 Feb 2004 07:20 PST

Hi Umiat,

Sorry to take so long getting back to you.

Is there nothing newer than two 1988 books that ranked rehab centers,
one appropriately called, Rehab, and the other, 100 best treatment
centers?

Are there any other periodicals that have rated institutions based on
their personnel and long term patient sobriety rates?

Are there any chat rooms or sites of treatment professionals and/or
clients that address this issue? A friend of mine who is just good on
the internet ran across a gay chatroom where one person described
Sierra Tuscon as the Cadillac of centers.

In your previous research, you pointed out a couple of centers that
recommend at least 90 days or so, they say there is a correlation
between long stays and greater sobriety. Is this true?

Please put on your thinking cap again UMIAT and try to think of
anything which might be helpful.

Thank you again.

Johnster

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Feb 2004 17:43 PST

johnster,

 I think one of the reasons there are no facility ratings is due to
the fact that individual addictions and rates of relapse depend as
much (or more) on the client as they do on the treatment facility. For
that reason, there are individuals who can find as much success out of
local AA meetings as those who have attended treatment facilities one
or more times. Is the fact that there are so many well-known
celebrities relapsing a function of the treatment centers they have
visited (often the most highly recognized) or a function of their own
individual unwillingness (or inability) to change?

* I have found a service that provides excellent recommendations for
facilities depending on your specific situation. It is confidential
(and free) and will provide recommendations for the best treatment
facilties based upon the personal information you provide. You will be
in contact with a placement specialist (who can) better determine each
of your needs and desires in a facility and successfully match them
with the best possible level of care available.

You told me to put my thinking cap on and try some other methods.
Therefore, since I have not found any further rating services, I have
followed another direction which I hope will prove helpful. I found
some very reputable websites focused on addiction and alcoholism which
highlight "certain" treatment centers on their pages (alcohol, drugs
or both). I believe this may another way to discern which centers are
highly regarded.

However, to reiterate, I have found no other ratings services. I think
that looking over the new facilities I have uncovered plus talking
with a confidential placement specialist from the service I mentioned
are your best bets.

I have already put a fair amount of research into this, and do not
want to proceed unless you fully understand that I have found no new
rating service. I understand that your friend may have found good
information on Sierra Tuscon on a chat site, but that may be one
person's opinion and not representative of the whole.

 All I can do is offer some of the other alternatives I have
mentioned, plus research the latest news on medications.

Are you okay with that as an answer?  

umiat

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Feb 2004 23:03 PST

Johnster,
 By the way, there are many forums out there where you can type in the
name of a rehab facility and get some individual experiences. I did
not find any of them very helpful!
 Here is a search string you can follow for Sierra Tucson:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&c2coff=1&q=sierra+tucson&btnG=Google+Search

---

Clarification of Question by johnster-ga on 18 Feb 2004 06:34 PST

Yes Umiat,

If I understand you correctly, you've exhausted all of the resources
and am telling me , that's it, with some exceptions you mentioned.

That's fine and I would like to see the sites that provide evaluation
and may provide a clue, based on their advertisers, which are the
better centers.

Please send that information ASAP and I will rate the question immediately.

Thank you

Johnster

Hi, johnster!

I know you have been giving very careful consideration to finding the
best treatment center for yourself. I also remember that you have some
specific needs and preferences for the types of people, programs and
activities offered. Therefore, I believe the following service
outlined below would be of great value to you.

=

The "Drug and Alcohol Rehab Service" provides confidential
consultations and referrals at no cost. Since you have already
narrowed down the playing field of treatment centers that interest
you, you might want to consult with their advisors about the pros and
cons of some specific facilities, as well as be open to any further
suggestions they might offer.

* You should be able to be very free and open about your needs and
desires in a treatment center (what types of people you want to be
grouped with, etc.) I know from your past questions that you are
looking for a center that caters to clients with more of a
professional background, you would like some recreational activities,
you want to find facilities that have a primary focus on alcoholism,
focus on small groups, etc)

Please refer to their website below:


DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHAB SERVICES
================================
"Drug and alcohol rehab services is a no-cost public benefit service
designed to help addicts, alcoholics, chronic relapse victims, and
their families find effective treatment and intervention for
alcoholism and drug addiction of the highest quality at no cost. There
are thousands of drug and alcohol rehabilitation organizations in this
county at the moment, and knowing which one to send your loved one to
is a daunting task. Does more expensive mean better drug treatment?
Does a drug and alcohol treatment center that comes up #1 in a search
in Yahoo mean it is the best treatment center for the addict? The
answer is no. We at Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services know our nation's
drug treatment centers inside and out, and can place your loved one
(at no charge) in the center most appropriate for them."

READ FURTHER.....
http://www.drugandalcoholrehab.net/


FOR CONTACT AND A CONFIDENTIAL ONLINE ASSESSMENT
http://www.drugandalcoholrehab.net/Assessment.html


*** Again, johnster, I think this is an excellent opportunity for you
to "lay it all on the table", so to speak, and be as honest as you can
about what you want in a treatment facility. Once they provide you
with several names, you can then look further into each facility and
make a final decision.


=====


THE ADDICTION RECOVERY GUIDE lists specific facilities on their
website, which "may" provide an indication of facilities that are more
highly regarded. The producer of the website is Lucy Waletzky, MD, a
practicing psychiatrist and a fellow of the American Psychiatric
Association. Again, this does not necessarily mean that these
facilities are the best, but I don't think such a reputable
organization would place questionable treatment centers on their
website.

Addiction Recovery Guide
http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.com/index.html


** Facilities with Descriptions (some of these will look familiar)
http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.com/residential/view.html

 Addiction Institute of NY 
 Arms Acres 
 Ashley 
 Behav. Health Palm Beaches 
 Betty Ford Center  
 Caron Foundation  
 Cri-Help 
 Day Top 
 Fairview Recovery 
 Hazelden 
 Marworth 
 Mountainside 
 Odyssey House 
 Phoenix House 
 Pride Institute 
 Samaritan 
 Sierra Tucson 
 Silver Hill 
 Support Systems Homes 
 Spencer Recovery 
 Turning Point 


** Center Comparison Chart
http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.com/residential/chart.html



===



Since you previously mentioned that you have family on the Eastern
Seaboard, please look again at Mountainside Treatment Center in
Connecticut:


MOUNTAINSIDE TREATMENT CENTER
==============================
http://www.mountainside.org/

I gave them a phone call to make sure that they deal with alcohol
addiction, and the answer is "Yes."

See the Personal Letters sent to Mountainside by Senators Joseph
Lieberman and Chris Dodd:
http://www.mountainside.org/letter1.html
http://www.mountainside.org/letter2.html

Treatment Process
http://www.mountainside.org/treatment.htm
(I like their focus on Gender-Specific Groups)
 
Treatment Schedule
http://www.mountainside.org/schedule.html

Adventure Based Initiatives
http://www.mountainside.org/adventure.html


==


One other facility I came across in my search that has not been
mentioned before is the Comeback Treatment Center in California. It
has three campuses.


COMEBACK TREATMENT CENTER - California
=======================================
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/

From the FAQ's:
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/faq.htm

"CTC offers several levels of drug addiction programs. Average
treatment time is 28-90 days. Special recovery packages range from a
21 day primary program to 1 year extended program. Sober living is
available indefinitely."


Drug & Alcohol Treatment & Recovery News (2/2004)
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/treatment_news.htm

"The better treatment centers around the country are state licensed
and certified and must meet certain criteria and standards that
encourage a healthy, therapeutic environment. This is what CTC is all
about. However, state agencies cannot possibly dictate the quality of
a treatment center?s staff. The best treatment centers hand-pick their
staff according to experience, educational background, communication
skills, and especially their compassion abilities.

* "Comeback Treatment Center meets all the above standards." 

* "The quality of the facilities and grounds are first class. The
curriculum and methods of therapy are state-of -the-art. But the
proudest component of CTC and what sets it apart from other treatment
centers is its people. While having helped thousands recover from drug
addiction and alcoholism, the philosophy of CTC stays the same: all
this company?s myriad resources go into serving the next client who
has a desire to change."
(Read more....

Treatment Programs
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/programs.htm

The Three Facilities
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/our_facility.htm

Activities
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/activities.htm

Referring Professionals
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/referring_professionals.htm

(scroll down for client testimonials dealing with alcohol) 
http://www.comebacktreatment.com/testimonials.htm




List of message boards:
=========================
Addiction Recovery Guide
http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.com/treatment/mbrd_chat.html


Some Facility Directories: (does not include ratings)
=======================================================
Addiction Resource Guide - Special Populations
http://www.addictionresourceguide.com/specpop/alcohol.html


Additional Reading
==================

For some information about both the Promises and Passages Programs in Malibu:

Read "Ritzy vs. Reality Rehab," by Amy Sims. Fox News. (August 2002)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,60545,00.html


The following article is interesting but does not mention specific
treatment centers:

"Sobering Times for Treatment Centers," by Judy Bolyard Purdy.
University of Georgia Research. (Summer 2002)
http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/researchnews/summer2002/sober02.htm



MEDICATIONS
===========

Antabuse 
--------
Basic Information on Pharmacology and Use
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/disulfiram.htm

=

"Antabuse is an aid in the management of appropriate patients who want
to remain in a state of enforced sobriety so that they can take the
best advantage of supportive and psychotherapeutic
treatment......Research has shown that if patients comply with a
regimen of this medication as part of a complete treatment plan,
Antabuse can help committed quitters - the patients who have made it
clear they do not want to drink again - achieve total abstinence from
alcohol."

Read "The Role of Antabuse (disulfiram) in the Treatment of Alcohol
Use Problems." Practical Healthcare Tomorrow. (May/June 2003)
http://www.bhrpress.com/bookstore/reports/Antabuse.pdf


Naltrexone
----------
Basic Information
http://familydoctor.org/x1742.xml

=

"Psychosocial treatments for alcoholism have been shown to increase
abstinence rates and improve the quality of life for many alcoholics.
Nonetheless, a significant proportion of alcoholics find it difficult
to maintain initial treatment gains and eventually relapse to
problematic drinking. Some of these individuals can now be helped with
naltrexone, an opiate antagonist recently approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol abuse disorders. When used
as an adjunct to psychosocial therapies for alcohol-dependent or
alcohol-abusing patients, naltrexone can reduce:

*The percentage of days spent drinking
*The amount of alcohol consumed on a drinking occasion
*Relapse to excessive and destructive drinking

"Naltrexone therapy improves treatment outcomes when added to other
components of alcoholism treatment. For patients who are motivated to
take the medication, naltrexone is an important and valuable tool. In
many patients, a short regimen of naltrexone will provide a critical
period of sobriety, during which the patient learns to stay sober
without it."

Read More: "Naltrexone And Alcoholism Treatment-Treatment Improvement
Protocol (TIP) Series 28."
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/BKD268/28c.aspx


=====


 One other thing that you might do.....after you have selected some
treatment centers, go on the different forum groups, type in the
names, and see what comes up (similar to the string I showed you
concerning Sierra Tucson) Personally, I don't think you get a great
perspective of valid opinions, but I certainly have not checked them
all! You might find some tidbits that make you decide for or against
one or the other.

You can try the Google groups page if you want:
://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&tab=wg&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=

 Most of all, johnster, I wish you the very best of luck. You are
tackling a very difficult problem, but certainly not one that is
unbeatable. I send all my best wishes for you to find the will and
determination to combat your addiction. And...I admire your tenacity
in finding the center that is right for you. Just don't put if off too
long!

 If I can do anything more for you in the future, I will be happy to
help in whatever way that I can.


With utmost sincerity,

umiat   


Search Strategy
alcohol rehab centers
alcoholics +treatment
best rehab facilities
Best alcohol treatment facilities
Looked on various message boards for the following:
Sierra Tucson
Betty Ford Center
Comeback Treatment Center
Hazeldon
does antabuse work?
antabuse +success
naltrexone AND alcoholism

I think Umiat did a very good job once again. Between her answers and
my own research, I think we have completely satisfied my original
question.

Hats off to Umiat.

johnster,
 Thank you so much for your very kind words and extreme generosity!
umiat