Forterus Review
Forterus offers two residential programs in Southern California, one for men and women in Murrieta and one in San Diego for men only. Forterus is owned by American Addiction Centers and offers an affordable 30- to 90- day program in homey residences.
Accommodations and Food
At the Murrieta location, clients live in 10 residential homes, each of them holding six to eight people with two to a room. The houses provide a comfortable setting in a pleasant neighborhood. There is a full kitchen and dining room in each home and the living room features cozy couches, a television and a working fireplace. No cell phones or laptops are allowed.
Residents are transported every morning by van to the main treatment facility, just a short drive away, where they attend a full day of group and individual therapy. Daily transportation to an off-site gym is also provided.
The program in San Diego houses 36 male clients in a family-style facility. Each shares a bedroom with one other person. The rooms are pretty sparse—just two twin-sized beds and two dressers. The living room television is available for viewing during free time and a house phone can be used during phone hours. Otherwise, no personal technology is allowed, as clients are encouraged to focus on recovery. All group and individual therapy sessions are held in the main facility, just a short walk away.
Residents of both Forterus programs are required to make all of their own meals since cooking is seen as an essential life skill and an important part of healthy sober living. An allowance is given to clients each week to spend during supervised trips to the grocery store and a nutritionist helps them make healthy food choices. All allowance money is included in the monthly fee.
Treatment and Staff
On-site medical detox is available at both facilities for no additional cost. Once clients are ready to move out of the four-day detox, they follow a full schedule of groups, recreation, individual counseling and educational lectures. Group topics include nutrition, relapse prevention, trauma, family dynamics and triggers. Evidence-based therapy modalities such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and solution-focused therapy are used. Individual counseling occurs on a weekly basis with each resident’s primary therapist. The staff at both facilities is a mix of nurses, MDs, a psychiatrist, social workers and licensed counselors.
The Murrieta location offers a Christian-based track called Building On The Rock, which is basically the 12 steps with a Christian perspective. Off-site 12-step meetings are available on a daily basis. The San Diego program offers a more traditional approach to the 12 steps, allowing clients to go to meetings if they choose.
A typical day in both treatment facilities begins at 7 am with breakfast followed by meditation at 7:45 am. Physical wellness begins at 8:30 am followed by a behavioral health group at 10 am. A relapse prevention group begins at 11 am followed by lunch and reflection time at 12 pm. Nutrition and wellness group starts at 1 pm and are followed by one-on-one therapy at 2 pm. Expressive therapy begins at 3 pm followed by therapeutic community group at 4. Dinner is from 5 to 6 pm followed by a recovery meeting at 6:30 pm. Recreation and free time begins at 7:30 pm and continues until lights out at 10 pm.
Extras
The gym memberships for these programs are included in the monthly cost. Outside treatments such as physical therapy and massage can be arranged for additional fees. And like all of American Addiction Centers’ programs, a complimentary additional 30 days of treatment is offered to anyone who relapses after successfully completing the 90-day program.
Family programs at both facilities allow families to come in and work with residents during group and individual counseling sessions. For those who cannot make it in person, phone sessions can be done with the primary therapist.
In Summary
While both the Murrieta and San Diego location are not as aesthetically appealing as AAC’s other rehabs, the facilities offer a variety of treatments for an affordable price. For those who are okay with cooking their own meals and aren’t wary of being a smaller part of a large umbrella organization, Forterus could do the trick.
Forterus Location
41640 Corning Pl #104
Murrieta, CA 92562
Forterus Cost
$13,750 (30 days). Reach Forterus by phone at (888) 300-3332. Find Forterus on Facebook
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
