Better Way of Miami Review
Founded in 1983 by a group of men and women who were in recovery, Better Way of Miami is a non-profit substance abuse treatment facility providing inpatient and outpatient care for clients suffering from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. The organization also operates a number of safe and sober living environments for financially challenged and homeless clients in recovery. Better Way of Miami employs a 12-step approach in its endeavors to help individuals stay clean and sober.
Accommodations and Food
The Better Way 60-day inpatient program can house up to 55 clients dorm-style in gender-specific apartments. Each unit includes a kitchen, bathroom and living room. After completing inpatient, clients can move across campus into the Next Step Program for up to four months. This building has a 16-bed capacity. Residents stay here while completing two months of the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), followed by a step down to two months of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
The SRO (single room occupancy) program is an independent sober living environment. Clients reside in a building across from the Better Way of Miami main facility. The converted hotel building has a 36-bed capacity and each client has their own unit. The criteria for admission parallels that of the other programs and clients must participate in outpatient treatment.
All Better Way residents are responsible for their own food. Most clients qualify for food stamp benefits. The kitchens are equipped with basic cooking supplies and utensils and the residents are encouraged to pool their resources and share meals.
Treatment and Staff
During the first two months, Better Way inpatient clients participate in an intensive day treatment schedule between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Utilizing evidence-based approaches, as well as traditional psychotherapy, this includes group and individual therapy, medication management and family therapy. Individual sessions focus on co-occurring disorders, stress, self-esteem and coping skills. Group topics include relapse prevention, assertiveness training, money management, parenting, communication, social skills and healthy relationships. Each evening, transportation is provided to required off-site 12-step meetings.
The Next Step program emphasizes that clients seek employment, attend school or apply for government benefits while working on their recovery. Clients complete sixty days of PHP, which entails 30 hours of treatment per week and five required AA/NA meetings. This is followed by 2 months of IOP which includes 20 hours of weekly treatment. Random drug and alcohol testing is conducted to ensure the safety of all residents. As graduation nears, individuals are assisted with planning aftercare and permanent housing options.
The staff of Better Way includes CADCs, MFTs, LCSWs and a physician who serves as the medical director.
Extras
The Better Way SRA (Sponsor-based Rental Assistance) program assists homeless individuals in recovery. In order to be eligible, clients must be HIV positive and/or having co-occurring disorders.
The Better Way to Live program provides subsidized housing for financially challenged families whose head of the household is in recovery. Clients reside in a housing complex with four two-bedroom apartments.
In Summary
Better Way of Miami has been providing services for over a quarter century and has earned the reputation of being one of South Florida’s most respected recovery agencies. There is no pool or massage therapy, but Better Way offers a full continuum of care allowing financially challenged and homeless clients get a chance at a new life in recovery.
Better Way of Miami Location
800 NW 28th Street
Miami, FL 33217
Better Way of Miami Cost
Sliding scale (30 days). Reach Better Way of Miami by phone at (305) 634-3409 or by email. Find Better Way of Miami on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn
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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.
