EvergreenHealth Monroe Review
EvergreenHealth Monroe, formerly known as Valley General Hospital, has been providing evidence-based substance abuse services based on the 12 steps since 1973. An affiliate of the EvergreenHealth network, it is located in Monroe, Washington, a town 30 miles northeast of Seattle in the lush Skykomish River valley.
Accommodations and Food
A separate structure on a campus full of hospital and medical complexes, the Recovery Center of EvergreenHealth Monroe occupies a rambling building covered in blue siding that looks like a large house. The facility is co-ed and licensed for 40 beds; there are two twin beds in each room, but the inpatient population is kept to 24, which means it’s possible to have a private room and bathroom—each room has its own private bath—depending on what’s available. Care has been taken here to provide a comfortable stay in a lodge-style atmosphere surrounded by beautiful landscaping.
Food from the hospital cafeteria is served around farmhouse dining tables. Each meal includes an assortment of comfort food. Pasta, meat loaf, pot roast and chicken are common entrees and there is always a salad option at each meal.
Treatment and Staff
Pre-admission evaluations are conducted to determine if the client meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for or chemical dependency. Based on this assessment, the client is assigned to a specific level of care according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s placement criteria. The evaluation takes up to 60 minutes to complete and may involve a drug screen.
Acute medical detox is offered by board certified, hospital-based internal medicine physicians and is overseen by a certified addiction medicine physician and an experienced 24-hour nursing staff. Suboxone is available for opioid dependence and Nalrexone for both alcohol and opioid dependence.
Following detox, a 21-day residential treatment program is offered. Clients work closely with their own families (when possible) and the staff during their time here; co-occurring disorders can be identified and treated from the onset. Individual and group therapy, education classes, 12-step meetings, inspirational speakers, therapeutic assignments, gender groups and exercise groups are part of the weekly schedule. Treatment modalities include the Minnesota Model, the Pennsylvania Model, CBT and relapse prevention.
A typical day begins with wakeup at 6 am. First is breakfast and then three morning groups, with medication, snack and smoke breaks throughout. Three days a week, one of these groups is an exercise class. After lunch, clients have two groups, then an hour to nap from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, followed by a Big Book study. From 4 to 6 pm is free time and dinner. Another educational group and a speaker meeting are held after the meal. There is time for writing assignments, phone calls with sponsors, or filling in applications for Oxford House or other transitional care programs before lights out.
Outpatient services and a day treatment program are also offered at EvergreenHealth Monroe. Day treatment is actually a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), a step down in treatment from the residential unit. Clients get the same services as people in the residential program, staying at the hospital all day and into the evening, but they return home to sleep. The intensive outpatient (IOP) program consists of group sessions that meet three times a week for eight weeks. IOP clients are those that, during the initial assessment, were found not to require overnight supervision. The IOP treatment schedule includes group and individual counseling, addiction education, family programming, 12-step support, therapeutic assignments and alumni activities.
The Recovery Center operates with a multidisciplinary treatment team, including a medical director who is an addictionologist, two chemical dependency professionals, ARNPs, RNs, LPNs, a LMHC, registered dieticians, pharmacists and a pastoral counselor. Staffing is 24/7. Clients are assigned to a primary counselor who works with them throughout their stay. There are two primary counselors for 24 inpatient residents.
Extras
In the residential program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there is a one-hour exercise class led by an instructor, using resistance bands to programmed music. Outdoor walks are also included when weather permits and staff escorts are available. Due to the proximity of the Recovery Center to the hospital, the medical director may approve physical therapy, imaging and laboratory testing, medical care and dietician consultation as part of a client’s program (for an added fee). Another unusual perk for a residential rehab is that MP3 players or iPods are permitted once a client has earned the privilege, though no other personal electronics are allowed.
Weekly family programs take place on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. Clients and family members take part in educational presentations, guided family or group discussions and guest speaker meetings. A family counseling session is held before discharge so clients and their families can discuss recovery plans, concerns, fears and solutions. A sponsor, employer or someone else who is supportive of the patient’s recovery may replace family if necessary.
The aftercare program at EvergreenHealth Monroe is an outpatient treatment program that meets once a week for group therapy and drug testing, providing added support and incentive to stay sober. The monthly monitoring program meets once a month for drug testing and confirmation of attendance for persons who are court-ordered or mandated by an employer to do so.
In Summary
EvergreenHealth Monroe has created a home-style environment on hospital grounds, with hospital staff and research to back it up. The facility is a leader in using medication to improve outcomes, taking into consideration co-occurring mental health and medical conditions. The day program, aftercare support and family involvement also play a significant role in ensuring long-term sobriety. This is a comprehensive and affordable treatment option.
EvergreenHealth Monroe Location
14701 179th Ave SE
Monroe, WA 98272
EvergreenHealth Monroe Cost
$7,232-$10,332 (21 days). Reach EvergreenHealth Monroe by phone at (360) 794-7497. Find Valley EvergreenHealth Monroe 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.
