Milestones in Recovery Review
Jay Held, who came from a background in finance, opened Milestones in Recovery when he realized that affordable treatment for eating disorders was essentially non-existent. Since 1999, this Florida rehab just outside Fort Lauderdale has aimed to provide both women and men with an experience that mimics real life. Held believes that those who are recovering from addiction must deal with realistic situations in order to achieve sustainable recovery outside the walls of a treatment center.
Accommodations and Food
The housing at Milestones is set up in a condominium style gated community. Each individual condo consists of two bedrooms and two bathrooms and typically holds four people at a time. When space allows, clients with seniority can have private bedrooms. The condos feature full kitchens and a warm dining room. The spacious living rooms have cozy couches, colorful throw pillows and flat screen televisions.
All group and individual therapy is held at the main facility, just a short walk from the residences. The facility is nicely decorated and has displays of the serenity prayer painted onto the walls. The therapy rooms all have cozy seating and blankets to keep clients warm. The outdoor area of this treatment center is definitely a favorite of clients with benches that provide great views of the community’s giant pond and waterfalls.
The meal plans at Milestones are completely specific to the individual. At the start of treatment, each client sits down to map out a proper meal planned with a licensed nutritionist. Meal plans take into account caloric needs, weight goals, allergies, taste preferences and digestive issues. They are also focused on healthy ingredients and do not include “junk foods” and highly processed ingredients. Once a plan is in place, clients go on a supervised weekly trip to the grocery store, where they can use their allowance to buy the items that fit their plan. All meals are prepared by clients in their kitchens and brought to the center’s dining room to eat. Residents can learn new skills and try out fun recipes in the kitchen through weekly cooking classes.
Treatment and Staff
The 20-bed treatment facility helps both men and women who suffer from eating disorders such as binge eating, anorexia and bulimia. Milestones believes that there are four essential components to successful recovery: spirituality, exercise, rest and meal plans. Clients typically spend 30 to 90 days in treatment, although time may vary depending on the individual. The insistence that residents carry out their real-life duties while in treatment increases the rate of long-term recovery.
The spiritual aspect of recovery is quite eclectic as no one way of thinking is recommended for clients. Rather, residents are exposed to spiritual practices such as meditation and yoga. Daily 12-step groups like Overeaters Anonymous allow clients to define a Higher Power of their own making while connecting with others who suffer from similar issues. The 12-person clinical team is made up of a psychiatrist, registered dietician, licensed therapists and an internal medicine doctor.
Healthy exercise is used to raise endorphins and maintain a healthy body weight. Residents have access to a handful of stationary machines such as treadmills and bikes. Yoga classes are held outdoors when the weather permits. All exercise is done under the guidance of staff and for limited times depending on the client’s health and treatment plan.
A balance between activity and rest is also stressed for clients, who often have a tendency to have high expectations and be perfectionists. Clients spend a few hours per week working with a primary therapist, talking through their particular issues. Group therapy is also held daily with topics such as nutrition, self-esteem, co-dependency, trauma, body image, processing, constructive living and creative arts. Family therapy is done on a case-by-case basis, as family work is not always constructive for every person.
Extras
Spa-like services such as massage and manicures can be arranged for an additional cost. However, outings to restaurants, the movies and bowling are all included in the cost.
In Summary
For those who want to stay somewhat in touch with the real world as they recover from an eating disorder, Milestones provides a good approach to getting well. While the idea of preparing meals may not appeal to all, the combination of glowing reviews from previous clients and reasonably low monthly costs makes this facility seem pretty promising.
Milestones in Recovery Location
2525 Embassy Dr, Ste 10
Cooper City, FL 33026
Milestones in Recovery Cost
$15,000 (30 days). Reach Milestones in Recovery by phone at (954) 874-8838 or by email at mlerner@milestonesprogram.org
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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.
