American Addiction Centers (AAC)
📍 3100 East Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308
📞 8885738498 Full profile & reviews Claim this listing
Reviewers frequently praised the knowledgeable and caring clinical staff, including therapists and counselors, as well as the impactful group therapy sessions and the supportive community of peers. However, many criticized the facility's organization and communication, noting inconsistencies in rules and scheduling. While some appreciated the life-skills aspect of cooking their own meals, others described the housing and food provisions as poor or not matching online representations.
AI-generated summary of 101 reviews collected on rehabs.com and recovery.org through 2023. Not a review or medical advice. Review policy
| Treatment types | Substance Abuse Treatment, Detox Services |
| Program types | Intensive Outpatient |
| Services | Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Services, Dual-Diagnosis Treatment, Detox Services, Outpatient Services |
| Setting | Beach Community |
| Gender | None |
| Age ranges | Adult Age |
| Insurance accepted | Private Insurance |
| Financing | Available |
<p><img src="https://www.rehabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/recovery-first-ft-l-data-visual.png" alt="Smiley face" style="float:left" height="419" width="255" hspace="10"> </p> <p><em>Fig. 1 - Rehabs.com surveyed over 26 thousand alumni, their loved ones, and staff of treatment facilities to reveal how addiction treatment recipients feel about the quality of care they receive. Respondents associated with Recovery First, Ft. Lauderdale East report, on average, superior ratings for aspects of care such as the cleanliness of the facility, the quality of Recovery First, Ft. Lauderdale East's holistic treatment offerings in comparison to its competitors, and the likelihood that they would recommend Recovery First, Ft. Lauderdale East to a loved one in need of treatment.</em></p> <p><br></br></p> <p><br></br></p> <p><br></br></p> <p><br></br></p> <p><center><strong>ABOUT RECOVERY FIRST, FORT LAUDERDALE</strong></center></p> <p>Located in the coastal community of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in South Florida, Recovery First of Fort Lauderdale is a treatment center for adults struggling with <strong>substance use disorder and <a href="http://www.recovery.org/topics/dual-diagnosis-recovery/" target="_blank">dual diagnosis</a>.</strong> The center offers several levels of <strong>outpatient treatment</strong>, including <strong>ambulatory (i.e. outpatient) detox</strong> — positioning the center among the <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">11.7 percent</a> of Florida-based rehabs that offer outpatient detox.</p> <p>Recovery First of Fort Lauderdale is twinned with another <a href="https://www.rehabs.com/listings/recovery-first-treatment-center-hollywood-2516173006/" target="_blank">Recovery First facility in Hollywood, Fla</a>. Both centers are owned by American Addiction Centers, a major network of rehab facilities and owner of Rehabs.com.</p> <p><strong>TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT</strong></p> <p>American Addiction Centers <strong>recommends 90 days of treatment,</strong> to ensure a solid grounding in recovery by the program's end. Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation conducted by a multidisciplinary team, which is used to design the client's program, treatment goals and needs, and preliminary <a href="http://www.recovery.org/topics/extended-recovery-programs/" target="_blank">aftercare</a> requirements.</p> <p>Recovery First in Fort Lauderdale (and other American Addiction Centers facilities) use individualized programming built around <strong>12-step participation</strong> and integrated treatment for addiction and any co-occurring disorders. The network uses a proprietary curriculum called "Embracing Change: Recovery for Life," which helps clients to develop coping skills, learn about addiction, and address any contributing mental health concerns. </p> <p>Therapy is provided in individual and group settings, and <strong>families are invited to attend monthly sessions,</strong> helping loved ones understand their role in both addiction and recovery. The facility also offers a <strong>specialized track for military personnel</strong>, and clients enjoy gym access while in treatment.</p> <p>Recovery First in Fort Lauderdale offers outpatient detox, a <strong>partial hospitalization program (PHP,</strong> offered at just <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">24.6 percent</a> of Florida-based facilities), and an <strong>intensive outpatient program (IOP)</strong> which meets for three evenings a week.</p> <p>Per American Addiction Centers' brand promise, clients who successfully complete 90 days of treatment, but subsequently relapse, are invited to <strong>return for 30 days of treatment, free of charge.</strong></p> <p><strong>STAFF CREDENTIALS</strong></p> <p>Across the Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale locations, the treatment team at Recovery First includes <strong>physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses,</strong> counselors, behavioral health technicians, and support staff. Recovery First is CARF-accredited and by the Joint Commission. The 11 individuals polled by Rehabs.com to date praised the aptitude of staff. </p> <blockquote> <p>Staff Experience and Training: 4.4/5</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>WHAT ALUMNI SAY</strong></p> <p>The more than three dozen alumni reviews submitted to Rehabs.com generally appreciated the facility, <strong>repeatedly reporting that the facility saved their lives,</strong> often after numerous failed attempts at sobriety elsewhere. Many reviewers attributed their success to the center's group therapy and <strong>caring counseling staff.</strong> </p> <p>However, some reviews featured some recurring complaints, notably that the facility could be understaffed. "Strengths: The groups, the therapists, the staff, the facility as a whole had many strengths. Weaknesses: Understaffed," Brittney wrote in one representative review. "Staff was a good, leisure, outings need to improve," Joshua added in another typical comment. </p> <p>However, the 12 alumni polled on the facility's performance in a variety of areas gave mostly positive feedback, highlighting the facility's programming.</p> <blockquote> <p>Counseling Options: 4.5/5<br /> Family Participation: 3.9/5<br /> Holistic Offerings: 3.6/5</p> </blockquote> <p>Recovery First of Fort Lauderdale also has <strong>mostly positive feedback on secondary sites</strong> at the time of this writing, with average ratings of 4.5 stars based on 12 reviews on Google and 4.1 stars based on 16 opinions on Facebook (where the facility can manage its own page), plus a single ("not recommended") one-star rating from an alum on Yelp.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></small> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></small> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a></small> </p> <p>The reviewers <strong>repeatedly praised the center's staff</strong>, group therapy, and holistic activities, such as yoga and morning meditation. "Recovery First saved my life. Without their staff and their groups and teachers that led the group's I don't think I would be where I am today. Thank you Recovery First!!!" Allie wrote in a representative review on Facebook.</p> <p><strong>WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY</strong></p> <p>The single loved one polled by Rehabs.com to date gave very positive feedback. "My son has been to 4 other treatment facilities. This one was located in a good neighborhood and had senior staff that understood what everyone from the addict to the family was going through," Sharon wrote, giving the facility four stars for its treatment effectiveness.</p> <p><strong>FINANCING</strong></p> <p>Recovery First is among the <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/FL17.pdf" target="_blank">69.3 percent</a> of Florida-based facilities that <strong>accept private health insurance.</strong> The center also provides a free insurance-verification service. Self-payment is accepted, and Recovery First offers a payment plan, for those clients who need it. The 12 individuals polled by Rehabs.com to date on the center's affordability gave mixed feedback.</p> <blockquote> <p>Affordability: 3.2/5</p> </blockquote> <p><small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.google.com/search?ei=TGtCXKKAHeqL0wL9nYW4Cg&q=recovery+first+fort+lauderdale+3100+east+commercial+boulevard&oq=recovery+first+fort+lauderdale+3100+east+commercial+boulevard&gs_l=psy-ab.3..33i22i29i30.144101.149593..149660...0.0..0.122.2701.27j3......0....1..gws-wiz.......0j0i22i30j33i299j33i10.iaZIQTsVxrw#lrd=0x88d90383e4d255b1:0x52fa1cdaa69fb402,1,,," target="_blank">GoogleReviews</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/RecoveryFirstFL/reviews/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pg/RecoveryFirstFL/reviews/?ref=page_internal</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/recovery-first-fort-lauderdale-east-fort-lauderdale-2?osq=Recovery+First" target="_blank">https://www.yelp.com/biz/recovery-first-fort-lauderdale-east-fort-lauderdale-2?osq=Recovery+First</a></small></p>
— Ellie Robins · 2019-01-25 08:20:57 PST
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