Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers

I’ve read that this place doesn’t feel that alcohol abuse comes from pain but that it’s just a poor choice. Wow. Just wow.

I came here due to a problem that I had experienced with drinking and I was shocked to discover that the approach applied at this facility is that of complete disrespect to the client. My counselor disregarded all of my concerns and thoughts, insisting that it was always 'my disease talking' and that I had no idea what was best for me. I was pressured to sign up for additional expensive 'aftercare' treatment after I'd already completed the program. I tried to talk to the man in charge, a young inexperienced and unqualified man in his 20s, and was not listened to. I was treated like a child. Also they tried to force me into the 12 step church and whenever I expressed my own opinions was told to basically just shut up and do what I'm told.This was a horrible experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. I was vulnerable and actually left feeling worse about myself.

This place is a joke they act like they are all about helping people but really they only care about there money there staff is very poorly organized and I have seen a number of situations that were not appropriate given the situation at hand. If your seeking help for yourself or a loved one keep looking around there are better options out thereUpdate 11/20/13 the next day after I posted this, the Vice President of Operations Juile M. reached out to me to see the detail of my concerns and if there was anything she could do. That being said She came across very genuine and concerned about my situation at hand. My feelings represent this location and not the corporation as a whole I have never worked with there other locations except for one phone call with the Issaquah location which was very informative.I really appreciate the level of professionalism from Julie and wanted to express that as soon as possible.

I give a lot of credit of my recovery to Lakeside-Milam. I went to inpatient in an all women's facility across town in September 2012 and had an awful experience. When I first got clean, like most addicts, I had a lot of trouble accepting that I was a drug addict. I also was coming to terms of reliving abusive times in my active addiction now that I was sober. I was negative and uncomfortable with myself. The staff at such facility I felt was not supportive and understanding of where I was at with coping with my disease. I started oupatient with that facility after I graduated inpatient and still got the same cold not understanding experience. I decided to enroll in Lakeside's outpatient program in Kirkland and got blessed with an amazing case manager, Cathy S. Cathy was extremely supportive through all of the tough times I went through in early recovery. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and that support helped me grow and stay clean through those tough situations. I will be coming up on 3 years clean this September and am so grateful for the support I got while working with Lakeside. Since I started outpatient in December 2012 I have given back to the facility whether it be bringing 12 step meetings into the facility or being asked to speak with the young adults program. I would definitely recommend anyone to go to this facility.

Whatever you do DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!!! I had a nightmare with these guys. especially the Director at the Seattle Branch. He was more of an enemy than a friend and He's a control freak. All he does is talk about himself. I highly recommend Not using these guys.

I had hit rock bottom and I knew that I couldn't climb out of the hole on my own. I was scared, and withdrawing. I went in to inpatient treatment on October 7, 2015. Walking in the doors of the inpatient center and leaving my husband for what I thought was going to be 30 days was the hardest yet most intelligent decision I have ever made. My insurance only allowed me 2 weeks at inpatient but in those 2 weeks I learned so much about myself, my addiction and how to live a normal healthy life without alcohol. I did a couple of weeks of IOP and I continued to learn more about myself. I am proud to say that I am nearly 13 months sober. It hasn't always been easy, but it has been worth it. My relationship with my husband is stronger. We have found new ways to have fun and enjoy time with each other, that doesn't involve alcohol. My relationship with my dad is even better today than I could have ever imagined. I have grown leaps and bounds in the past year. I learned to let go of things I was holding on to that were making me mentally sick. I learned to live life on life's terms and be ok with it. Yes there are times I am tired of being in control of my life and want to drink just to be out of control, but I know that is the worst decision I could ever make. I know there are other ways to handle those feelings. My husband is nearly 13 months sober as well. We have done this together, as a team. We always lean on each other. In our weak moments we rely on the other person to lift us up and get us through those weak times. I know so many people I was in rehab with that have relapsed and I feel so sad for them. Thank you for helping me get the help I knew I needed. Without you in that moment, at my weakest moment, I don't think I could have made it.

I'll preface this review with full disclosure--everything I report here was also discussed, in-person, with the administrative head of the Kirkland In-patient facility, based on direct interaction with the program.The positive news to report is that the staff counselors and assistants are extremely dedicated to the recovery of their patients, with good hearted joy and energy. In addition, the center is founded on the ground-breaking work of Dr. Milam, who was decades ahead of the treatment community in focusing on the biogenic (disease-based) approach instead of the psychogenic ('it's all in your head') approach. Any center that chooses the latter over the former should be avoided as harmful, even deadly, to the addict (I won't name names, but you might know of other centers that treat addiction as a behavioral issue). Also, their family program is well-developed , and can be an important part of the recovery of the addict.Now the rest of the story. If you choose to enter L-M, or seek to have your family member treated there, be prepared for one of the most frustrating experiences of systematic and chronic administrative mediocrity you will ever encounter. The quality of service is so low that it injects significant jeopardy into the resultant degraded delivery of services related to recovery. There are countless anecdotal incidents that could be used to illustrate this, with the entire staff evidencing no sense of individual empowerment to apply intelligent discretion toward the delivery of high-grade services, thus lowering the actual grade of services delivered. As I frankly stated to the head of the facility, that inevitably must fall on management's shoulders--it always does, and the mind-set always flows from the top down, putting the head person in the cross-hairs of accountability. One result of this is that there is a diminished level of respect afforded the patients, even while accounting for the fact that their brain functions are extremely out-of-balance due to the disease.I am posting this so that you can make an informed decision about what will be the bottom-line experience of dealing with L-M, especially since you will most likely be dealing with plenty of stress and family issues already and the administrative chaos you will encounter will sorely test your resolve at a critical time. My prayers and best wishes go out to you and your family, so never give up and don't write off the addict--they are sick, not evil.

This place saved my LIFE....I drank for twenty eight years, in which I thought was acceptable. Only fo find myself drinking every night to black out, losing my job, my wife of eighteen years, my house and everything I owned.I had nothing left and no hope of beating my addiction to alcohol. I checked myself into Lakeside MIlam to find help. Yes they close off the outside world, put you on a healthy diet, and monitor your detox and start the process of educating you on your disease and showing you how you can live a healthy, normal life without ever feeling the need to self-medicate with alcohol.After 28 days in this facility completely stress free from the outside, I was able to start a new life and contribute to society once again.Two years later I have no desire or thought of ever drinking another drop of alcohol, I have a great job, I have great friends, I'm working out three nights a week, and doing activities that I thought I never had time for.I even took my GMAT and got accepted at Seattle University and am working on my MBA International Business.Yes I go to AA meetings today, but that has become the life I want, I enjoy, I thrive in with all my new sober friends.Lakeside Milam, the staff, the program and aftercare saved my life and has put me on the road of life I wish I had when I was sixteen.

I was in inpatient treatment here and they are amazing, the people that work there especially Katie and Chris were the best and I got so much knowledge and guidance from them to continue my recovery! Thank you so much!

Lakeside- Milam kirkland saved my life! i had to write this review because i couldn't believe the stuff i read on here! I'm convinced the only people that ever write reviews on yelp for anything are only here to complain.. I went to lakeside in January of 2011, I only wanted to stop using heroin and prescription opiates. I quickly became overwhelmed with the knowledge from the wonderful staff and counselors that i realized i needed to abstain from all substances in order to recover and that was my #1 problem trying to stop in the past.. I also checked in to please my fiance at the time and my parents, but after about a week, realized that i wanted it myself! The food, and beds aren't the best. The rules seem a little ridiculous at times ( no caffeine, sugar, music, books, ect.) but they're there for a reason, after all we need a little structure in our lives : ) i'm so glad i went to treatment here, i'd recommend it to anyone or any parents or loved ones considering this option.. I learned so much, and hell i'm still sober today, and for this addict one day clean is a miracle! Thanks lakeside, i'll forever be indebted to you!! - T.E.P.S. You have to WANT recovery, and have the willingness to do whatever it takes.. if you are checking your son in and he doesn't want to stop, of course its not gonna work.. So you can't have magazines, and music, and candy, get over it, your life is worth more than 30 days being less than comfortable.. And if your feeling shitty i promise you it gets better, and you never have to feel this way again!! I PROMISE your life will get dramatically better in every aspect!

This place is about one thing, money. Not recovery. It's mostly a self help based program. You're assigned to a room with a pile of books and a schedule. It's really up to you to run your own program. There is a full day of scheduled activities. It includes lectures, movies (about 20 years old), a small group meeting with a 'counselor' and meals.You're supposed to meet with your couselor regulary. I barely got time with mine once a week and that was rushed and not helpful. The program my counslor gave me was given to me a week after things were due and no instructions on what to do with it.Staff requires you to follow rules but nobody agrees on what the rules are and if you don't follow them they'll tell you they'll extend your stay or terminate you. It was a case of multiple people giving you completely different rules. A LOT of time was spent dealing with people that were sneaking caffeine and sugar.If you ask a staff member for help they generally try to wait for the next shift to start so they don't have to deal with it. Many staff members were angry a lot of the time.This is advertised as a medical facility but the nursing staff is laughable at best. They can't get rid of you fast enough if you go to them for help or required appointments.Nobody in this facility was happy with the program.

I am going to write an ongoing review from the 'outside looking in' as we go through this 28 day program. I'll post periodic updates and hope that everyone will get a better understanding, from a loved ones perspective of what it is like. We dropped off my husband a few days ago. The front desk area is cold, unwelcoming and feels somewhat like a dungeon. The staff we met was lifeless and seemed mostly like they were on sedatives. Check-in was disorganized but even before that I should note that we were never even called and told what time we had to come in despite them telling us that we needed to wait for their call. There is a 72-hr 'blackout' period where the patients cannot talk or see anyone from the outside world due to being in detox. This can be extended if the detox lasts longer than 72hrs.. This is over for us today, thank goodness. I will report back after I talk to him today and see him this weekend.Fast forward a few days, the blackout period and he is able to call but that doesn't mean that you will actually be able to talk to your loved one. You see, they have two pay phones (yes, you pay thousands to be there and they make you use a pay phone) that are in use, in 5-minute increments, consistently throughout the time you are allowed to call. What this means for loved ones is that you actually never be able to get through to your loved one and have to hope they stand in the line a few people deep to call you between lectures/groups.On Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings there are family groups and lectures. On Monday and Wednesday night is is a one hour film or lecture followed by 30 minutes of sitting around and another 1.5 hours of family group. The film or lecture is hit or miss and think it all depends on who is giving the lecture. There are some people who who give the lecture that just spend so much time talking about themselves that people check out. The films are usually from the 1980's which makes you wonder if what they are telling you is even the most up to date research. Really, the research on addiction hasn't changed since 1980? Considering that the VHS videos themselves note that they research has changed (hence, the reason they are doing the video) isn't there reason to believe that the research in the last 30 years has too?The family group on Mon/Wed is also hit or miss and also depends on who is leading it at least half of the time is spent listening the group leader talk about themselves. They go on, and on, and on. I have always stayed for the duration of the talks since it goes late and I live close but many others leave. They also repeat the talks so you go to the same exact lecture more than once. During the family group your loved one is either at AA in-house or off-site.On Saturdays and Sundays you can visit with your loved one from 11:45-3. The schedule says noon but it is really 11:45. Earlier in the morning on Saturday you can do to a communication workshop with your loved ones but kids aren't allowed so if you live far like some people do you might as well forget the communication session if you have kids since there are no child care options. It would make sense if they moved the adults only sessions to the days where everything is adults only but making sense isn't their strong suit.Going back to the facility now that I have been there for the past 3 weekends. It is OLD, which isn't such a bad thing if it at least was built to handle the number of folks in the facility. There are a max of 105 patients there but they don't have 105 beds so they actually 'ask permission' from the patient to have patients sleep on the couch. Yes, the couch! I guess they'd rather not turn away the buck. There is one lady with short brown hair who seems to be totally with it but the other folks I have see are not anyone I'd model myself after. I just don't get it when people who clearly do not take care of themselves try to act as role models to others who need to learn to take care of themselves.One other thing I find funny looking from the outside ion is that they are do big on structure and rules yet they can't follow their own. I've been told they are lax about lectures, 'require' homework to be done yet never even ask or talk about it and lastly, make no effort to progressively restrict less things as the patient gets closer to discharge. There is nothing 'real' about the Lakeside Milam and what could be 'real' they take away so they patient goes straight from this ultra rigid program to little rigidity with no step-down in-between.We'll be released in the next few days which is wonderful. I got a call about discharge a week or so ago and it was weird, all they wanted to do is tell me what time to pick him up and what time his next appointment was. They don't set anything up beyond the first days out whereas I would think they would at least develop a plan for one-week post release but no. Once they are done, they are done. They've got their money.