Lakeside Miliam Recovery Centers

Kirkland, Washington | See other Washington rehab reviews

10322 NE 132nd St
Kirkland, Washington 98034

Lakeside-Miliam Recovery Centers have a range of services for people addicted to drugs and alcohol. They have many outpatient services as well as an inpatient facility for adults (Kirkland) and adolescents (Burien).

Lakeside-Miliam also offers intervention services if you are trying to get helped for a loved one.

Interviews from Oxford, Liz, Raquel, Babs, FriendofBills, Eric
Why did you choose this facility?
Oxford: I was there in 2006 because I tried to stop on my own and went into bad withdrawls and ended up in Swedish Detox. They suggested Lakeside. I did the 28 days, got out and didn't follow suggestions and started again. I liked the staff, how I was treated, and thier look on addiction, so returned in 2007 when I decided I would do anything not to use or drink again. I also knew that Lakeside is big on getting people into Oxford and I wanted that. (Oxfords are independently run sober house's. www.oxfordhouse.org )
Liz: Doctor's referal. Reputaion.
Raquel: A nurse at Swedish Hosptitals medical detox unit suggested it.
Babs: My daughter was in intensive care because of alcohol poisoning, and a rep from lakeside came to visit her. They had a bed open so she went right from the hospital to Lakside.
FriendofBills: reputation and price.
Ericka: it was one i hadnt been to yet

Tell us about the experience - was it positive or negative?
Oxford: Very positive. Gave me time to think and clear my head. They have a minor detox (Librium) in the first few days to help ease you with withdrawls. They focas on recovery, what got you to treatment and what to do to continue a life clean/sober. The grounds are nice, food is edible and the staff eagar to help those that are there to be helped. I had very few "run in's" with other patients. Just people haveing bad days and if your cool they cool off and everything is fine. Didn't like the idea of three to a room and six to a bathroom but after a few days your use to it. And those that behave and are really trying can ask to be moved to the annex after a week. It's a couple of cottages on the grounds with easier restrictions and nicer accomadations.
Liz: Very positive. Careing staff. They take care of everything to get in. call and say you need help and they handle it all. Even lining up air and transportation for out of state people. Edible food. Different meal plan every day of your stay and plenty of it. Plus snacks mid-day and before bed. Good detox unit; not a medical detox by any means but have on staff nurse's to administer Librium so you don't have to cold turkey. Hook you up with another patient the first day so your not alone in the whole process. Do the best they can to room people together that get along. Help with getting you into clean & sober living (Oxford House's)if needed.
Raquel: Positive. Clean, friendly/well informed staff. Well organized. Have group therapy, outside AA/NA/CA meetings, lots of information on addiction in general. Best part is they have follow up care included in the price. So after your 28 days your not just released. You have a support system in place of going to group once a week.
Babs: It was better than her going home from the hospital, and she did have to confront the consequences of her use of alcohol, but she felt that 21 days would have been more helpful than 28 days. She felt that she had learned everything she was going to learn and that the extra time there started to have diminishing returns.
FriendofBills: positive.
Ericka: HORRIBLE! its like a total hospital setting and there is like 120 people there so you dont get the one on one attention you really need

Do you feel the program was successful?
Oxford: They give you everything you need. It's up to you to take what they give you and apply it. The give you a lot of information that seems useless but after some time you realize it is all very important. It wasn't successful for me the first time because I didn't follow directions. I gave in the second time and gave thier way a shot and I got everything they promised. They introduced me to people in 12 step programs and found me a room in an Oxford house (sober living) which was a huge reason I made it my first 90 days. The program works but only if you give in and do what they suggest.
Liz: Very. They get you to outside meetings to begin getting involved with 12-step programs. Two group sessions per day as well as lecture's educating you on addiction. Total focas on recovery. Lots of breaks but little time to "think". They keep you tuned into why you are there.
Raquel: Like most I've seen. If you don't stop useing, it wasn't the program that wasn't successful, it was you not doing the program. Leaving there you have a pretty good knowlegde of addiction and of the 12-step program. They have programs to help your loved ones personally and how they can support you. They offer you help in finding safe houseing, programs in your area, they give follow up care for 6 months.... They give you everything you need to be successful...
Babs: She slipped a few times when she got out. It was everytime she went to an AA meeting. She went straight to the liquor store. She could not relate to people twice her age talking about losing homes, families and jobs. I don't think she was mentally capable of relating. She found out she had adult ADD, was placed on medication, her school grades improved and she has not drank for almost 2 years. I do not feel that the current rehab structure works for people under 35. I think they sometimes need very strong aversion therapy to get the message. The tenets of AA are great and work for many people, but I think young people can only grasp some of the ideas gradually as they mature, or also some of the beliefs of the 12 steps, they don't agree with. The pleasure centers in their brains are hard to turn off! Maybe some of them need shock therapy, antibuse, or something that makes the drug of choice disgusting. All of the young people she was in rehab with relapsed. Sometimes they all learned better ways to hide drugs or obtain them or learned about a new drug. Treating people under 35 is a challenge and I think more needs to be learned.
FriendofBills: My daughter was 17 when she went in. She responded well to the treatment. When she came out she had one relapse at 6 months and then really applied herself to NA and AA and she now has 7 years clean and sober.
Ericka: no! it was horrible

What advice would you give somebody considering going to this facility?
Oxford: On a recovery aspect, go in totally open minded and humble. Leave the big man attitude and glorification of what you've done outside. No one cares and it won't help you. For the comfort aspect....bring your own pillows and blankets. Carton of smokes, money for your 'bank' and a roll of quarters to keep on you at check in (phone, pop and laundry) since you won't have outside contact for at least a week and you can only access the 'bank' twice a week. Laundry detergent if you care. Theres is industrial stuff. And in the first few days ask to be put in the annex. Free phone/laundry and quite. Less restrictions and space only shared with a handfull of others rather than 120....
Liz: Want to be there. Do what they say even if it doesn't make sense at the time. Totally open up to the group. Don't be afraid to show emotion. Don't lie and most of all do not embelish/brag on what you've done. Yor there to end that life, not glorify it and it doesn't help others or yourself. Be good and respectful and after a week you can be moved from the main building to the cottage's which makes it easier to get thru the 28 days.... Bring your own pillow and comforter. Comfortable clothes for there but some nicer cloths for out side meetings. Try to get your family/friends involved. Visitors help and the family service's they offer is great. The workshops seem to be useless but once out it makes your family/friends feel like they are a part of your recovery and they can better support you.
Raquel: Be open to it. No one judge's you if your truely being honest. Most important, go in be humble. There is no room for an ego in recovery.
Babs: I'm not sure I would recomend that particular facility. There is a rehab in Seattle called Shikshadel ( sp?) It works on the aversion therapy method and I think it has a higher sucess rate, but unfortunately, it's also very expensive, which eliminates alot of people.
FriendofBills: Keep an open mind. Listen to the successful people. Go to 90 meetings in 90 days when you get out and get a solid sponsor with lots of time.
Ericka: dont waste you time/ money! i would reccomend sundown or valley general.