Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation facilities in Minnesota and California earn medical experts’ and SAMHSA data’s highest marks for 2020
By Jason Langendorf
November 10, 2020One of the most difficult steps a person with substance abuse disorder can take is acknowledging the need for treatment. Right on its heels is knowing where to look for it.
With the recent release of its 2020 list of America’s Best Treatment Centers, Newsweek sought to make the process more impartial and manageable for anyone across the country seeking addiction treatment.
Newsweek partnered with the market research firm Statista Inc. to rank the best addiction treatment facilities within the 20 states that, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), have the highest number of addiction treatment centers.
Over seven decades, we’ve established a brand that people and families across the United States continue to trust. I think that starts with our demonstrated devotion to treating people with dignity and respect, consistently innovating and keeping the focus on positive, long-term recovery outcomes.”—Jeremiah Gardner, director of communications and public affairs, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Among the 20 states analyzed, the top 10% of inpatient/residential and long-term addiction treatment centers were included. The highest-ranked facility in the review was Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s center in Center City, Minn., with a score of 97.1%. The care provider’s facilities in Plymouth (94.8) and St. Paul (86.6) were the state’s next-highest-ranked on the list.
“Over seven decades, we’ve established a brand that people and families across the United States continue to trust,” says Jeremiah Gardner, director of communications and public affairs at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. “I think that starts with our demonstrated devotion to treating people with dignity and respect, consistently innovating and keeping the focus on positive, long-term recovery outcomes.”
California had the highest number of facilities ranked (55) of any state, including top-rated Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage (92.1%) and A Better Life Recovery in Laguna Niguel (91.4%). The only other states with centers receiving scores of 90% or more were Massachusetts (McLean Fernside, Princeton; 93.1%) and Illinois (Gateway Foundation, Springfield; 91%).
“We are constantly looking at ways we can improve our services,” says Mercedes Kent, clinical supervisor of the outpatient department at Gateway’s Springfield facility. “And that may be through therapeutic approaches, through group dynamics, as well as moving into cutting-edge therapies and platforms such as virtual outpatient and virtual therapy. As times change, and as situations change, Gateway continues to evolve to provide our best client experience.”
We are constantly looking at ways we can improve our services…through therapeutic approaches, through group dynamics, as well as moving into cutting-edge therapies and platforms such as virtual outpatient and virtual therapy. As times change, and as situations change, Gateway continues to evolve.”—Mercedes Kent, clinical supervisor of the outpatient department, Gateway’s Springfield, Ill., facility
Statista’s ranking model was based on a recommendation score calculated from a survey of participating medical experts, combined with an accreditation score culled from SAMHSA data. The research firm allows that its rankings “should be considered together with other information about addiction treatment centers or, if possible, accompanied by a visit to the facility” and assures that the “quality of addiction treatment centers that are not included in the list is not disputed.”
While we applaud the continuing effort to elevate outcomes for treatment centers, Treatmentmagazine.com doesn’t officially or tacitly endorse Newsweek’s rankings. The publication’s 2020 list of America’s Best Treatment Centers is one resource among many that those in search of treatment should consult, including our How to Find a Treatment Center Guide.
