Positive Sobriety Institute Alcohol & Drug Rehab Chicago

andy h

4.5 Stars UPDATE 2.5 years later I look back at my time at PSI as incredibly meaningful and fruitful. I am not a day counter, but just for fun I calculated: today I'm 962 days free from opioid addiction. I am not sure I would have been this successful if I had ended up at a program that was 12 step based. The many psychological approaches to facing addiction (and life) - CBT, REBT, mindfulness, etc. - were presented really well and have stayed with me. I have read extensively on addiction since seeking treatment. I do not feel I had or have a truly chronic neurobehavioral disease in the way NIH researchers (or perhaps even many at PSI ) would suggest. My experience is that addiction was a terrible cycle I was trapped in. I went and got it treated. I am cured. I do not wake up thinking "I hope I can make it today without turning to opioids". I have taken opioids (or any substance) out from my list of coping mechanisms. It's not an option. It was a destructive, false coping strategy. Could I end up going down a path to dependence on something again? Yes. So I am mindful and purposeful about dealing with stress. Check out Marc Lewis's "The Biology of Desire"; Erica Spiegelman "Rewired"; Maia Szalavitz's "Unbroken Brain". I would recommend PSI to anyone, and especially high achievers, healthcare providers, thinkers. ~ I am a health care professional who spent ~8 weeks at PSI in 2019 for opioid dependence/abuse. My experience there was very good in most every way. -felt welcomed by the empathetic staff & therapists. -no loss of phone, computer, etc. -nice offices/environment. -nice living situation - right across the street w/amazing city & lake views from above the 50th floor. -relieved to find the group overall was "good people", and in particular had several other health care providers and professionals. -medical and psychological support for early sobriety was very good. -Chicago offers many, many options for recovery meetings (SMART recovery, Life Ring, Recovery Dharma, Atheist & Agnostic AA, etc. in addition to the plethora of typical 12 step AA/NA). -Good Eats; it's Chicago! I suggest having your professional and personal crisis during warm weather so you can fully enjoy Chicago. Best of luck. Criticisms: ~The focus has to be on our overall sobriety & sanity, but some of us face complex professional issues at a time when we are essentially in shock, and often not fully aware of the big picture. I think they would serve us better if they made sure we were connected to a source of legal information and advice very soon after arriving. ~PSI commonly suggests a follow up visit 3-6 months after discharge. It was a major exercise in persistence to get through to someone there who would return my calls & emails. Not cool. Overall, I consider myself VERY fortunate to have found PSI!

Bob Jones MD

I can best describe this program as weak and lacking in direction. There is no discernable coherence to their methods which left me feeling lost in the shuffle. Family week was somewhat of a disaster with squabbling spouses: this was not therapeutic to myself and I'd venture to others too. There is no end to the obvious and shameless financial bilking that PSI does to its physician clients. Lastly, PSI's "expert medical director" went medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico back in the 70's when such programs not only lacked prestige but were often highly suspect. Overall PSI is unimpressive, ineffective and excessively expensive. It is quite odd that, in an ostensibly professional situation, the medical director's wife and son also run the program. Seems 'bush-league'...because it is.

Sara Smith MD

This rehab program did not serve my partner well in any way at all. I could go on and on about PSI's deficiencies. But to spare you that I'll just advise looking at rehab programs that are not run by an incompetent, greedy husband/wife/son team. My partner went to another program which was comprehensive, compassionate and effective and... its been working! Best of luck !

perry mason

It's frustrating for me to read reviews from disgruntled patients, so I will counter. Been a part of Positive Sobriety Institute for over two years now, and they gave me back my life and the lives of countless doctors and individuals. This program truly cares and treated me with dignity and expertise.