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My experience at this facility was deeply disappointing. I arrived expecting a structured, safe space to work on myself, but quickly realized the program lacks the support, consistency, and professionalism that people in recovery genuinely need. The environment itself was ...
About Better Way
Three programs are offered. The residential treatment facility can house up to 55 individuals. The average length of stay is about 60 days. The intensive outpatient program requires you to attend 20 hours of treatment per week. The program duration is three to five months based on meeting individual goals. You will be required to attend individual, group and family therapy sessions.
Once you graduate from the intensive outpatient program, you will attend the outpatient program. This involves treatment three days per week. Once you have graduated from all of your programs, you will be welcomed into the Alumni Association. This association offers ongoing recovery support.
Latest Reviews
Alex Stein
Reviewed on 08/02/2025
My experience at this facility was deeply disappointing. I arrived expecting a structured, safe space to work on myself, but quickly realized the program lacks the support, consistency, and professionalism that people in recovery genuinely need.
The environment itself was unclean and poorly maintained. Basic hygiene items and living conditions felt like afterthoughts. Meals were minimal and repetitive, and it was disheartening to see staff regularly eating before or instead of clients—especially considering clients contribute through benefits intended for food.
Emotional and medical support was inconsistent at best. Mental health concerns often went unaddressed or were met with indifference. Clinical staff were rarely available, and when they were, the interactions felt rushed or surface-level. Requests for medical attention or follow-up often took days or were never addressed at all.
Certain support staff—particularly those at the main desk—were unapproachable and dismissive. Communication was poor, and it often felt like any question or concern was seen as a burden rather than a legitimate need.
While I understand that structure and boundaries are important in any program, there’s a difference between structure and control. Unfortunately, this program seemed more focused on maintaining power over clients than helping them heal.
I genuinely hope changes are made to create an environment where people feel respected, safe, and supported—because as it stands, I cannot recommend this place to anyone seeking real recovery.
Better Way of Miami – A Cautionary Tale of Neglect and Abuse
★☆☆☆☆
Better Way of Miami presents itself as a place of recovery. What it actually is, is a warehouse for human suffering. The neglect, psychological abuse, and systemic dysfunction I witnessed and personally endured inside that building were worse than anything I imagined going in.
The conditions are deplorable. The facility is filthy—infested with roaches, mold-ridden, and falling apart. The bathrooms are unsanitary, the air is thick with mildew, and the mattresses are barely usable. Hygiene items are locked up like luxury goods. Requests for even basic necessities are ignored or met with attitude.
But it’s not just the building that’s broken—it’s the culture. And that culture is cultivated from the top down, by people like Rita and Gatlin.
Rita, who is in charge of overseeing operations, carries herself with an authoritarian, cold, and dismissive demeanor. She doesn’t listen. She doesn’t care. She treats clients not as human beings in need of help, but as burdens who should be grateful to even be there. Her tone is often aggressive, and she creates a climate of fear among both residents and staff who know better than to speak up. Her name is constantly mentioned in hushed tones by clients terrified of being punished, ignored, or expelled for asking for too much—like clean socks or working air conditioning.
Gatlin is no better. His role seems to be one of constant surveillance and intimidation. Rather than providing support or encouragement, he lurks, barks orders, and polices everyone’s movements like a warden in a low-budget prison. He speaks down to people regularly, uses punitive tactics to silence complaints, and actively discourages anyone from advocating for themselves. Under his leadership, staff morale is nonexistent, and the residents suffer the consequences.
Medical care here is a cruel joke. People detox without clinical support. Many are in visible pain or experiencing mental health crises and are either ignored or written off as “manipulative.” It’s a dangerous place for anyone with real medical or psychological needs.
Therapeutic services are hollow. Group sessions are disorganized and offer no real coping strategies or healing. One-on-one counseling is rare, and when it happens, it feels more like an interrogation than support. When clients break down emotionally, they are told to "journal" or "talk to their peers"—as if trauma can be resolved by venting to another suffering person down the hall.
The food is barely edible. The rules change daily. Accountability is one-sided—residents are punished for anything, while staff face zero consequences. And if you speak up, you're retaliated against, labeled noncompliant, or written up until you're forced to choose between staying silent or being thrown out onto the street.
Better Way of Miami does not help people get better. It re-traumatizes them. It silences them. It warehouses them. And people like Rita and Gatlin enable and enforce this system with full knowledge of the harm it causes.
To anyone considering this place for themselves or a loved one—don’t. What’s happening behind those walls is not treatment. It’s slow psychological damage under the guise of structure.
Better Way of Miami? More like “Worse Every Day of Misery.”
Imagine if Guantanamo Bay and a DMV had a baby — and that baby was raised in a Florida swamp, fed a diet of broken promises and expired ramen, then handed a clipboard and put in charge of your mental health. Welcome to Better Way.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by a staff member whose facial expression said, “I died inside in 2003.” They gave me a mattress thinner than my patience and a welcome packet that read like it was written during a psychotic episode by someone who hates reading, writing, and humanity in general.
The Rules:
No phones.
No common sense.
No individuality.
No hope.
If you cry, you’re told to “journal through it” — but they won't give you a pen unless you solve a riddle, pass a drug test, and kiss a laminated picture of the founder.
The Food:
Culinary war crimes. The mashed potatoes had the consistency of insulation foam. Mystery meat was served with a side of depression. And somehow, everything — even the Jell-O — smelled like mildew and missed child support payments.
The Staff:
A volatile cocktail of indifference, burnout, and “I’m only here because my cousin got me the job.” One counselor told me to “manifest my own healing,” then got in her car and screamed at a tree. Another staff member wore Crocs with holes big enough to see their soul escaping.
The Programming:
Each day starts with a “motivational quote” read like a hostage note. Group therapy was mostly one guy oversharing about his ex-wife while a counselor updated her OnlyFans in the corner. The one time I opened up, someone whispered “snitch energy” and passed around a peanut butter sandwich like it was contraband.
The Facilities:
There’s more mold than wall. One toilet actively growls. The air conditioning unit sounds like it’s trying to escape. Every time it rains, someone has to bail out the hallway with a cereal bowl.
The “Better Way” Philosophy:
Step 1: Silence.
Step 2: Obedience.
Step 3: Gaslighting.
Step 4: Make you think you're lucky to be there.
Step 5: Forget Step 4 ever happened, and don’t you dare ask questions.
If Kafka designed a rehab center and hired Joe Exotic as the program director, this would be it. I left the program with more trauma than I came in with, but at least now I can cry on command.
Final Verdict:
Better Way of Miami is the rehab equivalent of a mosquito bite on your soul — itchy, contagious, and festering. If you’re looking for healing, growth, or even basic human decency, walk the other way. In fact, run — preferably barefoot, through glass, straight into traffic. It’ll still hurt less.
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology
7.4 / 10
Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Employee Assistance ProgramPrivate insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Intensive Outpatient
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
Inpatient
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Sober Living Homes
Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.
12-Step
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Partial Hospitalization Program
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.
Aftercare Support
Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in Florida provides quality treatment to help individuals overcome dependency related to a wide range of addictive substances. Programs address both the physical and mental aspects of addiction in order to help you make a full recovery.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Substance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.
When you have a mental health disorder and an addiction, it's known as a co-occurring disorder. Since treating both conditions at the same time is critical, you'll want to seek out a dual diagnosis treatment center. These specialized rehabs offer the care needed to overcome both disorders, which drastically increases your chances of success in long-term recovery. Types of therapies provided tend to include individual and group counseling, relapse prevention education, coping skills training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
HIV/AIDS Program
HIV/AIDS programs support disease prevention and management in high-risk individuals in recovery. Individuals who engage in intravenous drug use and other addictive behaviors are at a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV. Rehab centers that specialize in treating this population typically have a high number of nurses, physicians, and psychiatrists on staff who can make sure both their medical and mental health needs are met.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy meant to be short-term and comprehensive. It was intended to help clients become more self-sufficent and move forward without the need for expensive, ongoing therapy. It includes an emotional self-help method called “rational self-counseling,” the purpose of which is to give clients all the skills needed to handle future emotional issues by themselves, or with significantly less professional help.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Amenities
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Residential Setting
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Ryan Roelans
CEO
Sahika Polatel
CFO
Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 222350
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.
State License: Florida
License Number: SITE-00001307
Contact Information
800 NW 28th street
Miami FL, 33127
Get Help Now - 786-885-0771
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Fact checked and written by:
Jenise Alvarez
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
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