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Summit Achievement

69 Deer Hill Road Fryeburg, ME 04037
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Top 10 Rehab In Fryeburg
Summit Achievement ME 4037

About Summit Achievement

Summit Achievement in Fryeburg, Maine, provides a special program for 13 to 20 year olds who are struggling with substance abuse or experimentation. This licensed and accredited residential treatment center is located in the stunning White Mountains region of Maine. Through the integration of classroom academics, adventure therapy expeditions, and engaging therapy, their approach capitalizes on the therapeutic potential of outdoor activities in conjunction with a structured learning environment.

They focus on five main areas in their program. They arrange adventure therapy expeditions four days a week. This encourages confidence, self-worth and personal accomplishment by halting self defeating behaviors. Three day a week academic classes that employ a blended learning approach allow students to earn transferable credits through a multidisciplinary curriculum tailored to their needs.

In a nurturing residential community, students practice newly learned social skills which facilitates their transition from wilderness experiences to a home like or boarding school setting. Through weekly, individual and group sessions led by mental health professionals with masters degrees, client centered therapy addresses specific treatment concerns. The foundation of their therapeutic approach is daily group processing which guarantees that students interact with their peers in a meaningful way.

Involving the family is essential to the therapeutic process, which emphasizes the student’s return to their family. In addition to attending up to three in person family therapy sessions and helping with treatment planning, parents also attend weekly sessions via video conference or phone.

Each week, students advance through one of six levels in the program which normally lasts six weeks. However, based on specific needs, the duration could go up to eight weeks or longer. Teams of no more than eight students are formed, and each team is assisted by a committed group of mentors who offer guidance, instruction and therapeutic rapport.

As students progress in the program, the emphasis shifts from identifying self defeating behaviors to developing self management and leadership skills. At the end of their journey they are equipped to accept accountability for their choices, deeds and feelings. This guarantees that they depart with useful skills for their future.

Facility Overview

Dollar icon $1660
Avg Cost per Day

Latest Reviews

Tracey Aaron
3 months ago on Google
5
My daughter (age 14) was at Summit Sept-Dec this 2024. It is an excellent program and I highly recommend it!There is a lot of negative press surrounding these types of programs and we were nervous sending our daughter, but I can assure you that this program is amazing and very professionally run.The kids and adults gain incredible insight into their old patterns and behaviors. Ultimately, the kids learn how to navigate old and new relationships, how to move forward and how to make healthy, appropriate choices.The therapist my daughter worked with was incredible and very talented. We met with her once a week as well, so we were kept informed about our daughter's progress. The parent coach that we worked with was also excellent and very professional.This program is unique because it is more of a hybrid program that offers wilderness therapy combined with education, so the children do not fall behind in school.Summit is a top notch program and it provided the reset we all needed!
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to write this thoughtful review. We are grateful to be part of your journey! The Summit Achievement team
Brody Karis
5 months ago on Google
4
As a former student of summit it s a chill place and the expo is fun the only downside for me was therapy because I don t like it at all but overall great experience and would do it again
Leonardo Porter
11 months ago on Google
1
The worst experience of my life. I was sent it for virtually no reason at all vaping when I was 17 and got mentally and physically abused. There where many points in time where we were not allowed to speak for hours while hiking in rain and melting snow. We slept under tarps and ate poorly just to wake up early the next morning and hike for 10 hours. At the end of my hikes my toes would be frost bit and it warm them up I would have to place them on someone s stomach which was honestly the nicest thing that was done for me.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Hello, Leonardo. Thank you for sharing this information with us. We hear you and recognize your courage in speaking about your personal experience. We always strive for improvement and recognize the need to continue to raise the bar in mental health care. Your feedback makes a difference in improving the services we provide and the results we achieve. If you want to connect with us to share more about your experience, please reach out to our co-owner, nichol@summitachievement.com.
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Rehab Score

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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 MethodologyCaret icon
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7.6 / 10

Location

Other Forms of Payment

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

inpatient iconInpatient
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.
12-step icon12-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). For those kinds struggling with drug and alcohol use, they provide opportunities to attend AA meetings in their local community.

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 Maine is the process of helping someone learn how to live without the use of substances. Professional staff provide treatment to address the various issues of addiction. Methods often involve medication, counseling, and evidence-based therapies.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

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.

Programs

young-adult-program thumbnail image
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.

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.

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.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

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. Parents are involved in the treatment planning process and participate in up to three face-to-face, in person family therapy.

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.

Amenities

  • private iconPrivate Setting
  • hiking iconHiking

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Nichol Ernst, LCSW, LADC

Clinical Director, CEO, Owner

Anson McNulty, BA

Executive Director, Owner

Shannon H. Palentchar, BS

Admissions Director

Nate Andrew, BFA

Program Director

Doug Dobkowski, MEd

Academic Director

Monique Britt, BS

Business Manager

Barb Lang, BA

Marketing Director

Mike Deluca, LCSW

Therapist

Accreditations

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

Contact Information

Phone icon (207) 697-2020
Building icon

69 Deer Hill Road
Fryeburg, ME 04037

Fact checked and written by:
Sehar Uddin
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW

Rehab in Cities Near Fryeburg

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Reviews of Summit Achievement

3.6/5 (30 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.6 (30 reviews)
John
2 weeks ago
1

This place was so horrible I have nightmares everyday about this place it should really be shut down DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD DO NOT

Response from the ownerInvalid relative date format:
Hello, John. Thank you for sharing this with us. We hear you and recognize your courage in speaking about your personal experience.<br><br>Your feedback makes a difference in improving the services we provide and the results we achieve. If you want to connect with us to share more about your experience, please reach out to our co-owner, nichol@summitachievement.com.
Tracey Aaron
4 months ago
5

My daughter (age 14) was at Summit Sept-Dec this 2024. It is an excellent program and I highly recommend it! There is a lot of negative press surrounding these types of programs and we were nervous sending our daughter, but I can assure you that this program is amazing and very professionally run. The kids and adults gain incredible insight into their old patterns and behaviors. Ultimately, the kids learn how to navigate old and new relationships, how to move forward and how to make healthy, appropriate choices. The therapist my daughter worked with was incredible and very talented. We met with her once a week as well, so we were kept informed about our daughter's progress. The parent coach that we worked with was also excellent and very professional. This program is unique because it is more of a hybrid program that offers wilderness therapy combined with education, so the children do not fall behind in school. Summit is a top notch program and it provided the reset we all needed!

Response from the ownerInvalid relative date format:
Thank you for taking the time to write this thoughtful review. We are grateful to be part of your journey!<br><br>The Summit Achievement team
sfd as
4 months ago
5

Brody Karis
5 months ago
4

As a former student of summit it’s a chill place and the expo is fun the only downside for me was therapy because I don’t like it at all but overall great experience and would do it again

Leonardo Porter
11 months ago
1

The worst experience of my life. I was sent it for virtually no reason at all ‘vaping’ when I was 17 and got mentally and physically abused. There where many points in time where we were not allowed to speak for hours while hiking in rain and melting snow. We slept under tarps and ate poorly just to wake up early the next morning and hike for 10 hours. At the end of my hikes my toes would be frost bit and it warm them up I would have to place them on someone’s stomach which was honestly the nicest thing that was done for me.

Response from the ownerInvalid relative date format:
Hello, Leonardo. Thank you for sharing this information with us. We hear you and recognize your courage in speaking about your personal experience. <br><br>We always strive for improvement and recognize the need to continue to raise the bar in mental health care. Your feedback makes a difference in improving the services we provide and the results we achieve. If you want to connect with us to share more about your experience, please reach out to our co-owner, nichol@summitachievement.com.
Dylan Stroup
1 year ago
5

Rachel Burstein
1 year ago
1

This is a horrible place that instills fear and horror into young people. It s not okay and should be shut down immediately.

Dan Horgan
1 year ago
5

Great company to work with! Friendly and knowledgeable staff

Hezekiah Benson
1 year ago
5

Robert Mucciolo
1 year ago
5

I finished High School here in 2011. I hated every day I was there. With that said, it worked. A decade later I can now say, well done and thank you.

Marin Ross
1 year ago
1

I went here when I was 15 for about 6 months. I was allowed 1 visit to my family during that time. They don’t give you enough clothing to go hiking so you have to wear dirty clothes again. I wasn’t introduced slowly into hiking daily just told we’re hiking for the next 3 days and most of that was 7+ miles. Everyone on my team would get mad when we didn’t make our goal because I wasn’t able to hike that much. They housed me with a girl I was terrified of because I knew she had a history of violence and had access to broken glass and sharps only because they wouldn’t allow a trans girl to room with someone born female.

Ryan Sapp
1 year ago
1

I was here in 2003 and forced to stay until I graduated the program. We were not allowed to sleep in tents when we were in the woods in December (5 degrees)… We slept under a tarp tied to two trees. We were forced to hike 5-10 miles a day uphill in freezing temperatures. I was 220lbs when I arrived and 170 when I left 5 months later. It’s child abuse.

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