First Step Recovery Center, Inc.

Arundel Lodge is a CARF-accredited alcohol and drug rehab. Once known as First Step, their Integrated Substance Use Program offers three levels of outpatient care for different recovery stages. They welcome adults ages 18 and older battling substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. With outpatient rehab you can live at home while tending to daily responsibilities like work, family or school. You’ll find them in Edgewater, Maryland.

They provide intensive outpatient, standard outpatient and early intervention services to meet you where you are in recovery. You'll benefit from a personalized treatment plan with group, individual and family counseling along with optional medication assisted treatment (MAT) and discharge planning.

One thing I admire about their program is they provide same day access to care. You can walk in Mondays through Fridays and receive a thorough assessment to determine the best level of care for you.

If outpatient is a good fit then you can immediately start the intake process. I love this approach because a lot of reluctance can be involved in seeking treatment. If you're ready to take that first step then they're there to accept you with open arms.

Something else I noticed about them that was fantastic was their dedication to accessible as well as culturally competent care. Their staff consists of interpreters fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) to serve people who are deaf or hard of hearing. You can also participate in services in Spanish and they can make arrangements for interpreters in other languages depending on your needs.

Some clients who previously attended their programs had mixed feelings about their time spent there. Many mentioned issues with communication as well as unprofessional staff and high employee turnover. Some who enjoyed their services appreciated short wait times and care that helped them achieve recovery.