The location of MPI is in an moldy old most abandoned hospital. Why would you stay here when your insurance is accepted at premium luxury detox facilities now days? The staff if grossly incompetent and typically under medicate clients due to their lack of knowledge. Avoid at all costs. read more

i Felt like I was in the military being brain washed with A.A. being drilled into me all day long. The same wording over and over and the same group A.A. Discussions the kind that go on in circles again all day long. There were a lot of mind game, good cop bad cop tactics from the counselors and the head of the program. It seemed very 1970's yesteryear where your being psychologically broken down and feeling like your just a low life drunk or drug addict and not a human being wanting help, counseling, support, positive feedback, respect, and caring. Instead of feeling psychologically beat up it would of been helpful with working out ones real particular issues and ask why your an addict, educate, and how to work with it so you can live the rest of your life with the tools to do so. Needs less militant atmosphere and more uplifting, positive, caring and loving treatment, and again much more real positive reinforcement That builds self esteem and self love with I can do anything I put my mind to attitude. A winner. read more

I found there treatment very helpful! Really friendly staff and they make you feel that they truly care. My counselor Darvin is very knowledgeable and you can feel that he really cares about helping you. But also has enjoyable funny side that's makes it more comfortable to open up. If you need help I highly suggest giving MPI a chance. read more

This treatment center/program is absolutely fantastic. I recently did a two-week stay. The first day or two I was pretty anxious, but I warmed up to the staff and schedule very quickly. I interacted with every nurse and counselor on staff, and to a person they were friendly, intelligent, helpful, and very knowledgeable in what they do. Dr. Kaymen is incredible. Very friendly and intelligent, and he speaks to patients like the adults they are, which some providers struggle to do. MPI is the last hospital-based program of it's type in NorCal, and I hope they keep doing what they do for as long as they can, you really can't beat what they offer. Honestly, my feelings (and the feelings of almost every other patient I spoke to while there) -- stay as long as your insurance or your pocket can cover. If you can do the full 28-day stay, DO IT! As far as efficacy, that comes down to the individual. You get out what you put in, you have to want a recovered life. But if you do, this place and its staff will give you every possible tool to do so. read more

I was at my lowest in my addiction. I thought that I was going to die because I didn't know what was wrong with me and MPI save my life. That doesn't mean that I won't have trials and really hard times. But now I have tools and I know I'm not the only one who thought that there was something wrong with me. I found a new family that understands my addiction and will give me support when I need the most. If you are at the point that you addiction is controlling your life then you need MPI. It would be the choice that will give you back the control of your life. Your family is worth it and you are worth it. read more

Text Exchange between me and my daughter this morning: Me: 13 years ago today, you assisted your Mother in getting me checked into MPI so that I could start my road back to sober living. With the grace of God, I have not had a drop since then. But, more than anything, I wanted to reach out and tell you that I love you and I appreciate you very much. Her reply: I still have the 6-month coin that you gave to me. I am so proud of you and I appreciate you pa. Love you My reply: You are amazing. Tears are flowing on this end and I love you so much. After reading the reviews on yelp, maybe this review will give someone hope that it can work and in the same breath, maybe it will give MPI a wakeup call that they can always improve. Regardless, thank you MPI for saving my life. read more

This place completely changed my life. They run a top notch program and the highly attentive staff see to all your needs with no problems. Doctor Kayman is extremely knowledgeable about the brain and the counseling staff is amazing as well, always offering a listening ear and great advice to help any problems that may arise while in treatment. I would like to personally thank counselors Burt, Sharon and Angus for helping me so much while I was there and needed support. Thank you MPI for everything you do! read more

If you are looking at this review, you likely have a problem with alcohol or drugs or know someone with a problem. I can tell you as someone who spent 30 days in-patient there, that this is a great place to get clean and stay clean. Here is how I rate the place: Facilities 4 stars Nurses 5 stars Doctors 5 stars Counselors 5 stars Food 3 stars Rooms 4 stars Program 5 stars Aftercare 5 stars It is not the Betty Ford Center. It is not a prison. It is a wonderful environment to achieve sobriety. Does not work for everyone. Don't waste your time if you are not committed to being clean and sober. It will take effort. It will be hard. It will be worth it. read more

Reader's. Imagine If I wrote a negative review about an Oakland Ca. restaurant, that in the fine print, say's "MPI" Bistro, does not allow negative reviews! Yelp, what is your true purpose? Only allow pretty pictures? My review was deleted? Yelp? Reviews? What's you purpose? Yelp you let an hospital institution delete daily, ever day negative reviews? You do not do not allow that for restaurant's? My yelp concern, IS, a loved one's treatment on admission in a "MPI" rehab program, IRS, DMV' by check program.... No smiles or TLC... Stay away!!! read more

If you're looking for a stressful and dirty environment and a chance of being overdosed, you've found the right place. According to one of MPI's very unprofessional nurses, management is no longer allowing unused vacation or sick time to be cashed out or rolled into another year. Employees must use or lose their time before year's end. Consequently, at any given point, half of the staff is out on vacation and replaced by what she termed "fly by night" incompetent temps. Because of the constant shifts in staff, there is extremely poor continuity of care. Connect with a counselor and two days later, he or she is replaced with a brittle and bossy fill-in. I attended MPI for detox services only, but during my seven days there, I encountered inept nurses with control issues who refused to share vitals with clients or medicate them on time. Several of the nurses there backstabbed each other and the counselors repeatedly in front of clients. It was unprofessional at best and toxic to clients at worst. My first three days in detox were uncomfortable but okay. This is most likely because I arrived just before the weekend. As soon as Monday arrived, someone repeatedly opened my door while I was resting, shook some kind of rattle and then violently slammed my door. Talk about passive-aggressive behavior. I can see perhaps doing this while a client refuses to participate during residential treatment, but not detox. Even when you're sick and unable to keep your eyes open during detox, counselors expect you up to participate from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm. All the while, the nursing staff tells you that's not true, that it's okay to stay in bed while detoxing. This is a sugar-free facility, which is ironic given that AA's "Living Sober" text suggests SUGAR as a way to combat alcohol cravings. Meals were fair, but palatable snacks were lacking. Even though the kitchen didn't supply enough food for all clients, nurses would swoop in and fill their plates high for a freebie at mealtime. Clients are not allowed to bring in snacks or food from outside, yet some counselors say it's okay to buy candy during off-campus excursions to CVS. CVS? Are you kidding me? This is the LAST place I'd want to go while in treatment! Clients returned with bags of candy (that nurses would immediately toss in the trash) and complained of feeling unnerved by shoppers in line with copious amounts of alcohol. The detox rooms were filthy. When I arrived, I discovered mucous on the walls and on my "clean" sheets. In addition, the sheets are far too short for the beds there. A particular client left his feces-ridden towels strewn about a shared shower for others to move. He also refused to pick up after himself everywhere he went. While the nursing staff knew this was happening, nothing was done to effectively address the issue. Perhaps the worst part of my stay there related to a medical mistake whereby I was given an overdose of phenobarbital. I ended up being taken by ambulance to Oakland Kaiser ED--barely conscious and struggling to breathe. My husband spoke to Dr. Kayman (MPI's psychiatrist who'd just returned from vacation when I arrived). Dr. Kayman realized he had miscalculated my detox meds during intake. This led to HIS error in overprescribing phenobarbital for my detox. Yet, even after a drug screen ruled out my involvement, I was treated like a culprit throughout the remainder of my stay. The door slamming became more violent while I was recovering from being overdosed by Kayman. MPI may have been great in the past, but this place currently has too many burned out nurses and "fly by night" counselors to offset its ghetto taste and feel. read more

I found out I lost 2nd friend I made at MPI to addiction. They were both in MPI more than once. Needless to say, MPI is costly and is NOT effective. read more

MPI has changed my life for the better. I went in Nov 2 2020 and never looked back. Dr Kayman knows his stuff and all the nurses, Leah Ann, Kathy k, Abby, dayna, and the counselors Char and Odell. Char was a tough cookie and I loved that. I really needed that for my recovery. They are there for you and will tell you what you don't want to hear lol. I would recommend this place to everyone. Now I'm happy to say we have a MPI alumni meeting that I put together and it's a hit :) read more

No time for long review. So, I'll just say, it works. For some, no. Rehab revolves. Continued recovery will require continued intention and effort. But, MPI met my needs for thoughtfulness, adequate comfort and food, caring, low-dgma-level, and consistency between the diverse staff/counseling/medical folk. And, among the many folks that had experienced one or several 'other' rehab approaches and "places", they almost unanimously expressed that MPI was superior. Not the food, the privacy, the beds, the showers, the laundry, the view, or such - though all that is between okay and good -- it's the people -- and their gentle, firm, humorous, and consistent approach. There is no time like now. And likely, no better than MPI. read more

I am the spouse of a recovering alcoholic. My husband was an in-patient for 2 weeks and then did 2 weeks of evening treatment. He now goes to the Thursday evening after-care meeting. I felt compelled to write a review because of the many negative reviews. The only negative aspect of MPI is that the building is pretty old and one does get the feeling of being locked inside, especially on a beautiful sunny day. Let's just say it's not what I picture the Betty Ford clinic to be! BUT! My husband had been an alcoholic for many years and he had been in outpatient treatment and AA for many years. He also saw a psychiatrist for many years, often twice a week. But it wasn't until he went to MPI that he started really believing that he had a problem and he is now working very hard on his recovery. He talks highly of the counselors and really appreciated all the other patients. Something about this program really made a huge difference. As a family member, I love that they have an ongoing weekly family therapy group that is open to family members over 13, free of charge (!!!!!) and incredibly helpful. I've been attending this group for about 6 to 8 weeks and have come to absolutely cherish my time there. It is so helpful to learn about what to expect from the recovery process. Why is your spouse so irritable, aggressive and irascible? It's just a normal phase called PAWS, short for post acute withdrawal syndrome! Somehow that makes it easier to stomach. Yes, there are many people who relapse. But that seems to be par for the course, unfortunately. At least MPI gives you some education, some tools, some insight into how to proceed. They do warn everyone that it isn't easy. MPI has been a life-saver for my husband and our family. read more

This place is an oasis of help for addicts and their families. My son has been heavily self-medicating with drugs and alcohol for at least 8 years, but I had always looked at his addictions as a symptom, not as a main issue to prioritize. However, seeing the person I love return to himself in the course of his 28 days in the MPI in-patient program has changed my perspective. It seems you've got to tackle the addiction before you can really do anything else. I don't mean to suggest that MPI wrought miracles. Recovery seems to be a slow, painstaking process for most people, including my son (and there are no guarantees). But the staff at MPI is so grounded, perceptive, realistic, and kind that they can make a significant difference. They have been responsive to my son's individual needs and seem to really see him and get him. They have helped me and our family understand what's going on and helped us cope. Having tried to get mental health services from Kaiser for many years, I was surprised by the level of care and expertise at MPI. The family therapy and services, under the direction of Joyce Gidel, are especially good. She runs a Thursday night group for the families of patients and former patients that is free and quite helpful, and seems several steps up from typical Al Anon. Terry Arnold, the program director, is tough as steel (behind a courtly manner) and he really knows the terrain. He was particularly insightful and attentive about the specifics of my son's situation, as was the psychiatrist in residence, Joshua Kayman. The staff works very well as a team. This is a diverse, down-to-earth place that knows what it's doing. I wish they had other modalities besides 12 Step (getting a meditation teacher in several times a week would be helpful, as would scheduled, rather than optional, exercise, and better food). But on the other hand, MPI has found 12 Step effective, and they know how to work with it. MPI's top priority seems to be to bring a strong focus to bear on each patient, and in the end, I'm just fine with that. I deeply appreciate their work and wholeheartedly recommend them. read more

If you're looking for a stressful and dirty environment and a chance of being overdosed, you've found the right place. According to one of MPI's very unprofessional nurses, management is no longer allowing unused vacation or sick time to be cashed out or rolled into another year. Employees must use or lose their time before year's end. Consequently, at any given point, half of the staff is out on vacation and replaced by what she termed "fly by night" incompetent staff. Because of the constant shifts in staff, there is extremely poor continuity of care. Connect with a counselor and two days later, he or she is replaced with a brittle and bossy fill-in. I attended MPI for detox services only, but during my seven days there I encountered inept nurses with control issues who refused to share vitals with clients or medicate them on time. Several of the nurses there backstabbed each other and the counselors repeatedly in front of clients. It was unprofessional at least and toxic to clients at worst. My first three days in detox were uncomfortable but okay. This is most likely because I arrived just before the weekend. As soon as Monday arrived, someone repeatedly opened my door while I was resting, shook some kind of rattle and then violently slammed my door. Talk about passive-aggressive behavior. I can see doing this while a client remains in bed during residential treatment, but not detox. Even when you are sick and unable to keep your eyes open during detox, counselors expect you to participate from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm. All the while, the nursing staff tells you that's not true; that it's okay to stay in bed while detoxing. This is a sugar-free facility, which is ironic given that AA's "Staying Sober" text suggests SUGAR as a way to combat alcohol cravings. Meals were fair, but palatable snacks were lacking. Clients are not allowed to bring in snacks or food from outside, yet some counselors say it's okay to buy candy during the once-a-week trip to CVS. CVS? Are you kidding me? This is the LAST place I would want to go while in treatment! Clients returned with bags of candy that ended up in the trash and complained of feeling unnerved by shoppers in line with large amounts of alcohol. The detox rooms were filthy. When I arrived, I found mucous on the walls and on my "clean" sheets. In addition, the sheets are far too short for the beds there. A particular client left his feces-ridden towels strewn about the shared shower for others to deal with. He also refused to pick up after himself everywhere he went. While the nursing staff knew this was happening, nothing was done to address the issue. Perhaps the worst part of my stay there related to a medical mistake whereby I was given an overdose of phenobarbital. I ended up being taken by ambulance to Oakland Kaiser ED--barely conscious and struggling to breathe. My husband spoke to Dr. Kayman (MPI's psychiatrist who had just returned from vacation when I arrived). Dr. Kayman realized he had written down the wrong information gathered during my intake. This led to HIS error in overprescribing phenobarbital for my detox. Yet, even after a drug screen ruled out my involvement, I was treated accordingly throughout the remainder of my stay. The door slamming became louder and more violent while I was recovering from being overdosed by Kayman. MPI may have been great in the past, but this place currently has too many burned out nurses and "fly by night" counselors to offset its ghetto taste and feel. read more

I believe that MPI helped save my moms life. She was in and out of the ER for months because she could not stop drinking. She was no longer eating or moving (muscles were atrophying) so I honestly believe she was going to die from her addiction. Kaisers chemical dependency program referred her to MPI, and I am grateful for that referral every day since. The staff here is incredible. Antonia, Joyce, and Odell are our personal heroes and angels. Dr Kayman is also phenomenal. He recalibrated all of my moms medications and she is BETTER than before she started battling her addiction - best she has felt in decades - what a blessing! My mom is still in her recovery months after leaving MPI and I feel like I got my mom back, and a second chance at life together. I hear that kaiser ended their relationship with MPI which is a damn shame. My mom still keeps in touch with her MPI alumni and truly enjoyed her stay there. If you are a loved one of someone with addiction, please take advantage of all MPI offers. I am profoundly thankful for this place. read more

Where do I start? A family member went here at our suggestion recently. This program has some incredible ideas. However, their staff is divided at best. My family member was refused prescribed meds for a very serious medical condition which caused a problem yet they give EVERYONE sleeping medication. They are very quick to want to medicate everyone here instead of allowing the detox and seeing what is needed. The doctor who oversees all meds etc was unwilling to call the specialist who cares for my relative and wanted to change medications which take months to taper off of even thought he will not be seeing the patient after the rehab is over. And the family member's doctor asked for a call from the doctor. Their are two family counselors one who likes to pat them self on the back about all the time in "recovery" from their co dependency and one who is in recovery from addiction and LIVES a life of true recovery. The first is extremely disconnected and truly failed my relative in the family meeting. They did not talk to them first which meant that they could not say things that could have unburdened them. I am deeply saddened that this opportunity was in many ways wasted. I get that the person has a choice to stay clean and sober. Yet this 28 days would have been a great time to get deep and make changes from within that would give them a great advantage. The one thing that is completely unacceptable about this program is that they say "Relapse is a part of recovery"! They actually believe that the clients will relapse. Now, we are a family in recovery so I get that people relapse. But to tell people it is expected??????? NO your job is to give the clients every advantage available. I will tell you... I could go run those groups and teach these "trained professionals" some valuable tools to be present for the clients. MPI is a huge failure and again.. that saddens me so. They have a captive audience. And one more thing while I am here. The family members personal counselor spent way too much time suggesting diagnosis which she is not qualified to make. She also talked openly about my family member to us in the open where other families could hear. We were told not to speak to them so her talking to us was completely unsolicited and shocking. She needs some appropriate boundaries and to do the job which she is hired and qualified to do. She holds very fragile people in her care and that seems to be taken for granted by her. I would like to urge Terry, the director, to clean that place up and take control of the loose cannons. Lives, many of them, depend on it. I gave this business a 1 because I could not post my review without it. read more

A variety of types of people among their staff, all experienced and capable; a variety of patients and problems. Food OK. Gym. You can't bring electronics or books--they want you to read their materials, which are useful. Stay as little as 5 days or as long as 28. They will help you find longer-term places if necessary. They were very understanding that I am an atheist and don't submit to "higher powers". They worked out the fee with my insurance and it cost me nothing. I recommend this place heartily. read more

i cant say enough good about mpi... great experience thru the worst time of my life. they litereally saved me from my addiction and gave me the tools to continue to work toward my sobriety. thank you, thank you, thank you!!! lori d. read more

I'm a 24 year old name is Sam ketron I was brought up in Benicia by a good middle class family I could of had anything but turned to drugs at 13 by 24 I was using meth heroine zanex and my favorite oxycotin went here not knowing what to expect but got more than I bargain for. MPI really saved my life I highly suggest anyone you love that is suffering from addiction of drugs or alcohol to consider this place and when they finish transition them into a SLE. The staff and counselors and Your peers are fucking amazing and truly care about you. I have a whole new life thanks to recovery and MPI read more

I found the staff to be incredibly kind and compassionate, including all of the nurses, the counselors and Dr. Kayman. I really needed help, and to feel safe, and I got the help I needed and I did feel safe. I was really surprised to see the negative reviews. My experience was entirely positive. It wasn't easy. It wasn't comfortable. But it's not supposed to be. Detox is hard. It was helpful for me to have the structure of meetings and groups and lectures throughout the day. When I needed reassurance and encouragement, the staff was there for me. I have another chance, and I have my life back, thanks to MPI. read more

It works if you work it.... So work it because your worth it! Is the motto at MPI and they really care to help you if you want help creating a "new normal" for your life. The on going meetings for self, family and friends has been amazing support and a wealth of great continuing education. read more

If you think science and common-sense have no place in addiction treatment, then MPI is for you. Although current research demonstrates that individually-tailored approaches are vastly more effective, nearly all of the MPI "counselors" are AA "two-hatters" who cajole and pressure patients into AA irrespective of the patients best interest.. MPI is an AA shill-mill. Ask for their "success rate" and-just like AA-MPI will not give you an answer. Why? Because-again like AA-it's probably in the neighborhood of 5%. There are much better MEDICALLY/SCIENCE-based options like Kaiser CDRP, where a variety of approaches are available. read more

I took my son here for medical detox for opiates. He was trying to detox at home and wanted some medical help. The intake person turned us away because my son did not seem motivated and did not make enough eye contact with him! What hospital turns away a person asking for help? It was like a job interview. My son was not belligerent or saying he did not want to be there. He was there to seek help for detox and was sent away because he did not seem eager enough!! Shame on you Alta Bates and MPI. What person in the middle of opiate withdrawal is up for an interview? Help first, interview later. read more

I went to MPI trying to get help for my alcoholism. I had no idea at the time that I was so sick because I was detoxing from Alcohol. I was scared to death to go into treatment. The people at MPI made me feel so welcome and that there was hope. They helped me detox by giving me medicine and helping me be more comfortable. I spent 6 days in detox and learned so much about the disease of alcoholism. Here I am 9 months later still sober and don't plan on drinking. I highly reccomend MPI for people trying to get sober and their families to learn more about the disease. MPI saved my life! read more

The best rehab facility in the Bay Area! It's hard admitting you have an alcohol or drug addiction, and they provide the best care to get you back to your new life. I appreciate the staff for all their caring and support. I did the inpatient and evening outpatient. It's so worth it. read more