The best car wash in Berkeley is in the parking lot of the Lutheran Church of the Cross by Options Recovery Services! Every Saturday, the good folks there ready to wash and detail your ride. A full service car wash includes inside vacuum, mats washed, tires treated, and very friendly service. Really wonderful service! It's only $15. But do tip generously. They are a fine group of people helping themselves and each other. * The car wash is located on 1744 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703 (between Grant St. & McGee Ave.) read more

This place is a joke. First of all, it took me 2 weeks to be seen, when I explained everything in detail to the questions asked of me to my insurance. They then transferred me to Options and I repeated everything again on the phone . When I finally had my intake appt, I filled out paperwork, repeating everything for the third time. They knew I was prescribed certain medication from my psychiatrist . I have PTSD and have been through a few traumatic things but I wanted help ASAP. I was there for alcohol and needed treatment. After literally four and a half hours of filling out the paperwork, at the last minute after waiting for her to enter back into the room 4 times (she had to ask her superiors if certain things were ok about me ??? ) she came back and said I couldn't do the program. WHY couldn't you tell me that before ??? WHY would you waste everyone's time? It literally took EVERYTHING in me to not go off and make a scene in there. I'm literally being denied from a REHAB when I'm there to get help after everything was good with my insurance. This place is extremely uptight and pretentious and will not take you if you have any mental health issues regarding needed certain medications for other things. No wonder you see people on the streets talking to themselves!!! This shit makes me cry and is a disgrace to people that actually need help!! Please tell me what kind of person has addiction issues, that cares about their mental health, that DOESN'T have any type of prescribed medication that would make them test positive in a test!! Ativan, adderall, etc when only TAKEN AS NEEDED or taken In EMERGENCIES!!!?? They knew this and still tried to take me in. Also they gave me shit about taking 2 days off 3 weeks into it when I said I needed to visit my family because the schedule was M-F for 2 hours a day. As if someone couldn't have ANY other life like if someone died or if I had menstrual cramps or was sick or something'. Super uptight strict weirdo behavior, seemed to be concerned about when I started drinking caffeine or smoking nicotine, for example, when all of that is perfectly fine with all the employees. Very judgey. At the end of the day I'm very hurt and angry with my overall experience. No empathy and no help. Good luck to anyone that actually tries. They won't help. read more

I will be forever grateful to Options Recovery for saving my mothers life by helping her through her recovery journey not once but twice. Options offers sober living homes where a person in recovery can live up to two years during and after treatment. Thank you read more

I'm a client in the outpatient group and I am very grateful that they offer the quality recovery services they do. Most of the other clients I have encountered have also been in Options Sober Living Environment housing. I'd say 70% of inpatient clients are happy with the housing, others have various frustrations, but group living is always a challenge. ALL the clients I've encountered are grateful for a sober safe haven where they can access like inclined peers. I recommend Options for continuing sobriety services, and for offering circumstances that are favourable for newly recovering folks to network and heal... read more

I can't vouch for the actual substance abuse recovery services provided by Options, but I can tell you that they run a damn fine carwash. Now normally, I like to roll in to the $3 automatic carwash further down University for the cheap clean factor. But if you have a few extra bucks and a few extra minutes, the folks at Options put on a good old-fashioned carwash every Saturday at Church of the Cross on University - just look for the sandwich board signs directing you. For $10, I get the outside washed - included the tires shined! For $15, you get the inside washed too. Now you might be timid letting a recently-released-from-jail/prison recovering addict near the interior of your car, and yes, I did feel totally guilty as i eyeballed everyone through my sunglasses. But everyone was polite, helpful, and to my knowledge, trustworthy and approachable and they did a great job cleaning up my car and i wouldn't hesitate to return again soon! Plus, you get to meet some Berkeley characters while you wait in the folding chairs nearby. It's a great way to support a local community group and clean up your ride at the same time. besides, touchless charges too much and never manages to get all of the bugs off of the windshield. read more

I heard about this from a friend a few years ago and it is absolutely wonderful. Took my car there again today. When these good people were finished, my car sparkled inside and out, every inch of it, every nook and cranny. Hand done, with love. I think about 9 people worked on my car all together, but it could have been more: one person hosed it down to start; three others hand-washed it; then three more came with soft cloths to really get everything all perfect; then two ladies came to soft-cloth the inside, including every bit of the door jambs; one guy was in charge of cleaning the chrome on the inside; two more guys did the tire cleaning; and another guy handled the vacuuming. And the whole time, there were other people walking around to all the cars, inspecting the work. That's right, inspecting the work. Part of being in recovery and turning your life around is things like honoring your commitments, being responsible, and making your best effort at everything, including doing your assigned job at the car wash perfectly. So, there are people to check and make sure that is happening. They are fast too. They have comfortable places to sit while you wait, there's great music going, interesting people to meet, and watching your car be washed is a show in itself. Most often, I wish I could just hang around and not do the 17 Saturday errands we all have to do. This is much more fun. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful people. I have never had anyone work so hard on my car or clean it so well. They all deserve the best success in life. So! Your car looks great. You feel great too for helping such a good cause. And a bargain for $15, though of course you are welcome to give them a bit more if you can. read more

This is not about the car wash, which I have no doubt is superior because it is staffed by male clients who are trying to better themselves. Most of the counselors, interns and support staff at Options mean well, try hard and are truly caring. Shawna, Angela, Kim, Greg, Daryll, Dr Coady, and many others are all first rate folks. When I came to the program I was indigent in all facets of my life. My addiction to substances had cost me everything I had. To the aforementioned staff and other clients I will be forever grateful for caring about me enough to gain a sense of direction and self worth. I have recently crossed paths with others who are in the same circumstances I experienced, and I gave them the contact information for the program. On the down side, there are some staff members that foster a toxic, unsafe environment that is not always conducive to recovery. Personally, I can say that feeling unsafe in my surroundings can be a hindrance to my progress. A house manager, Lashandra, comes off as arrogant, rude and disrespectful. She seems to be unclear about the basic standards of confidentiality and professional behavior. One's individual situation frequently becomes common knowledge amongst other clients at other houses and in the program community. She has been witnessed talking unfavorably about clients/residents to other clients. She also has been witnessed mentioning staff members (who are superior in rank) in a detrimental manner. She was recently put on staff as a counselor. Pam, the housing director presents in a cold and condescending manner that conveys a message of indifference towards you and your well-being. A previous review of Options mentioned overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions. I agree. Infestations, yes...there are ants everywhere, sometimes bedbugs. Maintenance issues that effect resident's health and safety go neglected for months. Serious issues with residents that common sense would indicate the need for immediate interventions by staff can result in a passing of the buck. There is a serious lack of communication and accountability......residents are kept in the dark about who to call for what issue. Rules seem to be invented on the spur of the moment so one is often unsure about the outcome of a variety of situations. Of common knowledge is an attempted sexual assault in one of the residences last year that resulted in a lack of action on the part of the staff. This incident cost the program a major, lucrative contract with the Department of Justice. Despite what is publicized, "intensive case management" is a non-entity. I know one person who has a serious dual diagnosis. After 3 months in, they had yet to be seen in the program's mental health clinic. Some clients in the program seem to evade consequences for destructive behaviors while others may experience those that are serious for more minor infractions. In general, the program and housing has a chaotic and unstable atmosphere that can make it difficult for one to focus on their recovery. Of course, one is responsible for their own recovery and sobriety and many things are what you make of them, but Options would benefit greatly from a strong leader, consistency and more cohesion for the benefit of the clients. read more

Words can not express the way I feel today. 13 months ago I had no clue that I would be where I'm at today. I could only think of the next drink. Today it's the farthest thing from my mind. The program is AMAZING! It's exactly what I needed. I came to this program only thinking I would dry out and and get my head on straight. Little did I know the journey I just embarked on. I thought I would just be here a couple months or so and leave. Today the journey is all about building upon the foundation I've built for myself here. It's about learning, listening and developing new skills and a new relationship with my addiction and my pains so I have a better life. which I never had been able to do before. I believe strongly that if you can get through your denials then you have a really great chance to get through your recovery one day at a time. It is now 13 months later and I am still here in the program and being of service everyday. I have built a solid foundation and now building my life atop that foundation. That foundation is my sobriety. Thanks to Founder, Director, all the staff, house mates, my support and my sponsor, I have and I am learning to live one day at a time. There is so much positive to say about this program. I am grateful and thankful. Today I am in a wonderful place in my life. Thank you Options Recovery Services. read more

Im currently in the program. i am in phase 1 , the first day i did not like it i wanted to leave. But i sticked it out because im required to attend, they have a circle and then exercise and then do a group. it goes by pretty fast and there are cool girls that go too . I like ms. Ruthie but shes retiring at the end of june ;( im going to miss her. read more

Options is an extremely valuable resource for our community. I appreciate what they do so much. They are really making a difference in people's lives. read more

Best car wash in Berkeley, without question. Please support these wonderful folks.

The car wash is amazing, the program is good, but the housing is awful. I have a few friends there in cramped living conditions and infestations that the management refuses to deal with. It is not sanitary, and not conducive to recovery. read more

You know what, it's really nice to have your car washed by people who actually care. These guys are friendly and thorough. My car was sparkling inside and out. read more

This car wash is fabulous! It's a joy to see the workers giving your car such careful attention, and they're so friendly and good-natured that it's fun to watch. Your car is immaculate afterward. I never want to get my car washed anywhere else. $15 is an incredible deal for all that labor and the excellent results, but if you can, tip generously to support Options. read more

this place is full of people that want to help you, it is a lot different than the last program I went to with there own SLE's and attending there 3 hour a day 5 day a week intensive outpatient program I was able to get on my feet and restart my life with there job assistance affordable living and helpful staff read more