Treatment Rehab & Detox Clinics: Share your experiences

[Jabberwocky]

I tend to generally agree that most people who work at methadone clinics only are able to work there because ORT/MAT is such a signified field of medicine that they have a very limited pool of applicants. I have a feeling it is worse in the South than here though. While they might now always have the best beside manners, the vast majority of people I've meet at a number of difference West coast clinics are very professional and helpful, especially considering the shit that many have to deal with daily.

That said, most prescribing doctors at clinics are complete and utter ASSHOLEs who like to play bad cop whenever possible. The PAs who write for them though have been amazing IME (I'd always make sure to schedule every doctor's appointment at the clinic with the PA whenever possible).

Something I have noticed is that pretty much all the staff will start treating your poorly or well depending on how well you're sticking to the program. Which IMO is beyond highly unethical. It's bad fucking business sense, but considering their patients don't have many other options, they can easily get away with it. I always tried to look at it from their point of view, but that can be tough sometimes.

 

[aihfl]

Outpatient (PHP and IOP) Treatment
Name: NewBridge Recovery
Location: Winter Park, Florida
Cost: $3k/month, accepts insurance

I was enrolled at an IOP here in 2014, and I was considering reenrolling after a relapse. If 12 step recovery does not work for you (as in my case), this is not the facility for you. You are force fed 12 step and required to attend four 12 step meetings per week on top of the 10 hour commitment of the IOP. Drug screens are administered at random, and even if you are prescribed benzodiazepines, having them turn up in your drug screen will result in dismissal from the program. Although the staff has almost completely turned over since 2014, their treatment zeitgeist sounds unchanged. When I attended in 2014, the therapist, Patricia Wolfenden, was extremely unprofessional, discussing the particulars of my case with another IOP patient, thus violating HIPAA. The arrangement with the staff physician, William Leach MD, was also unusual in that while his office was at New Bridge, and you were expected to see him, he billed separately, and he did not accept insurance and only accepted self-pay. A quick Google search revealed why, as Dr. Leach has been sanctioned by the Florida Medical Board multiple times. You can read articles from the St. Petersburg Times and South Florida Sun-Sentinel about Dr. Leach's misconduct here:

http://www.sptimes.com/News/020301/State/Doctor_who_dropped_pa.shtml
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/19...505_1_chelation-medical-license-medical-board.

Ms. Wolfenden and Dr. Leach are no longer associated with NewBridge Recovery, however, the staff presently there continues to believe that the recovery experience is monolithic and can only be achieved via 12 step, and is extremely closed minded when it comes to other treatment models, harm reduction, and even medication.

 

[Nocturne83]

I went to state-funded rehab in Massachusetts this past year. Over here, that consists of several stages: detox, CSS(clinical stabilization services), TSS(transitional support services), and halfway/three-quarter/sober house.
First, I went to a detox center where just about everyone was bitching about their med dosages(typically, they were never enough, although mine was fine). The food was sometimes good, but I have several texture issues that make eating in public a nightmare, so I knew the food would be an issue no matter where I go. I was there for about five days.
After detox, I was sent to the CSS, which is a 2-4 week program, depending on your insurance. It's basically the actual rehab, with all the groups back to back. Our movement was very restricted there. From 7 am until 9 pm, you could not be in your room, except for a 90-minute "quiet time" break you got after lunch. And even when it was finally 9:00, you still had to wait until you had taken your meds before you could go to bed, so you could be waiting until almost 10 to finally get to lie down. This could be very unpleasant if you were still detoxing(and many people were) and just wanted to lie down. During the day, you were in back-to-back groups. Men had to sit on one side of the room, while the women had to sit on the other. We also were not allowed to leave the dining area until everyone was finished eating.
I stayed there for 2 weeks and then moved on to the TSS. This is basically a holding facility where you stay while waiting for a bed to open up at a halfway house. The detox and CSS were co-ed, but the TSS was a women's facility. The men's TSS is one town over. There are less groups and more free time, but that sadly allows for a lot of drama to happen. I kept myself sane by reading lots of books I'd brought with me from home, and listening to a lot of music. CD players, radios and mp3 players are allowed there, and I made sure I was plugged into my music. There were public AA meetings in the basement of the facility 4x a week, although I didn't go to many of them(they were optional), as I don't believe in the 12-steps. Every Sunday, staff would bring us to Walmart, and most of the women would load up on snacks. As I mentioned above, I have food issues, so I would buy ingredients for sandwiches, instant rice, canned pasta, protein shakes, etc. so that I could opt out of the disgusting hospital food they served. They had a Smart TV with Netflix and YouTube, so we often binge-watched shows like Shameless and Orange Is The New Black. There was also an outside meeting that all the women would go to except for me, so I'd get to stay behind and have the TV all to myself. I stayed there for 51 days waiting for a place to open up. Some women have been there as many as three months.
None of these facilities allow smoking, as tobacco is practically against the law in Massachusetts. Every mall, college campus and hospital I see is "tobacco free", and these places are no exception. Thankfully, I have no desire to smoke while sober(although I'm a chain-smoker when I'm shooting up). Sadly, a lot of people end up breaking the rules by sneaking cigarettes and getting thrown out. The TSS would at least let people smoke during the Walmart trips, and during the outside meetings(which is why everyone would go to those meetings except me).
While detox is obviously crucial towards getting clean, and halfway houses provide a safe environment for you to get your life and your head together, I feel like CSS and TSS are just going through the motions. I especially dislike the lack of knowledge the staff have of other programs other than the 12-steps, such as Refuge Recovery and Smart Recovery. Many staff didn't even know what those were until I told them. Having been force-fed AA and NA during my time in treatment, I now have the goal of becoming a SMART Recovery facilitator, and trying to bring meetings into these facilities. I'm still in contact with staff from the TSS, and they seem eager to have me come in and do "SMART commitments" once I'm certified. The 12-steps have too much of a monopoly over most rehab centers, and I want to see clients being presented with other options.
I'm currently living in a sober house, and all in all, I'm pretty happy. I'm working, saving money, and 5 months clean. I just feel like most of my treatment up until this point consisted of me going through the motions and jumping through hoops. It's not the first time I've been in treatment, and I feel as though the more times I'm in treatment, the less I get from the groups, as I've already heard it all before.
Still, it was worth it to get to where I am now, so I guess that's something. I'd just like to see things improve, which is why I want to help in the way I mentioned above.

 

[aihfl]

Name: The Recovery Village; Orlando Recovery Center
Location: Recovery Village - Umatilla, Florida; Orlando Recovery - Orlando, Florida
Price: Cheap to affordable depending on your insurance situation

The Recovery Village and Orlando Recovery Center are both part of the same parent company, Advanced Recovery Systems. This company also operates treatment centers in Colorado, Washington State, and Ohio. ARS is completely mercenary. They do not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Someone must be getting extremely rich off this enterprise, given that much of the therapy staff also moonlight in the corrections system (which makes you wonder about their compensation) and the quality of care delivered is woefully substandard.

I have been taken to both facilities for detox. At The Recovery Village, it was determined that I was too ill to be detoxed in their facility, so I was shipped off to an out-of-network hospital, which sent me a $30,000 bill. I was told I could return after my hospital stay, but The Recovery Village wouldn't admit me, saying the hospital told them I was unable to take care of myself, even though my discharge papers said otherwise, and I was encouraged to return to the out-of-network hospital.

At Orlando Recovery, I declined to stay after a week of detox. I never saw a psychiatrist (or anyone with a MD or DO degree for that matter) in the week I was there. I spoke with a friend who stayed for four weeks and she said she never saw a physician of any kind as well. I was seen by three different nurse practitioners, of which the first two were clueless. I was having difficulty sleeping and they continued to order trazodone and mirtazapine, even after I told them that I had been taking both for years and they no longer sedated me at all. The third at least ordered quetiapine, so I was able to sleep after that. The third also expressed concern about my blood pressure and lipid levels and I told them that I was on lisinopril and simvastatin, that they were aware of that on intake, but no one had bothered ordering it. On my next-to-last day there, he ordered both, even after I told him there was no point because I had an ample supply at both at home, with refills remaining. They also neglected to send me home with my remaining gabapentin. I was unaware of this until I dropped off a gabapentin prescription (this was on Jan. 31st) at a Walgreens, and was told that I would be unable to fill it until Feb. 22, since it had been ordered by the treatment center the week before. I left multiple message for the nursing director and none of my calls were ever returned and I finally had to go back in person to get my leftover gabapentin.

Though there were two televisions in the common areas, there was no way to use them because the remote control for one was missing, and the remote control for the other was broken, so no Netflix during down times. Most of the other patients were young, immature, loud, obnoxious and not serious about recovery. Enforcement of rules is nonexistent and the techs turned a blind eye to people screwing like rabbits. The outside world is pretty much cut off, as you are not allowed any phone calls the first three days and are limited to three calls per week after that. A fourth phone call is dangled in front of you as a "reward" if you go to all your groups. There is no internet, so forget trying to conduct business, pay your bills, etc. while you are there. The unit is extremely cold, and I was told I had the coldest room on the unit. I would sleep in my clothes under three blankets and would still wake up with my teeth chattering. The only positive thing I can say is the beds had real mattresses, so at least the beds were comfortable. The food is one step above inedible. Two particularly memorable meals were chicken alfredo and pork chops. The meat was so dry and tough it could have been used as a weapon. While you are in detox, you are not allowed any exercise. I was not allowed to go to yoga, which took place on the residential side, and was not allowed to go to the gym and the only time you are allowed outside is to go smoke. Nice to know they are focused on getting you healthy

I've been in places that were arguably less comfortable, but run much more competently from a medical standpoint. Do not be taken in by their slick sales pitches. Run, don't walk, away from any Advanced Recovery Systems facilities.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Name: Bayberry
Location: Various sites in the West Midlands, UK
Price- expensive, Bayberry Meadows- ?16-18k per 28 days (different rooms have different prices, en suite being most expensive)
Bayberry cottages - ?5-10k per 28 days

Summary- I spent 5 weeks at Bayberry Meadows for primary care and 4 weeks at Bayberry Cottages for secondary care. I was the only person in for crack and heroin, they mostly deal with alcoholics who haven’t lost their jobs yet, funded via their employers BUPA, hence the 28 day program (this is as long as private insurers will cover). I think they should have been up front with me that a 28 day program was not going to suffice for someone as far gone as me. Luckily neither me nor my parents were stupid enough to expect that 28 days would be enough. Groups are small, between 2-6 people, with an average of 3-4. So, there is nowhere to hide. The therapists are leagues above any NHS therapists I’ve ever had. You have between 4 and 6 hours of group therapy every day except Saturdays. They arrange it so you can leave the site every day, either for fitness or to 12 step groups. Rooms are single occupancy with mostly shared bathrooms, between a maximum of 3. Phone and computer are taken for the first week, then limited to 1 hour per day at set hours. They will be flexible if you need to sort out housing etc.

They claim to run a personalised program but they don’t really. One person was in for OCD not addiction and was given the same program as everyone else. That said, this place saved my life. Some of the support staff in particular were excellent, as were the therapists. The frontline staff make it work, despite not because of, the management. The programs at both sites do at least try to be holistic, and try to go deep into why you’re an addict, not give you a sticking plaster. A lot of my complaints could have been resolved by simple communication between staff and more honesty on initial contact, which i put down to a training issue, not mis selling.

I think its probably the best care you can get for their stock in trade, alcoholics who are relatively early on given where these things can take you. Its probably not far off the best available in the UK for any other addiction problem. The program sounds better than that of their more famous and more expensive competitor, the Priory and there were people in there who’d been to the Priory, relapsed, then went to Bayberry, and said Bayberry was better.


Bayberry Meadows. Differs from Bayberry cottages in that you have a chef, more support staff, and are supposed to get more than 1 to 1s. I had to fight for more one to ones, It took threatening to sue them because I had actually written down that there were more 1 to 1s at the meadows when I came to look round for them to give me extra 1-1s. So I paid ?7k extra for 2 extra 1 to 1s and a chef. They said 1 to 1 therapy was timetabled on a needs basis. It was fucking obvious I needed a lot of 1 to 1 therapy so that’s bullshit. I also had to ask repeatedly to get an STD test despite telling them I’d prostituted myself without protection. At a facility at this price (or any!) point this is unacceptable, but I simply think they aren’t used to treating people like me. I also had to ask over and over again to get a psychiatric assessment, despite some people getting it the day they entered. They say they do trauma therapy but I got it by luck, if I hadn’t have done my life story with the specialised trauma therapist, who then fought to have me for 1 to 1s, i wouldn’t have had this therapy, and I believe it was vital to me having a chance at staying clean. Before that I’d had 1 to 1s with two different therapists and if I wasn’t lucky enough to be so utterly fucked up I wouldn’t have had continuity in my 1 to 1 therapist for the rest of my stay, so the 1 to 1 time would have been useless. For groups, you usually get 3 different therapists a week, there is some inconsistency, but each therapist brings their own insights and perspective so I was glad for the variation. The chef is good. The rooms are nice though there are some minor maintenance issues. The setting is lovely.

Bayberry Cottages- I was in a better state when I got here, got extra one to ones without asking, even though they weren’t advertised, because there were only 2 of us for my first 2 weeks. So again, by luck rather than design. The secondary care plan they developed specifically for me was great for easing me back into life. Overall, I felt that the head therapist here genuinely put more effort into a personalised program. We had the same therapists every day here. You cook for yourself here, every lunch and 3 nights per week. The chefs sit down and help you plan meals and have lots of easy ideas for people with no experience cooking. They were short staffed and at time there was no evidence of support staff on the site, but it is next door to their very expensive facility, so support staff can be accessed in case of emergency.

I’ve stayed clean since I left Bayberry. I could have gone somewhere that was ?10k for 3 months, with 30 per group and no 1 to 1s, but it would have been a complete waste of money. I do feel that the staff really try, they don’t just take your money and phone it in once you’re there.

 

[hotfriesmmm]

Jaywalker Lodge
Location: USA Carbondale CO
Price: Expensive, 6mo six figures
Review:
My experience at Jaywalker Lodge was incredible. At the time I was facing upto 8 to 32 years in prison. Jaywalker worked with my attorneys to get my six figure bond vacated and they immediately sent someone to pick me up while I was in an alcoholic drug induced psychosis. Jaywalker is a 12 step based program. Admittingly I am not completely bought into AA/NA. It is also a mountain based program where three days of the week, you mountain bike, hike, golf or go snowboarding/skiing during the winter (Aspen/Snowmass). They also take you on a trip every six weeks to Moab. They have a 5 star chef who used to work at Ritz Carlton Aspen who Cooks incredible food 6 days of the week. The staff at Jaywalker is nothing short of amazing. They truly do care about every client in the program and go above and beyond to tailor your treatment experience to your needs. If you need to focus on trauma therapy they are first class. The program is not cheap, they do accept some insurance policies (many people pay out of pocket. Clients ages range from 18-60 yrs old (men only) almost everyone is from an affluent background. Many people come to Jaywalker after many failed treatment attempts and chronic relapses. One thing that sets Jaywalker apart from other treatment centers is their alumni program. Every wed. alumni who live in the area get together have dinner and a meeting. They also pay for alumni trips about every couple months. Many clients stay and live in Carbondale after their treatment. There are about 100 alumni who live in the area and have been clean for anywhere from 6mo to 14 years clean. If your a male and you can afford the pricey admission. I highly recommend JaYWALKER. They will also grant scholarships through A Way out Foundation. However they are few and far between and I would imagine it would be discouraging if you could not afford to live in Carbondale after your treatment. Carbondale is located about 30 miles outside of Aspen to give you an idea of the type of community it is. The area is filled with highly athletic mountain sport enthusiasts. So if your into that kind of stuff, this is your place. The Lodge is a 100 day commitment. After the Lodge is a program called solutions, it is a transitional program where you have group three times a week, and many clients either work or go to school the rest of the week. After Solutions you can enter sober living out patient for up to six months. Another cool thing about the program is it is an open campus. They trust the clients to live a life outside treatment and your free to roam around carbondale and you get a credit card with $75 a week for cigs, vape food or whatever. Yes the program is expensive but my experience is they are not in it for the money. The owner Bobby Ferguson was a crack head who turned his life around and believes in a life of recovery. If you have any questions or are thinking about entering treatment and you're interested in Jaywalker please feel free to shoot me a message.

 

[cj]

Six figures. That's crazy. You where there and I respect your opinion but charging six figures and not being in it for the money are hard to logically reconcile. But I'm glad it worked for you.

 

[rahul33]

i want to share about the rehabilitation center in india which i had recently visited due to my alcohol addiction. this place was cost effective and i had a great experience. this place is in bhopal India and it cost me less than 800$ for two months stay... which covers all room+therapies+food+medicines. you can find details on web @ www.shrigksdeaddiction.org.

 

[Stargazer]

Do they give you comfort meds? Can you please elaborate on your experience there?

Thanks for sharing this. It's very fustrating to need and want help and not be able to receive it.

 

[Aporia]

Step2
Location: Reno Nv
Price: 5k/ month but it's a non-profit so if you don't have private insurance it's free
ALL WOMAN FACILITY
Review:
This place is amazing. It is a long term program with average residential treatment lasting 3-4 months. Pregnant women and those with children under 1yo *you can have your baby with you in residential* are given priority. 20 beds, 2/room. After residential you can opt to stay on campus in their transitional living 1-3bedroom cottages (with your children) and be in the iop program. You can live there up to a year. First two months rent are free and then is very cheap after *
($500/ month for a three bedroom).

Non AA based treatment model. While in residential you attend 30 groups a week. You're responsible for household chores and everyone takes turns cooking and shopping for the house. Very strict rules though-portion control on food but three meals a day plus three snacks. It's a very communal setting. No swearing. Groups range from things like addiction education, relapse triggers, codependency, cbt, co-occurring, domestic violence education, trauma education, etc. Counselors are very knowledgeable and they truly care about you. 10 min phone calls every other day. No visitation unless it's your children. Clients are often coming from jail or homelessness or domestic violence situations.

You have to detox before coming into treatment. Drug tested and breathalyzed randomly. No smoking. No caffeine. No artificial sugar. No chocolate. You get use to it.

I checked myself in voluntarily. You're not locked in. You're free to leave whenever you like but once you leave you're not allowed back.

In transitional living you go to 15 groups per week. They help with resume building and life skills. They help you look for work. You can smoke but not on campus. Still tested randomly. Can't leave campus until you earn recreational time. Oh and when you coin-out of transitional living and move out on your own you get to keep everything in your cottage. All cottages come fully furnished!

I just recently graduated residential and have been living on campus. I was in residential three months and have been in transitional living for a month. First time in rehab. Was severely physically dependent on alcohol after a decade of opiate addiction. I knew I needed to take myself out of my environment to give my brain a chance at re-wiring my neural pathways. I don't think any other program would have worked for me. I got out what i put in and i wanted to be here. The transitional living is insanely helpful because I gave up everything I had to come here. But I would have drank myself to death- had already had one seizure from trying to quit on my own and many many hospital detox stays where I ended up relapsing days afterwards.

I highly reccommend this program to any woman who is serious about wanting recovery.

 

[nuttynutskin]

Step2
Location: Reno Nv
Price: 5k/ month but it's a non-profit so if you don't have private insurance it's free
ALL WOMAN FACILITY
Review:
This place is amazing. It is a long term program with average residential treatment lasting 3-4 months. Pregnant women and those with children under 1yo *you can have your baby with you in residential* are given priority. 20 beds, 2/room. After residential you can opt to stay on campus in their transitional living 1-3bedroom cottages (with your children) and be in the iop program. You can live there up to a year. First two months rent are free and then is very cheap after *
($500/ month for a three bedroom).

Non AA based treatment model. While in residential you attend 30 groups a week. You're responsible for household chores and everyone takes turns cooking and shopping for the house. Very strict rules though-portion control on food but three meals a day plus three snacks. It's a very communal setting. No swearing. Groups range from things like addiction education, relapse triggers, codependency, cbt, co-occurring, domestic violence education, trauma education, etc. Counselors are very knowledgeable and they truly care about you. 10 min phone calls every other day. No visitation unless it's your children. Clients are often coming from jail or homelessness or domestic violence situations.

You have to detox before coming into treatment. Drug tested and breathalyzed randomly. No smoking. No caffeine. No artificial sugar. No chocolate. You get use to it.

I checked myself in voluntarily. You're not locked in. You're free to leave whenever you like but once you leave you're not allowed back.

In transitional living you go to 15 groups per week. They help with resume building and life skills. They help you look for work. You can smoke but not on campus. Still tested randomly. Can't leave campus until you earn recreational time. Oh and when you coin-out of transitional living and move out on your own you get to keep everything in your cottage. All cottages come fully furnished!

I just recently graduated residential and have been living on campus. I was in residential three months and have been in transitional living for a month. First time in rehab. Was severely physically dependent on alcohol after a decade of opiate addiction. I knew I needed to take myself out of my environment to give my brain a chance at re-wiring my neural pathways. I don't think any other program would have worked for me. I got out what i put in and i wanted to be here. The transitional living is insanely helpful because I gave up everything I had to come here. But I would have drank myself to death- had already had one seizure from trying to quit on my own and many many hospital detox stays where I ended up relapsing days afterwards.

I highly reccommend this program to any woman who is serious about wanting recovery.

Was this in the U.S.?

 

[Aporia]

Was this in the U.S.?

Yes in Reno Nevada

 

[nischayahuja31]

In my experience rehab centers are only helpful if you willing to get rid of this addiction. More than medicine you need emotional support of your loved once. I am very thankful to Nav Chetna, best Nasha Mukti Kendra in Indore helps me a lot to make my life drug or alcohol free.

 

[nznity]

I've spent 2 years in total counting my 3 rehabs and they don't work shit. I made more plugs and tried crack after rehab, I'd it doesn't work the first time, it's pointless to keep getting locked up. Ppl quit drugs when they are ready.