St. Simons-By-The-Sea

Reviews 4

DA

dan bessent

I was completely deceived by the staff members that I spoke with on the phone on about 6 occasions before arriving at the facility. They claimed that it was a nice place where I could get some rest and recovery and that there would be free time to go outside to play tennis and walk the grounds and just overall take a break from the monotony of my daily stressful life that had brought me down into a less than pleasant state of mind. They also made it sound like a resort type place that had Dr.s, nurses, and therapists that would be available to speak with on a regular basis. The Dr.s and therapists typically were busy and only were there during the day which left little time to speak with them about my problems because they were pretty busy most of the time. That aside, and most importantly, I was told that if at any time I wasnt comfortable being there I could leave anytime I chose to. Well, very soon after being interviewed and accepted by the admissions department (who obviously dont know much about what happens in the "back of the house" or "hospital area") I was asked to be searched, in which I completely complied until the gentleman performing the search wanted to see me with my underwear (very tight trunks) off to check for hidden drugs or whatever else I might be trying to sneak in after I had already performed a partial reveal of my back side and front pouch portion which I felt was a complete invasion of my human rights and privacy. Thats what got us off to a bad start. After I refused to get completely nude I was basically told that if I didnt strip down I wouldnt be allowed to stay at which point I agreed to do so without any resistance. Then after about an hour of them trying to convince me to do so, so that I could stay, they changed their minds and had me fill out all of the necessary paperwork work. They went through my belongings, took away a lot of my necessary items (some of which were medically needed for my hip pain (Biofreeze) I was shown to my room which was very uncomfortable and nowhere near "Hotel Like", I came back to the nurses desk and asked for my belongings so that I could leave at which point I was told that I couldnt. All of this took about 4.5 hours starting at about 10:40 pm when I arrived until about 2:45 am when I finally got to my room. By this time I had seen enough of this place to know that it wasnt for me. I was told at about 2:50 am that I couldnt leave until a Dr. cleared me for departure which ended up taking about 39 hours. One of the Dr.s even told me just a few hours before I was allowed to leave that, if I didnt stay I would end up right back in there or another facility just like it because he was certain that I was going to give some drug dealer all of my money. That is downright disrespectful and definitely not positive support. To summarize, it was much like a jail with a few nicer perks. If you are in need of a place to go detox from very heavy drinking or drug use for a week or so, and you live in the area then, this place is for you. They will give you all of the "sleep it off meds" you want. If you want REAL help with an addiction then PLEASE! FIND A BETTER PLACE. These types of "hospitals" are designed to keep you coming back.

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A

A Private User

11/11/11, I was at the facility for addiction to my drug of choice for 10 days last month. I was very impressed with the level of care and respect I received. But like anywhere else if you work with the staff theyll work with you. There is no sitting around over medicated and drooling, its just not like that. The facility has a very interactive protocol that keeps you on task for the difficult part of the process, which begins the moment you walk out the front door. Its easy to stay sober in a rehab facility; not so much when you get out. So be proactive and seek a support system before you leave! The staff can help you with that if necessary. They arranged a follow up appointment with an addiction therapist and group (Awakenings - Jax, FL : shameless plug) before I had even cleared the reception area to leave. Pretty impressive. So far, so good - still working at being sober. The facility is bright and airy and you dont feel penned in or institutionalized. The rooms are pretty nice, but you might want to bring your own pillow because theirs suck. Read the contraband list before you arrive, it will save you time and crabbiness while checking in, getting your room squared away, etc. Try to remember the staff is just doing their job and that job is to protect you and provide the help you need . I wouldnt take a lot of extra clothing because there is a washer / dryer set up you can use. As you settle in dont worry, nobody is going to judge you! Most of the staff and all of the patients have faced addiction issues just like you and I. If this is your first time in a rehab facility it might take you a day or two to get comfortable with your surrounding, but otherwise its a very easy going, positive atmosphere. The food is really pretty good, I actually gained 8 lbs while I was there. You only get 30 minutes to eat each meal and that kind of sucks. Avoid the "mystery meat" dinner (usually only once a week) and the cake; go for the pasta, veggies, fruits and pudding instead! I wish you the very best no matter where you turn for help! I thought I could do it alone and I just kept lying to myself and hurting those people that love me.. This place can save your life. It did mine!

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BL

Blake Alexandra Shipley

I hated this place. It was absolutely awful. It was old, run down, not taken care of, and the staff was very unfriendly, and treated us like we were prison inmates. I was tricked into staying here basically. I went over to see if I could receive help for my anxiety attacks and the guy who checked me in lied and told me I was a "serious" case, and that I should stay just one night for observation. Then he went on to saying I could leave whenever I wanted (BIGGEST LIE EVER!) All I was expecting was an interview and booking with a psychiatrist, some medication, and to be checked out the next day. Then I was told that I couldnt leave, and was forced to stay there against my will. They dont care about the patients, only about getting as much money they can out of our insurance, because the place is old and going downhill anyway, and they are losing funds. My parents had to come over and threatened a lawsuit against them until they released me. I am better than ever now! Im on lexapro to help with my anxiety and am happy to say Im back to a normal happy life. I hope they tear this place down someday. Or it at least goes out of business and they turn it into hotel cottages or something more beneficial. They need a nicer facility and more caring staff anyway.

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TE

Terry Glose

Went there today to visit my wife after a 2 1/2 hour ride .we arrived at 1 told the front desk lady my wifes name see wrote it down .visit hours were so post to be from 1.45 to 2.20 .after waiting till 1.45 they finally brought them to the visiting room at 1.50 and we didnt get to go in till 2.05 .when my son and I entered the visiting room my wife was not there so in asked the nurse where she was the nurse looked a her paper work said she wasnt told to bring her .so when they finally got around to getting my wife it was 2.15 and visiting hours ended at 2.20 so we got to spend only 10 minutes for the visit . I Was Very DISAPPOINTED And angry. For being a high rated hospital they were very unorganized they had 45 minutes to let my wife know we were there ..but we only got a 10 minute visit .. If they cant be organized for a family visit I wonder how the treatment is there. I dont recommend this hospital

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