Starlite Recovery Center

Reviews 3

BI

Billy Huether

This place is a joke. The majority of people, sans the nurses, are CRUEL in that when youre at your lowest point, reaching out for help they tell you and sell you everything you want to hear. At the entrance, theres a sign that says "WORLD CLASS RECOVERY". I find it repulsive knowing that sign is as far from the truth as you can get. I was stepped down to "hold the wretched symptoms of withdrawal at bay". I went through worse withdrawal symptoms after I was "detoxed". I was unable to sleep for over three days after "detox" and NO ONE GAVE A DAMN. I talked to every nurse, my counselor and just about anyone else who worked there. I practically begged to see the doctor and was told that I was out of "detox" and dont get to see the doctor UNLESS(get this!!!) it was a medical emergency. The medical staff saw me pacing the floors and wouldnt help. It was then that I decided to leave. THERE WAS TREATMENT AT STARLITE, HOWEVER, THE TREATMENT I RECEIVED AND THE WAY IN WHICH I WAS TREATED WAS ALL BAD. I GOT NOTHING OUT OF BE AT THIS "recovery center" During the initial phone call as well as when I arrived, I was emphatic about not wanting a 12 step based recovery having tried that, to no avail. I was told "NO PROBLEM, WELL TAKE CARE OF YOU." As you may be able to surmise by now, THAT WAS A HUGE LIE! Within 10 minutes of being there and feeling like death, I reiterated that fact that I was not interested in any way, shape or form in AA, NA, CA, ad nauseum. Immediately, I had this guy named Rick in my face telling me, "If you dont do the 12 Step program and do the 12 Step work you are gonna go out and use again!" As you may imagine, I found this disconcerting as this guy didnt know me from Adam. Yet, he assumed that I was a drug addict by saying "youre gonna use again". I would think that is more likely than not EXACTLY WHAT YOU DONT SAY. It didnt intimidate nor did it inspire me. Although, had I had the ability to think clearly, I most definitely wouldve left at that moment. THE MASTERS OF MISLEADING!!! -They boast "cuisine". Being brutally honest, I have eaten in many Mess Halls in my 20 years in the service and they were all head and shoulders above this place. -They boast massage therapy. They have one massage lady, one day a week for 1/2 of a day. But wait, it gets more ridiculous. In order to "book" a massage appointment, you have to be near when the staff prints out a sign up sheet thats broken down into 15 min increments. So, if you wanted an hour massage, you just write your name in 4 times on the sign up sheet that is taped to the wall. -Acupuncture is also boasted. Only its not inclusive, they have to get a volunteer to drive you an hour away and then you pay out of pocket. -One of the mainstays of this place is group therapy. Youre encouraged, even during detox, to go. My first experience was having a sheet of paper shoved in my face and being told to fill it out "So that we can keep track of your feelings". I wasnt asked my name. I wasnt given the slightest modicum of common manners by having this "counselor" introduce their self. Where there is negative, there is usually a little positive. The one positive of this entire goat screw of an operation is the nursing staff. Even though they brushed me off as I apparently became persona non grata after detox, they were still attentive and caring during the detox period. ONE LAST ISSUE, THEY WROTE IN MY MEDICAL RECORDS THAT I HAD HIV AND HEP-C, WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. WHEN I POINTED IT OUT, THE DOCTOR BECAME UNBELIEVEABLY ANGRY. HE WENT FROM DR. NICE GUY TO SUPER DOUCHE. WHEN I STATED THAT I WANTED THE RECORD CORRECTED HE STARTED YELLING AND TURNED RED. I guess the Wizard doesnt like it when you look behind the curtain. If you want to get clean and sober, I wouldnt go here. One last comment, there was more than 9 people that I talked to that had been to place more than once. One guy had been there 5 times in the last year. What does that say about the efficacy of their treatment modalities?

AL

Alicia I

I was given the run around, ignored and lied to. First of all, my son was admitted for a 45 day program, but only stayed 30 days. I was quoted an original private pay price of 18,600 but they encouraged the 45 day program to the tune of 24,750. After my son left, they agreed I was due a refund, told me it would be "less" because he "broke the contract" (they refuse to show me where it says that) and that the refund would be 6000. When only half that was refunded, I called to see what happened, and after about five calls and a week, was told different things by different people, kept getting transferred, and no one could keep their story straight or even say the same thing twice. At one point I was told they never got my messages but a few minutes later said they got the messages but needed to transfer it to someone else who could handle it. I just wanted the refund I was originally told I was going to get. I was promised a call from the "supervisor", no name given, that same day. I never received any other call. I live two hours away and have a son at home, still working on his recovery, so I dont want to drive down there to be told they are "in a meeting" which is another excuse Ive heard when trying to reach them. As for the recovery part, since Im obviously unimpressed with their business side of things, my son left early because he felt he got all he could out of it. He was bored, as many of the great things they tell you about and show you on the website never materialized. The place was pretty rundown. At one point when I visited, the front door to their cabin was completely broken and had to be locked shut, unusable. The boys were then moved because of construction. I never once received a call from his counselor, though I left messages asking for a call back, and was told in the beginning to call any time. Not one single person ever called to check on my son after he left, or offer any kind of outpatient care or advise. I was astounded and hurt by the lack of compassion for my son. Even though he left early, he was a paying client and we were told repeatedly about the amazing aftercare. But there was none.

AM

Amber Rodgers

I would not recommend this facility. There are a lot of inconsistancies when it comes to rules and expectations of clients, and quite often I felt I was treated and spoken like a child. It is a coed facility, but if you speak to, stand near, or sit next to a member of the opposite sex you will be scolded. YET, a crossdressing male who perferred females was allowed to room in the girls hall and share a bathroom with females. The extras listed on the site are exagerated. The mini-golf is unkept and not usable, I was never given the oppurtunity to rock climb or zipline, horse thearpy happened once and more time was spent discussing our feelings than interacting with the horse, and the "paved walking pathes" shown in the photos is the walkway to the cafe. The actual walking trail (a circle along the facility gate) is not paved. As for the advertised outside meetings, my entire stay I attended two. They hardly have drivers, and when they do you still only have a 50/50 shot of attending because of the overly strict seperation of genders. The weekend are very unstructred and you have way too much free time. If you dont have family visiting you will likely feel like you are just wasting time. During my stay at least 10 people (probably more) left early because they were so unhappy with their experience at Starlite. When I decided myself to leave my counsler said I was free to leave, but I did not feel that way. They refused to return my luggage, cell phone, or book they had kept when I processed in. I was traveling from out of state, and was forced to travel without my phone. They also made me walk to the gate while carrying all my belongings. My counsler was so upset with me for leaving (3 days early to avoid another long unproductive weekend) that she threw me out of her office and then refused to allow my belongs to be released. It was very unprofessional. I would recommend looking into other options. I know I will not return to Starlite should I need any further treatment. Oh. But the food was decent and the kitchen staff was great. So maybe Ill bump it up to two stars.