Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Reminder

Please read all the comments in this blog. They are true and verified testimonials. And I want to wish all of you the best life has to offer, and what the 12 steps can do for your freedom and happiness.

God bless….. Sober Guy

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sober Guy-your blog saddens me and leaves me with a heavy heart. My son has been in Connor Ranch for 3 months to over come a serious addiction which has landed him in trouble with the law and almost ruined his young life. I live close by the treatment center which enables me to be at the houses frequently. (I drop in ALL the time) I have seen nothing but positive stuff and found Mike and his staff to be caring and understanding. My son is doing well and is learning to live life sober and have fun at the same time. I have not seen abuse of any kind. I understand that many people don’t make it through the journey of recovery but if a program does good things for people-why discredit it in attempt to hurt the person who runs it just because you have had some personal problem with him? Along with sobriety comes forgiveness and you sound wounded-have you ever thought of speaking with Mike and burying the problems that the 2 of you encountered?

Anonymous said...

Soberguy,

You are SO obviously a fellow alumnus from good old Connor Ranch! When I read a post defending him here, my first thought was that Mike must have caught someone else breaking the rules! Seems if anyone messes up, one of three things happen:

1) Mike goes to person's family to hit them up for huge sums of cash to allow them back in. (note - his rehabbers funded by super wealthy families who keep paying up strangely result in being offered "staff" titles to stay on despite repeated behavior indiscretions..."no end rehab plan")
2) No money? Need that legal form completed? Become an internet promo writer for the business.
3) No money? You're out on the street.

Don't get me wrong, he's not an evil person, and rules in rehab are very important but the man's number one priority is income off recovering addicts. His rules change every day, and consequences for violating them have no ethics, nor consistency. Clearly, violations are handled entirely by how much cash he can extort. Let the guy have his successful business, that's fine, but keep him AWAY from truly vulnerable people during such a time in their life.

Mike may have deluded himself into believing he's doing something good for people, but to gleefully and openly boast to rehabbers that he won't pay to provide us with any more than, say, state minimum hours of therapy (and as he laughingly told me, "the state says AA hours are considered therapy, so I just drag you guys to as many meetings per week that fulfills the quota. Therapists are expensive!" this when asked if we could have more access to a qualified professional each day).

Connor Ranch looks great, and in theory should provide a great chance at a lifelong recovery - IF it delivered what it claims.

I wish Mike could grasp how much harm he does in creating way more distrust in addicts trying to get sober. Addicts desperately need to learn to trust others, themselves, a recovery program, AND those who introduce them to it.

If this man would just hire professionals in recovery who know what they're doing once and for all to run this show, he could sit home and count his damned money all day long.

The world would be better off.

Anonymous said...

I have experienced ALL OF THE ABOVE
and then some! however, I think its Proactive to gain "proof" such as photo's of expired licenses...

Parents being Proactive and researching the director, researching the "staff" researching all of the facilities... Making unannounced visits etc...

If you inundate the "system" that controls "Rehab Centers" you will get a response. The problem is this; Michael is used to kids, or dope heads, addicts etc... also he's from the "streets" so he's a survivor who knows how to get what he needs to survive, and that includes... psychologically speaking he's still in the "homeless" mentality ( every Man for himself). I am not making excuses, just trying to rationalise, so that when you do make a concerted effort instead of thinly veiled threats of suits etc... you will know what and who and how to deal with him.
There are a plethora of things....
#1. who's dispensing Meds?
#2.Are they an RN? are they Medically Liable?
#3. how are the patients treated? ( detox)
one cocktail does not fit all; if discomfort is expressed is it addressed?

Last but not least...PAY BY CREDIT CARD! that way you can dispute the charges... if you get kicked out...

also demand a copy of any and all documents you signed!

Thats a bit all for now...But I was a witness, and choose to not be a victim.