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.
8 comments:
why cant everyone rally together and start a major lawsuit? or maybe at least a few of us can contact the press. i would love to see this guy at the very least shut down. i have found several things that can be used..and i am sure many of you can find more..including false advertising, false representation, fraud, blackmail, false pretenses, lying to P.O. officers.
nothing disgusts me more then someone who takes advantage of people...especially ones who can't help themselves and even worse come to him for the help.
I would like to personally give mike a drug test...and i have no problem paying for it.
here is a list of all the websites mike nielsen has for his one treatment center
http://www.connorranch.org/
http://www.teaminterventionists.com/
http://www.interventionorangecounty.com/
http://www.interventionorangecounty.com/contactus.php
http://www.surfcitydrugrehabilitation.com/
http://affordable-drug-rehabs.com/staff_counselors_drug_rehab.html
http://drugrehabaddictiontreatments.com/
http://drugalcoholdetoxrehabtreatment.com/Travel_Arrangements_Surf_City_Drug_Rehab.html
http://www.surfcitydrugrehab.com/
http://shorebreakdrugrehab.com/alcohol-rehab.php
http://drugandalcoholrehableaders.blogspot.com/
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200811/1226423148.html
http://www.drugrehab-services.com/treatmentFacilityLocators.php
This is just my opinion. It is only based on what I have seen for myself...
Mike is not so much evil as he is mentally disturbed. What do you guys expect? Give very disturbed, uneducated, and sexually-frustrated person reasonable amount money; then educate that person on weaknesses of people in early recovery - Mike is what you are going to get! Yes he treats his emoployees like crap by overworking and underpaying them. Yes he is irrational and egotistigal. Yes he is a twisted and inconsiderate sociopath. But one of many the reasons that makes me believe he is seriously mentally ill is that regardless of how many people try to sue him, trash his reputation, and so on, he is still living in his delusional world, thinking that somehow he is helping people and is being of service to fellow alcoholics.
He does use his authority on newcomers to get sexual favors. I personally know at least one person that he has done that to. But once again, what do you guys expect when he is still very much so in his disease? He takes way more anti-anxiety meds than are being prescribed to him by his doctor. He practices no AA principles whotsoever; he has no idea of what 12-steps actually mean. And even though he goes to church on Sundays, it doesn’t look as he is trying to live his life on terms of Ten Commandments. Now the cold hard truth is that sometimes there’s not so much we can do about people like this. However I truly do believe that no evil deeds go unpunished...Mike has a decent team of lawyers protecting his interests and cleaning up his mess. And the best thing you guys can keep doing at this point is sharing your experiences and promoting this blog on more search engines. Also, plug it in as a different query, other than “Connor ranch fraud” as it is not what people plug into search engine, as they are looking to get some info on a rehab. Good luck with everything! And God Bless you all!
I have followed this blog since it originated and I will continue to do so. I have called Connor Ranch on several occasions as different people with daughters needing treatment to me needing treatment. I have looked around the program, talked to people individually about the program and I even asked for 5 referrals that I could talk to and ask them questions about their recovery and with their families. Surprisingly, when I talked to the random families or clients, No one had any negative comments that merit reporting to you all at this time. I have a neutral interest in trying to find a solid piece of evidence in which to make my launch from. I guess I will keep trying to find something I can use. So far the score remains 0 to 0.
I wrote you a post a couple of days ago and am curious if you received it - sent by "sad & sorry". Under user name it says "choose an identity" so I choose that, assuming you would respond on the blog. I want to participate, but I don't want my email flying all over the place. HOW DO I SEND YOU AN EMAIL? I can't seem to find that option...
If you received my post, please respond and let me know (as well as if you didn't and I'll try again).
You said somewhere : Post your comments please. And in return I will help you find the sober living home that really helps people in the Orange County area.
I'm in L.A. but Oc if fine if it's truly affordable and "REAL" without lies, scams, extortion, bullshit etc...I need to find something, but at this point I'm ready to give up! Everything seems to be a scam. Please help!
Thanks
I don't want to post this or my name or my address, but I don't know/understand how else to contact you. Perhaps you should create an email for these correspondence?
addicts fail all the time_stop blaming other people
I am a witness testifying in The Califonia State Department of Alcohol and Drug Progams case against Conner Ranch, and can be reached at calikittie@live.com. Please get in contact with me ASAP if you are willing to take action in closing him down.
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.
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