Volunteers of America

Mar 2nd, 2022

Oct 7th, 2017

:-)
Feb 28th, 2017

First, the positives: You can get and stay sober here! The curriculum can be boring but it is extensive. You will learn many different coping skills for yourself and your relationships with family. There are amazingly dedicated counsellors who care about you . I never felt like just another patient. They go above and beyond in my opinion. This place is state funded so it is strict, no frills living. The negatives: Roach infestation but again, state funded. The rules are bent, broken, changed, and then changed again. The regional director is Ramon Gonzalez, ex military, current tyrant. If this man doesn't like you he will get you out. His style is more homicide investigator less helpful advocate. If he believes you have crossed him by breaking a rule or refusing to out someone who has your days are numbered. By rule I mean something as small as having a cigarette lighter in your possession. He has kicked people out for less. If you get in his cross hairs you might as well leave of your own accord because you will not be successful and he will make sure of that. I sound scorned but I actually finished the program. I saw the wreckage left in this mans path however. I spoke with a couple of his colleagues and apparently he used to be a stand up guy, now he's jaded I suppose. If he even suspects you know of "contraband" (from chocolate to cigarettes on down the line to actual drugs) he will grill you like a hamburger. I felt secure that there were no drugs present when I was there but the other things he harped on bordered on petty. Yes we're sick and need structure but we do not need to be treated as less than. Any addict knows we beat ourselves up plenty. We don't need a member of our treatment team against us as well. This disease is trying to kill us- this is life and death. Really Ramon? Is it worth your ego to send someone packing for an infraction as small as an unlit cigarette in a dresser drawer? The punishment does not fit the crime in a lot of his decisions. He needs to find employment elsewhere because women are suffering at his hands. Losing your children or serving a prison sentence for not completing treatment are real possibilities. My goal in writing this is to let others know what they are in for. Find another rehab, one where the DIRECTOR isn't arrogant and willing to use you to prove a point- namely that he's always right.
Dec 24th, 2016