449 Recovery

I went to 449 Recovery for a very short period of time and my experience was absolutely horrible. Let me start off by saying 449 was a step towards staying clean after completely my inpatient rehab which went really well. I was actually looking forward to another treatment program as I’ve always done well in structured environments and felt I was ready to take the next step to outpatient.
Once I got to 449 they drug tested us frequently which was to be expected. I had clean tests for the first couple weeks, no big deal. I spoke with the psychiatrist associated with 449 about my ADHD symptoms that I had been suffering from as a kid and was hoping to get on some non-​stimulant based medication to help me with my symptoms as I felt my symptoms affected my sobriety and were part of the reason I would use certain drugs. The psychiatrist put me on the maximum dose of some medication, I believe it was Strattera. It was AWFUL. I felt so uncomfortable and the medication made it so I literally couldn’t even function. It made my anxiety way worse and I felt like I couldn’t even speak at times because I felt so messed up from the medication. I then tried speaking with the psychiatrist and the staff of 449 about my side effects and how awful I felt and that I thought it was my new medication. Fastforward 2 hours.
I’m still feeling awful from my medication and just want the bad feelings to subside and the councilors at 449 tell me they need me, just me, to take a drug test. I thought okay I wonder what this is about? I proceeded to offer to take the drug test but I’ve always had a shy bladder and didn’t feel comfortable with people watching me go to the restroom. Let me add I was 17 at the time, a minor who did not feel comfortable with adults staring at me in restroom. I convinced them to allow me to take the drug test without people watching me after not being able to provide a urine sample. They made me remove my shoes, socks, and patted me down to make sure I wasn’t carrying anything that would skew the test. I finally was able to provide a urine sample and I went back to group afterwards.
I sat through the rest of group and waited for the «methamphetavan» (the nickname that was given to the van that drove us to and from the rehab center and was tolerated by the staff. Really appropriate, right?), but when van arrived I wasn’t allowed to leave with the rest of the people. The staff told me to wait until everyone had left and then told me my urine sample was too cold. Okay? How is that possible it came out of my body? They then proceeded to tell me that I’m never allowed to give a urine sample without a supervisor to verify that I did in fact pee in the cup ever again. I was extremely upset at this point but continued to chug water and hope to give them a urine sample ASAP. It took me 2 HOURS before I could finally pee in front of their creepy staff member staring at me while I went. They absolutely WOULD NOT let me leave until I peed in front of them. I finally did it and got a ride home from one of the staff members because we were advised not to have access to our own cars because cars = relapse (even though this rehab center is maybe 5 blocks away from a head shop and in the vicinity of plenty more.)
On the car ride home I expressed my frustration and anger towards them for holding me and not believing me and the staff member driving me home said something along the lines of «it’s not about believing you it’s just another way to hold yourself accountable». Accountable for what?! A few weeks later they got my urine sample back from the lab and found that I tested CLEAN. Needless to say I left the program shortly after.
These people are not compassionate for anything you are going through. They don’t understand or try to understand anything you’ve been through in your past or why you may or may not want to, for example, pee in front of their older creepy staff members. I felt so uncomfortable the entire time I was in their program and the patronizing staff made me want to relapse more than it made me want to stay clean.
I also had a lot of trouble with billing after leaving the program. They tried charging me hundreds of dollars that my insurance already paid them. This program seems really low end, scummy, and deceitful to patients looking back. Their staff isn’t as reputable as they say they are and I would definitely avoid this program at all costs if you or a loved one are considering this program. I managed to get 2 years clean since leaving this program and another year and some change after a small relapse After working through a lot of things in my past I’ve finally felt compelled enough to share my experience for something that has affected me negatively for quite some time. I can promise you there are better alternatives.

This place has the best people and the only program that works. The people here care so much. They helped my wife through a thought time. The daily activity, counseling, and aftercare program are well throughout.
Vito and Rodney made the impossible happen.
Thanks 449

After a number of failed attempts at recovery 449 was the program that saved my life. They taught me to take responsibility for my own choices and actions, and helped me to realize that it is up to me to take charge of my life and live it on its own terms. They provided the help and direction that I needed to get back on track. Thank God for this program and the people who work here!

Great day hanging out with Luke, Andrew, Rodney and Vito. Lots of positive feedback from some of the guys currently attending their program!

Thank you Luke and Andrew for a great tour. What an inspiring place. Loved meeting Jenny the Clinical Director! Loved the energy and seeing so many people on fire for recovery.

I had a relative in this outpatient program that has been in business a little over a year and though two psychiatrists we asked had not heard of them, we chose it anyway. There were some things that I found highly disturbing, especially from Mr. Robinson who’s bio says that he has extensive experience working at other rehab facilities. To address more than one participant by an obscene name during an open family group session was highly demeaning and unprofessional. Having «counselors» gossip about current and former participants is unethical. Also, parents who were given authorization were not being informed about their child having problems like not regularly attending or even dropping out of the program. Of the 12 participants that were in this program on family group day, seven had relapsed and or dropped out of the program in less than 30 days following, not a positive success rate. If you have insurance, great. be prepared for them to skirt around how much the program is going to cost. No matter how many times they were asked, a straight answer was never given, usually it was «your insurance is going to cover it». We finally saw what they charged this family member’s insurance. Ninety days of «outpatient therapy» was over $ 75,000, yes, $ 75k! Mind u they only had to pay the deductible, but some of the top «inpatient» programs in CA don’t cost that much WITH insurance and they tell you what the cost it is going to be upfront. On the positive side, the building was clean, set up nicely and centrally located. Mr. Vitto was always accommodating and Therman was always nice and professional.
As for the reviewer Kenny H. who commented about my post, its very clear you haven’t attended 449 as a patient or participant, so you shouldn’t even be reviewing the facility. Also, to make a snide remark about my character when u haven’t a clue, being a «counselor», aka recovering addict counseling other addicts in rehab, is just as unprofessional as Mr. Robinson was to the two people he addressed in a derogatory manner. I’d address u the same way here, but It would be flagged, but one name used was pompous P and ends with a k. (4 letters) Maybe being a «counselor», u can figure out what I think of you.

449 recovery was the program that led my addict son, as well as my entire family to a healthier, safer and sober life. The director, Mr. Robinson, accepted my son right were he was in his addiction, yet worked professionally and diligently to teach him skills to live drug free. This acceptance, respect, and knowledge of this disease process was vital to our recovery and healing as a family! The level of care and skill that the entire staff exhibited toward, my son, and the family led us to gain something I would have never imagined possible. a sober and successful life!