San Diego Student Recovery

Normally I don’t write about things, good or bad. However, Sara S’s review, so bitter and pointed, made me speak up. As a physician, I have dealt with numerous agency’s and houses of sobriety over the years. Sadly, my own daughter has been battling her substance abuse problems for ten years, so I have had an opportunity to see these sober places as a father, and not just as a physician. I had given up hope until my daughter met Concetta at a 12 Step meeting. Concetta has been wonderful, looking after my daughter with the loving care she needed. She is very professional, and never pressured me about money. When my daughter was ready, she recommended a six month treatment at Sober College in Woodland Hills. My daughter agreed. My daughter got cold feet the night before going there, however. Concetta saw her get on a bus to run away, chased after the bus, and when it stopped, pulled my daughter off and calmed her down. Now that’s full service care! She has been so nurturing that my daughter, a first in ten years, put her full faith in her, and has been well served. My daughter just finished her six months, and is now in a Sober Living home near the college. Concetta has given our whole family hope, hope that we’d all be given up on. I wish there was more I could do to show my appreciation for all she has done; we are forever grateful. There was NOTHING in Sara’s review that was even remotely close to what I saw, both as a physician and a father. I’m sorry that Sara wrote the bilious report she did which to me, is one untruth after another. Was Sara asked to leave the program and this is her payback? I shouldn’t even go there, and I hope Sara gets the help she clearly needs and deserves. But from my standpoint, I endorse Concetta and her program 100%.

I lived at SDSR for 6 months, and Concetta, the owner, is one of the most unprofessional people I’ve ever dealt with. She gives confidential client information to other clients, yells, screams, cusses at clients, and in general cares more about money and image than her clients or their recovery. How many relapses a client is allowed depends on how much money they (or their parents) fork over. Dirty houses (as in, active using going on, not physically dirty, as keeping things physically clean is more important than being actually sober here). Fires staff with 12 hours notice, constantly rotating through staff.
Also, constantly rotating apartments so be prepared to constantly have to pack your shit and move every time you get settled. Don’t think you’re getting any kind of assistance with… anything. You get breathlyzed (maybe) and drug tested (sometimes) but don’t think you’ll get help with your meds, doctors appointments, mental health, daily structure, or any of the things you’d expect for almost $ 3k a month at sober living. Oh wait, monthly rent varies on what she thinks you’ll pay. Usually everyone is paying a different amount — and no — that’s not because of insurance. Name changing to «It’s Perfect» which shows just what a joke this place is — recovery is NOT perfect — it’s always a work in progress. Concetta wants SDSR’s Image to be «Perfect» and it shows in that her concerns are fixated on appearance (and of course, the almighty dollar) and not substance or real issues going on with her clients. Also, caught her in many blatant and verifiable lies, either about clients or to clients!
If you are in recovery, please go somewhere that actually cares about helping you on your journey, not just wants your dollar.