Before I chose to spend my insurance money on this place, I probably read EVERY review ever written on OBR. I was under the impression from the website I was going to a "luxury-type" rehab. Even though that really didn't matter to me, I of course thought that was a plus, I also had read a lot of reviews saying the staff truly cares for it's clients and its not just about money; I bought into what I was reading and decided to go to Pompano Beach. First, I'll talk about the rooms and housing unit you stay in for 30 days. The room you see photos of on their website IS NOT what you will be in. That room is the penthouse suite, and it is where Phase Two clients stay. (Phase Two is the program you are able to go into if you get to 30 days and decide you'd like to stay long, that is, as long as your insurance will keep paying for it.) The room you stay in is basically two rooms with a connecting door-you have four room mates. One room has a television, a couch, bathroom, and balcony, the other has all of that and the kitchen which is a refrigerator, oven, stove, and microwave. The housing unit is a old motel that they turned into a housing unit for this rehab. You are NEVER allowed to be stand out on the front balcony because 'the neighbors don't like it) and have to sit on your back balcony alone whenever you want to smoke a cigarette, read, ect.The food situation is exactly as you're told on the phone, you get a $70 Publix card every Saturday. You're able to buy anything you want EXCEPT anything that says the word 'energy' on it. Obviously that means no energy drinks, but also no mio that has b12 in it. You can buy however many espresso shots, and coffee you'd like though! The only bad part about the Publix trips are there is a tech with you, you have to wait for everyone else to go down each isle with you, the tech is wearing a nametag and headset, that says Ocean Breeze staff (obvious violation of HIPAA rights) so it's very apparent to the store/customers you're in rehab. You can't wear a jacket, or bring a purse in as well.The staff:Almost all of the techs are very young recovering addicts, some have been through the ocean breeze program before, others have been to a different east coast rehab center. They are all in recovery though. You're supposed to have a year clean to work there but apparently 6 months is acceptable too. One of the techs was fired for dating a client while I was there. Some are super judgemental and play favorites (this happens A LOT). The only techs I found to be nice and helpful were Renee, Kelsey, Paris, and Josh. There is also a male tech (Mike) that is such a misogynist it is absolutely disgusting. He won't even say hi and ask how you're doing if you're a female. The therapist are all recovering addicts except for Paige. It helps to have a councillor who is in recovery as well (imo) because you can feel that they truly relate to you and aren't judging you outwardly. I was given Paige at first. I decided to try it out and see if it really mattered to me that she wasn't an addict or anything, and attended two 1o1 sessions with her. It was god awful. If OBR reads this ever, I really think they need to consider how many clients have asked to switch from Paige to a new therapist. She is an ex kindergarten teacher, and marriage counselor. Everything she says to you seems like she's reciting it from a text book, the DSM, or some worksheet she did in CAP school. I had to request a different therapist after that, and I was given Stu. Which if I was just reviewing this rehab on him alone, I'd give it five stars. (That's the main reason it has two instead of one). Stewart is AWESOME, I learned a lot from him in the short period he was my therapist, and I still use a lot of the things he told us today, months later. So, thank you to Stu for that.
When I stayed a tech was fired for DATING a client. Suboxone taper is a joke, you're off everything in 4 days. This place is horrid and super judgmental and plays toward favoritism a lot. I wanted to believe the reviews that this rehab is different and they "truly" care. The director of operations Mike threatened to not return my ID, wallet, and cellphone once i decoded to leave. He said (verbatim) "If you're not going to talk to me you can come get your **** in three days." They do pretend to care, until your insurance is up then you learn real quick its like any other facility: A BUSINESS. Also you have to wait TWO weeks to use a phone even though admissions tells you 72 hours its TWO WEEKS STRAIGHT and it doesn't matter if you have a husband, kids, ect.
Save yourself the failed experience! Florida has plenty of GREAT treatment options. Choose a different one. read more