ONE STAR -- An Absolutely Devastating Experience. I Would Never Recommend Sierra Tucson to Another…read moreFamily.
I have never written a negative Google review in my life. However, after our family's experience with Sierra Tucson, I feel morally obligated to share what happened in the hope that another family will think very carefully before entrusting their loved one's recovery to this facility.
Our adult son entered Sierra Tucson struggling with addiction and emotional and mental health challenges. Like so many families facing this heartbreaking situation, we were desperate to find a program that could provide the intensive, professional treatment he needed. We placed enormous trust in Sierra Tucson, believing its reputation and promises of comprehensive, individualized care.
To say we are disappointed would be an understatement. We feel completely devastated, betrayed, and profoundly let down.
From our perspective, the experience was nothing short of appalling.
1. An Unacceptable Lack of Communication With Our Family
My husband and I repeatedly called and emailed Sierra Tucson, desperately trying to communicate our concerns about our son's emotional state and treatment. Getting meaningful responses was extraordinarily difficult.
We were not asking to interfere with his treatment or violate his privacy. We were asking for someone to listen to our serious concerns, explain the facility's general treatment approach, and help us understand how to support our son.
The lack of responsiveness was shocking, particularly from a facility caring for individuals and families in crisis.
2. Unrestricted Access to His Phone and Computer During a Critical Period of Recovery. From day one we received numerous horrible, disturbing text and phone calls throughout the day.
One of our greatest concerns was the extraordinary amount of access our son had to his personal phone and computer. From day one we received numerous horrible, disturbing text and phone calls throughout the day. Even though they claim to only have 4 hours a day of technology time. This was absolutely not the case. When we sent an email asking for this heartbreaking, unhealthy behavior to stop it was totally disregarded.
Throughout his stay, we received these deeply disturbing, hostile, and emotionally volatile communications, sometimes continuing for hours.
He was also accessing my business emails despite repeated requests that he stop.
We repeatedly questioned why someone who was clearly struggling emotionally was spending so much time engaged in these unhealthy interactions rather than being helped to disengage and focus on recovery.
We never received an explanation of how this level of technology access was therapeutically beneficial in his particular circumstances.
3. We Saw Little Evidence of Meaningful Emotional Progress
Our son entered Sierra Tucson with emotional challenges, including anger, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating his emotions.
As parents who know him better than anyone, we hoped to see at least some indication that he was developing healthier coping skills, emotional stability, and insight into his behavior.
Instead, the communications we received throughout his stay left us deeply concerned that these issues were not improving.
We understand that addiction recovery is complicated and that no treatment facility can guarantee an outcome. However, we expected meaningful intervention, professional communication, and a coordinated approach to the serious concerns we were raising.
4. Serious Concerns About Treatment and Discharge Planning
Our son was discharged on October 10, 2026, and we remain extremely concerned about his readiness to return to everyday life without continued intensive treatment.
We had communicated our strong belief that he needed a structured next level of care rather than simply returning home.
We were desperate for meaningful guidance, coordination, and a clear understanding of how his continuing needs would be addressed.
Instead, we were left feeling that we were navigating one of the most frightening situations a family can face largely on our own.
5. A Profound Disappointment in a Facility That Families Trust With Their Loved Ones' Lives
Families do not seek residential addiction treatment casually. They do so because someone they love is suffering, because they are frightened, and because they are placing their hope in professionals who claim to have the expertise to help.
We entrusted Sierra Tucson with our son's well-being during an incredibly vulnerable period in his life and they profoundly let us down.
We invested not only substantial financial resources but also our trust, hope, and emotional well-being.
What we experienced was a troubling lack of communication, inadequate responsiveness to serious family concerns, and an experience that left us questioning whether our son received the level of individualized attention we had been led to expect and paid an a substantial amount of