Reviewing a drug and alcohol treatment center may seem an unusual thing to do. The task requires comparison with other "inpatient" facilities. Although I know people who have been to multiple rehabs, I've personally experienced only one other place, and that was ten years ago. At that facility, men and women lived separatedly, residents shopped for their own groceries, cooked their own meals, and did household chores. There's nothing wrong with that unless one experiences confict with other residents over these kinds of issues, which did happen there.
My time at The Ridge was totally absent of these stresses. I found it to be a restful retreat that allowed me to focus fully on my recovery. Healthy meals cooked by experienced chefs were often gourmet quality. Plenty of healthy choices were provided for snacking. Activities included yoga, meditation, acupuncture, cooking classes, art (with an art therapist who made it possible for the "less creative" to find their inner artist), music therapy that involved gentle experimentation with various instruments as well as a chance for residents to share their favorite/meaningful songs; weekend trips to the movies, bowling, and other cultural interests, all done in a co-ed environment. Oh, I forgot--residents go to the Y four or five times a week to include exercise in their regimen! Friendly resident supervisors transport residents to their choice of two given recovery meetings to attend in the evenings.
Although I've highlighted these wonderful attributes of The Ridge, the most important part of my experience there was the learning and care provided by a 24 hour on-site nurse, a team of 3 seasoned counselors, a fantastic staff psychiatrist, and one of the leading professionals in addiction medicine, Dr. Marc Whitsett.
Did I mention all of this is provided in a private, gorgeous mansion on a hill surrounded with bucolic views of meadows, woods, and a pond where residents spot deer daily? There's even a beautiful swimming pool for warm weather.
The Ridge slogan is "Recovery for Life." I can't think of a better place to begin recovery--it felt like a vacation to me, but one from which I could take what I learned and apply it in day to day life "on the outside." I can't say enough good of my experience there. I miss the staff. Thank you all! read more
