Life-Changing Recovery at Yellowstone Yellowstone Recovery has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. When I arrived, I was broken, lost, and unsure. I came in as a scholarship girl, but from the very beginning, I was treated with the same love, respect, and opportunity as everyone else. They didn't see me as less than--they saw my potential, even when I couldn't see it myself. One of the most impactful parts of my journey was learning what true recovery looks like. Honey played a huge role in that by teaching me the fundamentals: getting a sponsor, working the steps, and giving back what was so freely given to me. These weren't just words or suggestions--they were a blueprint for a new way of life, one that would not only save me but allow me to help others along the way. Yellowstone didn't just help me get sober; they helped me build a life worth living. Today, I have a family, both in my personal life and in the fellowship of AA. I volunteer, I have a sponsor, and I sponsor others, all because of the foundation that was laid for me here. This program didn't just save my life--it gave me a purpose. For anyone who is struggling and feels like there's no way out, I can say with all my heart that recovery is possible. Yellowstone Recovery gave me the tools, the support, and the love I needed to find my way, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Honestly, Humbly, Grateful, Tazia Marie read more

Sooo, I was here many years ago. I was a stubborn one. Not there from jail or anything but nothing was working so I was forced to go here (I'm sober now on my own which doesn't work for most people). I understand how this works for some people. First, the negative reviews are completely true. In the beginning they take all of your belongings and the staff picks a couple of outfits you are allowed to wear. I'm talking mismatched socks and like two teeshirts. I had a lot of stuff, including a laptop, a new purse I worked hard for. They convince you "it's just belongings and you should care more about saving your life. Okay great. When I left to go to a different treatment center, I was told to come back for my belonging. I went through it and only half of it was there. Went back, they told me over and over that this was everything. Gaslighting. I was told by a former employee that, "yeah they sent my belongings to the wrong person and told us to lie about it." So much for a program of rigorous honesty... We did all of the work around the house. Staff is told to be cruel to us. Yes Honey would frequently lecture us for a very long time and call us slurs. There were rats, but we were told to deal with it because we can't tell Honey. Meanwhile it was her dog's treats that were attracting the rodents... They tell us when we are allowed to shower. That was just annoying. The bunk beds were on wooden boards. It was freezing! They shamed me for my meds. They tell you no one cares about you on the outside. Many people told me I was going to die. Maybe I would have if I was an actual addict. Turns out my problem was unmedicated adhd. As soon as I got medicated properly in the real world my brain just stopped wanting substances and alcohol. I'm still mad I let them have my $100 dollar Disney gift card that my aunt gave me for my birthday so they could auction it off. read more

So I just recently left Yellowstone after spending several months there. I was not told before I came that 95% of the client's are on parole or where just released from prison. I was also lied to about several other things. To me it was more like a jail then a rehab. And the only thing you are allowed to do is go to there meetings and the center every day. If I could do it over again I would not of spent the money I did to stay here. There's no communication between staff and no one could ever give me a straight answer about anything. They kept me away from my family and wouldn't let me talk to them for a couple months. PLEASE LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. read more

Sure wish I had known more about this place before my son was taken there. He needed help but instead left in a lot pain, we are all individuals and no one can say he was not in pain but my son. Sad part no one called to say can you pick up his clothes and specify how long you had to do that, and when he called and asked to release his clothes to his parents they said they gave them all away. There was information on his forms to whom to contact. That is just a small amount of hurt that ended it. Where is the compassion. read more

Highly recommend Yellowstone Recovery! On July 15, 2014, my alcoholism had progressed to the point of no longer having a quality of life. I was living one might say only to drink. In my desperation, I checked in. I didn't think sobriety was attainable for an alcoholic, like myself. The gift of desperation made me willing. Yellowstone recovery showed me a way out.. I have maintained sobriety for 9+ years and I have achieved a quality of life that I had only dreamed of. I am forever grateful for Honey and the rest of the staff that cared enough for me to start caring again. Thank you Yellowstone Recovery! David H read more

For treatment it was great if you want to better your life. But this place seems to lose your property, makes u go through unnecessary hopes, gets you to do work for them and are very un professional read more

I just celebrated one year of sobriety. I came to Yellowstone angry and scared...not knowing what to expect. I learned how to live life sober and was given a great foundation in my recovery. It was structured and focused on recovery. The group center we all went to everyday gave me the tools I needed to stay sober. The instructors were amazing with the knowledge and group interaction and the information given to me is priceless. The rules were tough but it's exactly what I needed and gave me a strong foundation in which I have grown in my recovery. I found my amazing sponsor at Yellowstone and will be forever grateful for my recovery at Yellowstone and for this amazing woman of wisdom, strength and support If you want a good foundation, this is a good place to go. They expect you to work hard and you won't always like the rules...but stick with it and take direction. It will save your life! read more

Yellowstone really helped me through my brothers death and I'm honestly grateful that they taught me a new way to live and if it wasn't for them I would either be dead from my drug use or doing life looking for the people that killed my brother read more

Very disappointed in this place. I advocated for my husband to get into a program. I thought this place would be his saving grace just to find out how rude and unsympathetic they could be towards family members. I called to share I would be taking our children to visit there dad after the 30 day block out date , and they said they are not letting my through the front door. I have to wait 60 days to see my husband again?! That's wild , I am a HUGE support person for him not to mention his 4 children that are missing there dad dearly. I don't understand how this place is still up and running, tearing families apart and not allowing spouses access to visit and encourage there significant other. If you are a wife or a significant other Do NOT LET YOUR HUSBAND COME TO THIS PLACE! I hope the rules change and are a case by case situation, not every spouse should suffer the consequences of another! read more

Yellowstone is the foundation for my recovery. The day i became a client was the day my life changed for the better. The life i was living was a dark scary place. With no end in sight... I had tried to get sober before. At that point I wasnt ready... I just recently celebrated my 2 yrs of sobriety with help and support of the staff and my sponsor who is also a Yellowstone alumni. I was broken and scared. I was alone couldnt get away from that life. I was taught the different tools i needed to survive this ugly disease. My life changed forever. I am still employed, with a bank account and a understanding that i must live life on lifes terms. I remain teachable and willing to do whatever it takes to stay sober. I reach out my hand daily to help another alcoholic. I have worked all 12 steps of recovery with my sponsor. I am a working and productive member of society. All thanks to Yellowstone Recovery!!! read more

I would like to say I was a horrible addict at my worst and horrible to the staff at Yellowstone for trying to help me and tell me the truth thank god for Yellowstone still doing what's right no matter how much it hurts because that's when the healing starts and they give multiple chances because they truly care and have been through it read more

I was 19 when I got to Yellowstone, I was addicted to hard drugs and the odds were against me. They were hard core there and didn't put up with any of my crap. I followed direction and stayed for a year. I have now been sober for 20 years. I'm a great mom and have a great career, all thanks to Yellowstone. read more

I am truly grateful to Yellowstone Recovery. I came to Yellowstone on July 1st,2020, I was hopeless and broken. I had been addicted to alot of different drugs and thought I could never overcome this at all. Through coming to Yellowstone I have learned to just let go and follow the simple directions. Once I started getting a few months sober I could see a brighter future for myself. I stayed at Yellowstone for 18 months. I learned how to work through alot of things that were holding me back, through healthy communication and learning to share in groups and relating alot to the other people I could see myself changing. I learned how to trust. I learned a lot of skills as to help me build a good sober life. I now have people who want to be in my life, I have learned that no matter what happens in life I dont have to drink or use over it. I owe my life and sobriety to the men and women who were at Yellowstone. Thank you so very much for all that Yellowstone has done for me. read more

Zero stars if I could. I made the terrible decision to send my very sick son to this facility. I'm haunted by the things he told me. Not enough food and when there was food it was bologna on old bread. They make the patients get food stamps and then USE those food stamps for the rehab. I paid out of pocket for treatment. Honey (trying to get more money out of me) told me my son needed to stay 60 more days. The reason? Because she said he tested dirty for Benzos...they were giving him (their doc prescribed) benzos for anxiety. Of course she didn't offer to tell me that. I had to ask for a list of his meds. She literally tried to steal money from a desperate family. Mental health treatment doesn't even exist even though they claim that it does. Ex cons just released from prison make up the vast majority of the patients. My son slept with a knife afraid he'd be attacked. Yes, the violent ex cons have access to knives at this facility.. stay away. Please, one desperate mom to another, stay away. read more

Yellowstone not only saved my life they taught me how to live, and with purpose. If you are willing to receive help these folks know how to teach you precisely how to get better. I'm really grateful to these people. Great program with a fantastic staff. read more

I'm grateful to Yellowsone for my recovery When I came to Yellowstone my life was in shambles . I was hopeless and had no future. No chance to get sober or succeed in life. After I got sober, especially after I celebrated my first year sober and clean, I began to see a future because of what I had been taught at Yellowstone recovery. My life began changing. I was no longer jobless, now trustworthy enough to have positive relationships and today I have a real life, my own vehicle, my own apartment and many friends from Yellowstone that can rely on me , Those that got sober with me as well. "Thank you Yellowstone for giving me a chance " read more

Great place to start if rebuild and put the pieces of your life back together again. I know over 100 people they've helped over the past 5 years. read more

I'm writing this just as my loved one left the program. It has taken them 6 days for them to return his possessions. Amanda, the office manager has been telling him his belongings had not been received at the main house. He had two phones and at least $20 dollars in the safe. Tell me why now they are alleging he had no money at the safe. When I DROPPED of that money for him myself. Once we tried to get in contact with the "Director" HONEY- she dismissed us and asked to not give her a call again. She relayed to his parole officer that there is no money and only one phone stored in the safe. These people still have tweaker tendencies to be stealing from others. HONEY clearly only cares about the funding and the numbers. Please do not come into this place. They are robbing people and hiding information from patients and their loved ones. Amanda actually called back stating she had his phone only after I threatened to file a report with a law enforcement. This rant comes with warrant. My assumption is that Amanda is stealing from patients. HONEY is the worst director. Please really look into other options before coming here. Even if you're on parole, talk to your parole officer and avoid this place. read more

I am an Alcoholic who was released from prison in 2020 with no where to go all out of options who had lost all hope of ever accomplishing any of my Dreams in other words I had reached my rock bottom. To make a long story shorter, I asked my parole officer if he had any options and surprisingly he said YES and placed me in Yellowstone Recovery, that was nearly 3yrs ago and today I am grateful to say I am still sober. Yellowstone Recovery for me was a direct blessing from God and if the Alcoholic or Addict reading this simply has a desire to be sober.....it can be for them too. You are worth it! read more

I am forever grateful to Honey Thames and Yellowstone Recovery for giving me a place to go 22 years ago March 12th! By the Grace of God and Yellowstone Recovery, I will be celebrating 22 years clean and sober on March 12th. It was a gift from God that my sister was desperately finding a place that would help me and they did. My life is amazing because of Yellowstone Recovery and I will be forever grateful to them for giving me a place to go. If you know of anyone struggling with drugs and alcohol, they can help! read more

My first step was walking through the doors at Yellowstone Recovery asking for help. Addiction is a disease that has affected my life for a long time. Yellowstone has given me a safe place to begin recovering fully relearning how to live clean and sober by incorporating life skills along with discipline. I have been given independence and responsibility while rebuilding my life in the community with support from Yellowstone. Today I remain sober and grateful while able to help others do the same. Thank you to all at Yellowstone!!! Linda S. read more

Over 15 years ago I came to Yellowstone Recovery broken and lost. I'm so grateful I ended up at Yellowstone because not only was it super structured, they work straight out of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and get you on the right path right away! I've made life long friends and am still sober today! I highly recommend Yellowstone for anyone looking for Recovery! read more

I send my daughter to this treatment center at a cost of 5000.00 on top of what our PPO insurance would pay. We were told by Honey,the owner,that they were a dual diagnosis treatment center with medical staff. Not true. They have no medical providers available to clients. They have house managers with 6 months of sobriety overseeing a large group of women- cheap or free labor. They limit food intake for people I who are mostly malnutritioned when they arrive,a cost cutting measure.My daughter was not allowed her medications when scheduled. They claim to offer discipline but are downright cruel. They constantly humiliated my daughter and decided that her diagnosis was all in her head. Irresponsible! When she became symptomatic they tossed her out like garbage. Run don't walk away from this appalling,for profit need of incompetence. Dangerous! read more

I would highly recommend Yellowstone Recovery, I am there twice a week and what I see is AA at it's best. The girls live and work together to help each other and mainly the newcomers. I went to a different recovery house and never did I see the women who went there before come back to help the new girls. I am 3 yrs sober primarily because of God, Honey and the friends and inspiration I have found at Yellowstone. Yellowstone has a long successful history and I have met several fabulous women and men with 20+ yrs of sobriety thanks to Honey. If you decide sobriety is what you want, Yellowstone recovery is the place. read more

Yellowstone changed my life! I came in broken and afraid, and left with over two years sober. I now have almost 5 years! This place is not fancy or expensive, but it is exactly what is necessary to stay sober IF you listen and follow the rules. They introduced me to AA and I was able to recover after having gone through 6 other treatment centers. read more

I went through Yellowstone in 2001 and am still sober, yep 16years later I am clean and sober. I learned the tools that were needed to be successful in my life. I stayed there for 11 months and am grateful that I stayed as long as I did so that I can be the strong sober woman I am today. I would suggest this treatment center to anyone looking to do the work to stay sober. Yellowstone gave me the tools needed to have a life today. Danielle M read more

My diabetic daughter was admitted there and they denied her insulin and testing of her blood sugar for two days until she was able to find a way out of there. She was in diabetic ketoacidosis which is a deadly condition by the time she got out of there. Complete medical negligence they were told about her condition and denied her anyway. If you have any sort of medical condition do not step foot in that place. I had to give Yellowstone 1 star to be able to post this to keep consumers informed but truly they are at sublevel and don't deserve any. Oh and you might want to check them out on the Better Business Bureau they got a D -. read more

Yellowstone Recovery - Rehabilitation Center Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A wonderful establishment! I had a severe drug problem for years. It's safe to say nobody including myself had any hope that I would recover and be a productive member of society. It is a safe space. The people that surround the program guide you in your recovery. This program did a lot more then just save my life it gave me a life that I enjoy more then I could have ever dreamed. read more

Hell on earth. The food is expired that they give you, they treat you like a maid if your a women. You have to cook for the men in the morning so they can come by and get their food before they go to work or whatever. I was sent various time for only a few days at a time as a punishment. That's how horrible it is- other places use going here as a punishment. Honey is stealing money-she drives expensive cars while the clients starve. The houses that the clients sleep in need to be knocked down. The vans that they take the clients to for meetings and groups are also falling apart they are vans from like the 70s. I hope since I've been there they have bought new ones. They have a fundraiser every year but the money goes into Honeys pocket instead of to the facility or clients who need it. Other clients come out of jail and talk through the walls when you are trying to sleep like they are still in jail. Hide all your belongings because other clients and staff will steal it. There is not treatment going on, there is no psychiatrist, medical doctor, or even licensed therapist there to help you. So not send your loved one here. It may be cheap but it's cheap for a reason. Absolutely do not use your insurance to go here either. Avoid this place at all costs. It is absolutely horrible- I cannot stress this enough. read more

Yellowstone Recovery changed my life. I came to Yellowstone a broken addicted young women. Through the mentorship and guidance of the amazing staff I was taught a new design for living. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Honey Thames for giving me the opportunity to recover and grow into the capable sober woman I am today. read more

Yellowstone Recovery to me was the starting point of my life and is still a part of my life. They gave me an opportunity to grow while showing me how. Yellowstone is where i found hope. Yellowstone is were i got sober. Yellowstone is where i learned i wanted to be sober. Yellowstone Recovery taught me how i can stay sober. Yellowstone is where my new journey began over four years ago. Thank you Yellowstone for your patience with me. Thank you staff and counselor for listening and hearing me then most of all guiding me. read more

I have been sponsoring men at Yellowstone with excellent results. Some of these men have had hard times in their past but they're willing to change their lives and Yellowstone is really helping them. Many have received scholarships and others have over a year sobriety. Yellowstone is full most of the time but always willing to talk to those who are still out there suffering from the disease. read more

Yellowstone was the foundation for my recovery and paved the way for restructuring my life. Where many other self attempts and other programs had failed, this family is the key to my continued success in life. 3 years clean and still going strong! read more

I struggled with drug addiction and alcohol abuse for 25 years when I arrived at Yellowstone Recovery in 2015 i was desperate to change my life. They gave me the opportunity to do so and I sit here today with over 6 years clean and sober and I have an amazing life dedicated to helping others who are struggling. Yellowstone is not perfect by any means but they do care about giving men and women a place to start their new life. What happens is most of these men and women who come through aren't ready to entirely receive the help so what they do instead of take responsibility for their lives is find a new scapegoat to blame for why they are back to their old ways and they convince their families that the recovery center is the problem not them which we all know isn't true. Yellowstone is not a luxury medical rehab if your looking for that please go elsewhere what they are is a place that tells you the truth about your life and has an amazing group of alumni that comeback to help the newcomers. read more

Thank god for Yellowstone! It saved my life! It helped me become a man. I was sanctioned there in 2006 from another recovery home. For bad behavior. I was 19 yrs. Yellowstone is exactly my young alcoholic/addict self needed. I needed to really be shown how to live a life in sobriety and to live and have a healthy routine. They introduced me to the book of A.A for the first time. It's hardcore place, but hardcore in a amazing way! I needed structure and I needed for someone to tell me exactly what I need to do, I was lost. This place is amazing! There is so much support and alumni that come back and help and just hangout with you, to show you its possible. If you want to get sober and have long sobriety come here or send your love ones. If you want to just breeze by and not take this disease serious go lay on a beach or go get a message somewhere this disease is deadly and needs to be treated like it is not like a vacation! Jimmy read more

I can't say enough good things about Yellowstone. I had struggled with drug addiction for a good majority of my life (20 years) including numerous trips to jail/prison. I really had no idea how to get myself out of the hole that I kept digging for myself and I am extremely grateful to the yellowstone program for teaching me how to live life in a productive way. The people at the house are what made the difference for me , the staff and other residents were very welcoming and thoughtful. Fast forward to 6 years later and I am now a productive member of society with a secure grounding in the steps that I learned from the Yellowstone program. Thank You Honey and all of the staff for all that you did. read more

No no no. If you go for free then it's worth it. If you pay $7,000 then find out almost everyone else there is there for free, it's pretty frustrating. They also charge everyone there a different fee... Somehow I was charged the most to clean all day , cook, make our own food, make food for the staff, and get yelled at constantly by a bunch of other drug addicts who are running the place... oh and they are too busy smoking their vapes, and snap chatting to answer any of your questions, and forget about requests completely. Also the only food you get there is from Smart and final. Get ready to eat fake everything: fake meat, GMO everything, even the lettuce is fake. The owners don't eat that crap, but they make us eat it , and Honey ( the owner) loves to talk about how much money she has while wearing her 5 inch stillettos. Honey kicked me out on the street with a trash bag filled with my clothes ( instead of the luggage I brought) for NO reason. I was doing really well in my Sobriety, but since the owner kicked me out for no reason, and I was not allowed to contact my support group, i.e. my relapse prevention plan , I started using pretty much immediately afterwards. Stephanie and Brandon would ask me "how much is my life worth to me?" because they were trying to get more money from me to extend. Obviously my life is worth nothing to them since I was kicked out for no reason. All I got from Yellowstone was a skin infection, more resentment, a worse drug habit, and I'm Out 7k. So if you want to get a jail like experience, with a bunch of parolees ( true story they get most their people from a program in prison, all nice guys though ) then go to Yellowstone! You definitely won't get all your stuff back when you leave either because they take all your items away from you upon arrival, and give you a few items for the duration of your stay in a trash bag instead of your luggage. Anything cute or useful, plan on not seeing until you leave, if you ever see it again at all. Can you finally mail me back my checkbook? Not to the address you have on file, I couldn't afford to live there anymore after paying Honeys Mercedes payment , and mortgage for the month. Ken was nice, but everybody else there is miserable... You don't set a very good example of what sobriety looks like, and if you do , it looks pretty awful. I thought I gained a new family while I was there, dysfunctional but mine, that feeling was only one sided. read more

Stay away. Mostly paroles come here. Drugs are also associated and they did not test when my so. Was there. Please don't send your love one here. read more

If you like drama and to be treated less then human call honey I was there for over 7 months. My mom got sick and is now on life support. She wanted me to watch her client's for her. I could not make it, so she decided to roll my things up and kick me out. This is all the same day my mother is taken into ICU and the day I paid rent for the month. No sympathy and no way she will refund this months rent. Honey is an ego maniac who keeps those in favour if they kiss ass. It about money not about helping people. read more

PLEASE READ THIS My sister went to Yellowstone Recovery. This place is the worst place I have ever experienced in my life. They claim to help people, however they only care about your money. Be careful about the agreement/contract that you sign. My sister was kicked out of this facility after 8 days. They took at total of $4400. I have left over 30 messages with not one response from staff or owner. Please trust me...don't go here or send your loved ones here. I am an honest person who loves my family and sister. This might be the first time in my life that I have written a review on one of these sites. I really think it is important that no one else goes through the experience we did. Thanks Brandon read more