Ripoff Report Complaint

A Forever Recovery

Submitted 8/19/2009

This is a very poor facility and possibly a mere money scam that preys on the emotions of those desperately seeking help for their loved ones. 

I am a recent "client" who signed myself AMA after only TWO days in their "detox clinic"   

The detox area is an old, paint chipped two story small house. The 'bed' my friend paid 2000.00 to hold for me was a bunk bed. There were two sets of bunk beds in a room probably no larger than an average small bedroom.   They would place 4 women in this room if they had the clientele.

The small shared  shower off the kitchen was filthy with rusted drain and  active spider webs.  When I asked to talk with my friend and tell her this facility was not what it was represented to be, I was not allowed to leave the porch of the detox hut.

I wanted to tell her  about the conditions, and to cancel or stop payment, but I was not allowed this opportunity. 

The Doctors who staff the program are not on site and have a private practice in town.  I was driven to this physician and given a cursory exam. 

 The Program Director - knew I was unhappy and was probably not going to stay. I later found out the Intake  ( Sales) person called my friend several times saying that ( although she was originally told she had 7 days from the time of my arrival to pay) -- it was now imperative that she sign a lengthy contract ( that they faxed to her office) and that they now needed  ASAP --  ALL 7 days of detox fees up front - by CREDIT card.

For my own safety I finally left AMA and thus had my cell phone returned to me so I could call my friend and tell her what was going on.

It was however  too late.  She paid the 7 days up front, (675.00 per day) plus the original 2000.00 bed hold.  ( Another non refundable fee)

At this time she is pursuing  a refund for the 5 days I did not receive services, but of course, no one is returning her calls and at this time A Forever Recovery holds a total of approximatley 7500.00 of her money for two days of my little "camp out" in the detox hut.

By the way - the main facility is also bunk beds, housing 4- 6 clients.  The woman's wing I saw  was dirty, the walls sadly in need of paint and the floors dirty.

If you notice from their web site or brochure - all the pictures are of the lobby, the lake or a few meeting rooms.  It is all very misleading.

 ** Please do a quick internet research  of the owner of the facility -- Mr. Per Wickstrom -- and draw your own conclusions. **

The contract my friend  was pressured to sign states she cannot seek refund, sue , nor even make any disparaging remarks about the facility.  I however, am under no obligation as I was not a voluntary enrollee and signed no legal responsibility documents.

Unless some suitable arrangment can be made and my friend is refunded all services paid for but NOT provided, then I intend to bring this matter to the attention of the Attorney General of Michigan.

As for my own satisfaction and to keep others from falling prey to the misleading advertising ,  and unprofessional  / poor services provided by A Forever Recovery - I hope to tell more of my story and experiences through a variety of venues.

This is NOT an ACCREDITED  Rehab facility.  It has a State license to operate. That is all. 

As someone who was in professional, accredited facilities in my past - I honestly do not know how they are allowed to continue to operate in the fashion they do.

The aides and nurses were all very nice and kind and patient and I believe they do have the alcoholic/addicts needs at heart.

However, the administration is ( in my opinion)  just a sales team and operation that has found very good and easy money can be made in private Rehab and cleverly written legal contracts.

They want your money  upfront, and give you no recourse for refund.

'Stop your addict' from going to 'A Forever Recovery'

Seek Accredited Centers. Get outside referrals.  Research thoroughly.