I just want to say I agree with the concept that passages believes in. I am not sure about the disease concept so much. I think everyone who abuses a a substance what ever it may be, drugs or alcohol it is a fix for an underlying condition mental condition more than anything else. The chemical inbalance is created by the drugs or alcohol or could be there before a person started using. When you find out what makes you get high that is the first step to recovery. If you don't uncover what the true problem is and address it you will always relapse. Fix yourself first then kick the habit. Addiction is physical though, it is just as hard if not harder than finding what your deep down problem is. Find out what makes you get high first, what is the real reason. Then work on the addiction part. Quitting drugs and alcohol after years of using is something that should be done under a doctors care. You can literally die from withdrawls if not treated with something to help your body make the transition to getting clean and sober. I do agree, once and addict kicks the habit you can never go back to casual use ever again or you will relapse.

Posted by: Rick
April 30, 2010, 3:11 pm

I ran across this new medical treatment while watching 60 minutes one night. They apparently boast an unheard of 85% success rate and the patients dont even spend anytime in treatment center or have to do weekly meetings. I didnt believe at first so i called the company and they let me speak directly with some of the patients . I spoke with six patients and some of the families and Wow! these people were not only excited but extremely happy to speak with me. Apparently some of these people were hard core drinkers that had gone through every treatment out there and nothing worked for them. They told me in less than 24 hours they had no desire to drink and all them are still not drinking at all.The families were telling me it was like having a different person in there lives and expressed how elated they were. Think i might check this one out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtqh-yB0i1I www.freshstartprivate.com

Posted by: Mitch
May 30, 2010, 11:43 pm

I listened to the cds and read the spiritual books that came with them and I do not drink anymore and have no desire to. The fact that you drink or use drugs to cover up an underlying condition is true. Even in AA they want you to write down all the harms done to you and to others. You have to search your soul and get over all the abuses ect the you have suppressed. Once I did that, I stopped drinking and I know I will never drink again. I believe that the program is a life saver! If AA works for you, then great! But it didn't work for me. Good luck to all, rather in AA or Passages. It's all about what works for each person. Just because it didn't for you doesn't mean it will not work for someone else!

Posted by: Tammey Gitsham
June 9, 2010, 12:17 pm

go to Passages! The fact that you say that you have some past issues is enough. I listened to the cds and I will never drink again!

Posted by: Tammey Gitsham
June 9, 2010, 12:23 pm

looking for a cure for my daughter 26. any recommendations? alcohol drug of choice.

Posted by: rose
June 10, 2010, 3:59 am

For everyone that is attempting to "cure" themselves or their loved ones of addiction, you need to know one thing for sure. Addiction is NEVER 100% curable. Also, addiction is a disease. It IS an imbalance that tells the person they simply cannot function without drugs or alcohol in their lives. The Passages Malibu is simply trying to bank on selling people a "miracle cure" to a disease that does not have a cure. They are making their money off of the word "cure." Addiction is not something you can put focus to for a few weeks, months, or even years and then simply be cured. The only way to sobriety is to focus on your sobriety day by day by day by day and one step at a time. You cannot go somewhere, do a little therapy, and be cured. The root of addiction is much deeper than some problems with money, family, health, crisis. Simply talking about them does not work. You have to discover the root of your problem, talk about it, work out the problem, learn how to deal with it if it ever occurs again, and repeat over and over. The proper steps to sobriety are never ending. It is a battle you will face for the rest of your life and simply CANNOT BE CURED BY ADDRESSING IT WITH RELAXING SURROUNDINGS FOR A FEW WEEKS/MONTHS. The only true way to properly work your way to sobriety is to abide by the Twelve Steps, go to AA/NA/CA/or any other anonymous program, have a sponsor, and take your addiction battles one day at a time. Please, do not buy into this. It's a sc

Posted by: Matthew J.
June 20, 2010, 8:48 pm

I am a California State licensed alcohol/drug counselor and have been for over 20 years. All I can say after visiting and reading the site is I get the feeling of someone selling snake oil. So many things wrong to see on the site if anyone just pays attention to detail or lack of it. Notice no certifications listed, no State licenses listed. No details about the program itself like length of time, if it's residential or outpatient, what is the daily schedule, the cost, etc. No accredited recommendations. All you see are some comments that look like they are from people being paid to praise a vacuum cleaner they have never used. It's hard to believe some people could get suckered into paying to stay there to listen to some self indulgent egomaniacs that have no clue about addiction. They do however seem to have a clue how to trick people into giving them money.

Posted by: Mike89
July 5, 2010, 6:46 pm

I had a friend who went there, relapsed, and have gone to rehab myself on the East Coast and relapsed. Rehab doesn't work itself. When it seems to, it is only a coincidence, because the person was ready to quit anyway. Anyone who wants to know how this stuff works should read "Heavy Drinking" by Prof. Fingarette. The anti-opioid naltrexone seems to help with the thirsty amygdala, at least for me. The amygdala cannot be treated or reasoned with.

Posted by: Jim Roberts
July 16, 2010, 8:35 am

I was "dependent" on alcohol and drugs for over thirty years. I went through a 28 day rehab, based on the 12 step program. I had a problem attending the AA meetings and IDing myself as an alcoholic/drug addict. I stopped attending the meetings after 30 days. That was eight years ago and I am free from my dependency still. I was able to face the underlying issues that caused my dependency. I have read Mr Prentiss' book and it is excellent. I wish I could afford to send my 17 yr old son to Passages.

Posted by: Craig Dale
July 23, 2010, 1:34 pm

I have read the comments here, and can only offer my own personal experience with Passages. I entered treatment at the Malibu facility in 2004, and have not touched a narcotic since (I wouldn't even know how anymore, or where to fine it!). When I went in, I was homeless and addicted to Meth. I was met with the most wonderful group of loving and caring individuals, who were ready to do anything and everything to attend to my needs as a recovering addict. I would recommend this treatment facility to anyone and everyone suffering from addiction. My only regret is not keeping in contact with the staff after I left, and my only criticism was of the overpriced and unnecessary post-rehab services. A woman who does not work there any longer tried to convince all of us to pay her almost $200 every day for a phone call for our post-treatment. I don't believe they do this any longer. However, everything else was completely client happiness-oriented, and that truly was the only out of the ordinary service pitched. I truly loved my stay at Passages and will never forget my wonderful experiences, treatments, education, etc. I owe my life transformation from a homeless drug addict to a happy and successful UC graduate all to Passages and the Passages staff. This, however, was my experience and my experience alone. I cannot obviously speak for everyone who has stayed at Passages. Hopefully my comments have helped, and good luck to everyone suffering out there.

Posted by: CM
August 7, 2010, 8:10 pm

Total comments 98Page « first, 2, [3], 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, last »

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