I suffer from PTSD. When I went to this facility, they advertised they were 'dual diagnosis' and PROMISED me they would help me through therapy. We discussed EMDR, and I was promised they had a therapist who was excellent. They did a lot of talking to get me to go. It was not nearby, rather 4 hours away. I got zero therapy in 5 weeks. They kept saying I "wasn't ready". I've been ready for years! The 'shrink' was on video - for about a half hour. He was from Guyana or somewhere, I don't know. He was not diving deep into anything that was on my mind. He actually agitated me. I saw him 2 times on video, then he managed to show up for one short session to toss a med my way. No therapy in my opinion. The office was extremely disorganized. You can tell who is in recovery and those who aren't. Many were obviously better than me. They listen in on phone calls. There is no privacy, and if you need to get on their laptop for Amazon to order essentials, your time will be limited. They had control of my phone. It got dropped and front cracked. It then wouldn't ring but once. No one took responsibility. Groups were just that, if they weren't cancelled, which they often were. If no one was leading the group, they would put on TED talks, and we would watch for an hour. One time in group with a dozen of us the 'counselor' had us write things about each other. Who, in our minds, was the most adventurous, artistic, kept the most secrets, etc. Then we read them aloud. What did that accomplish? Just an example. Busy work. However, there is much boredom there, with many empty hours. The dispensary is ridiculous. There are people behind the door who are handing out meds who shouldn't be. Someone should know what they are doing at all times. If you put yourself in this environment, count and check your meds and vitamins. Seriously. There were many mistakes. There is ageism at this facility. I thought it was my imagination, but two of the residents apologized for the way I was being treated. They were treated completely different when I was w them. Another resident told her husband on visiting day that I was the 'scapegoat' because I was the oldest. The food left something to be desired if you don't eat meat because you don't get much protein. My protein consisted of sauteed mushrooms, yogurt, milk, hard boiled egg. The kitchen staff was kind and caring enough. I believe budgeting came into play and they couldn't fit vegetarian patties or whatever into the menu. I ate salads the entire time, with a boiled egg. It got really tired, but they did their best, I'm sure. So many things were sideways. I walked on eggshells because I wanted treatment. I had planned on staying 90 days, even after I found their hidden charge I hadn't been informed about, paying rent for the next levels of treatment. Interestingly, they charged my insurance $85,000 for that 35 day stay. Get ready to hand your card for paying prescriptions. The pharmacies in that little town overcharge, and do not work with insurance. In other words, you need to deal with all of that to get reimbursed after you've left. I didn't get all my papers, receipts, and they failed to give me all my meds and personal vitamins from the dispensary when I left. They had to send them. I highly recommend staying away from this toxic environment. Especially if you are older, have any disabilities, or need a special diet. What was promised to me was not delivered. They fell short in so many ways, and it is still affecting me to this day. There is a lot hidden behind the beautiful photoshopped scenery on the website. That old Great Western hotel is dilapidated in many ways. The sliders wouldn't shut all the way, so there was very cold wind that would come in the rooms, and this was January-February months. The ADA unit was rather isolated and was the room time forgot. It had the same everything from carpeting, old broken kitchen appliances that for whatever reason they hadn't bothered to move out. The drapes were shredded from the outside, and one sorry hanging wicker lamp was dismally left from the early 70's over a small corner over a little table. It was so depressing. read more

Free by the Sea turned down a patient (my daughter, who is hospitalized and seeking help) despite having beds, citing they were not equipped to manage her PTSD, trauma and depression that are creating and endless cycle of hospitalization for alcohol abuse and mental instability. They should not be advertising as a dual treatment facility and anyone seeking help should consider if this is the right facility for them if they need dual treatment to succeed at life and sobriety. read more

So, Free by the Sea came with both good and bad - but the bad parts were fairly bad. The facility was beautiful (the girls side at least, the guys side not so much). I had one roommate, we both had pretty large beds, a shared bathroom for just the two of us, and a balcony facing the ocean. Our room locked and we each had a key which was super nice, as most places don't offer that and stealing can be a big issue in rehab (not so much here though). The therapy and groups were not great. I didn't find the therapy/counseling helpful, and my counselor wasn't very good. The groups were very boring and hard to learn from. It was just a staff reading info about how addiction works in a monotone voice. Another patient who was in the IOP part of the program happened to bring drugs back onto campus and shared with me, neither of us were in a very good place at the time. That night while I was asleep he overdosed and was taken to the hospital. The staff blamed me and told me that his overdose was my fault, and kicked me out while allowing the other people that he shared with to stay. I obviously understand why I was kicked out, but the way that Free by the Sea handled it was really messed up (and so was them blaming the overdose on me). They waited till everyone was in group and asked to talk to me. They took out my personal journal which had been in my stuff and read it back to me, passages where I talked about the relapse. I had already admitted to the drug use, and felt very violated that they had read my journal. They then continued to tell me that the overdose was my fault and told me to pack my things. My counselor stood there watching me pack my things, glaring at me, and refusing to speak to me or answer any of my questions about where I was going. When they had the car ready, they told me that they were driving me into Oregon and dropping me off at a bus stop with all of my many bags. Free by the Sea was in Washington, I lived in Washington, I didn't know anyone in Oregon, and I had only just turned 19. I was very distressed and asked if I could just walk off campus, catch a bus, and figure it out myself. They refused, and said that they didn't want me near the property and that they were driving me into Oregon. This was terrifying, super messed up, and I didn't understand how this was helpful or necessary in any way. I didn't expect anything from them, but I certainly didn't expect them to make being left at a bus stop in Oregon my only option - I expected to at least be aloud to leave on my own or be picked up by a friend. I got in the car with their driver, who was actually really nice. I was terrified and crying as we drove for a few hours, and he ended up allowing me to get a motel for the night in Washington with some money I had, instead of dropping me off in Oregon like Free by the Sea wanted. I am very thankful for him and don't know what I would've done otherwise. That whole situation was really messed up, and I don't even know what to make of it or why they would want to drive me into Oregon for any reason other than them wanting to make things harder for me. For the most part, being at Free by the Sea wasn't too bad. We went to the beach and on outings, and I had a lot of fun with some of the other clients. The main thing about this program that I take issue with is the way that they went about discharging me. read more

This place is better than other rehabs in Washington state. The staff were nice. It's very close to the beach. The beds were comfortable. They have Netflix and snacks. The groups were informative. People were welcoming and it seemed like people wanted to get better. They serve way too much pork. The owner seems to always be working on fixing something but I rarely see him completing or finishing tasks. He should hire contractor or someone with experience taking care of a facility of this size. A lot of things were broken. Overall they are good people. It's a business so I understand them wanting to be profitable. Im done using drugs after going to this place. Last most important thing is make sure you clean the filter on the juice machine where people get water. Drinking sink water is bad for you. It's not that expensive to get the water delivered from crystal springs. Love you guys. K bye read more

Do not go here if you are actively struggling with a trauma or another significant emotional situation that you feel like you need to talk about more than 1x/week. My amazing dad committed suicide on 4/5/23 and I was trying to drink the pain away. I was at Free by the Sea for 10 days and had not been given the chance by any staff to really talk about my dad and let some emotions out. One staff member told me to talk to the girls (other patients) about it- "I'm sure they'd be more than happy to listen to you". I introduced the fact that I am struggling about my dad with the girls, but the conversations were short and never got above surface level. The girls preferred comedy, gossip, and small talk over anything serious. I joined in on their conversations because talking about nail polish and the weather was better than not talking at all. On day 10 I had overwhelming flashbacks and deep grief, so I went to my room and cried and tried to comfort myself because I knew no one else there could help me. A staff member came into my room and told me to go to the process group- that it would help. I went to the group and shared that I feel like this isn't a good place to talk about my dad's suicide because it's a hard topic and I understand that a lot of people just aren't comfortable talking about it. 3 out of the 4 girls laid into me, saying they are done hearing about my dad, that I don't care how they feel, that I needed to talk to a professional, not them. One even said, I was selfish to have come to rehab and left my grieving mom and son (my mom was the biggest supporter of me going to treatment). A staff member was facilitating the group and did not try to stop their cruel attacks, left me alone in the defensive, and let me constantly be interrupted mid sentence. Clearly, I could not continue at this treatment facility given the fact that I was made to feel bad about my grief so I decided to leave. The way I was treated by staff while trying to figure out how to leave was abhorrent. Several times during my stay staff reiterated that this place is a judgment free zone, and a safe place for us to process our emotions to get to the bottom of our addictions. NOT TRUE! If you have a problem or concern, you are supposed to go to the front desk. They have a "Waaahmbulance" sign/drawing and treat you accordingly. Like a nuisance greeted with faces of annoyance. Positives: Kristi from admissions is really nice and genuine. Sabrina is inspirational and kind. The food is great, the rooms are very comfortable, the ocean view from the girls rooms is amazing, and the facility is beautiful. Note: although there are both men and women, you are not to talk to the opposite sex ever except for when in group. Sad for me cuz the group of men were amazing and tried to help me as much as they could. read more

Worst place ever! Toxic mold, doors don't close due to settling, dim lighting (so you can't apply any make-up), staff is not trained other than a certification...! read more

My boyfriend went to this rehab and was pleasantly surprised of how his experience was there. He said staff was friendly, and caring (really genuinely caring about you and your recovery). He said the food was great and there was 24/7 access to it. While every one is different and the rehab experience depends on the person I will say I don't know how long he would have stayed if he went somewhere else. He recommends this place. The views are beautiful as well which is a plus read more

I work at this location, however I am proud to say I chose to work here over other programs offering me work for the program FBTS offers. The services offered here are unique in the Northwest. I would strongly recommend a call to this program if you are looking at treatment options. read more

They saved my son's life. He was kicked out of a rehab in Oregon and they drove over the boarder & picked him up off the street. Free by the Sea will forever have my gratitude. He completed their program & we were able to have another year & a half with him before he passed from fentanyl poisoning at age 20. If your thinking of trying this place best of luck with your sobriety - don't let his outcome discourage you. He was suicidal since he was 11 and it took everything we had to keep him alive. It was his fate, please don't let it be yours... read more

Please be very wary before giving this organization any money. I paid a $11250.00 deposit which they claim is non-refundable but refuse to give me a copy of a sales contract or any documentation in writing other than a receipt of payment.They also would not return my phone call and emailed requests. I was forced to write a certified letter to the owner to get a response. They offered a partial refund if I would not relate my experience on social media, but then rudely rescinded the offer the next day. read more

Free by the Sea is a great family owned and operated treatment center that puts the client first! The mental health treatment sets it apart from the majority of substance abuse facilities. read more

FBTS gave me a safe place to begin my Recovery over 2 years ago. The amazing, compassionate staff taught me the tools to maintain sobriety. Each time I go back to visit I am welcomed with the same love as I felt as a patient. read more

I just spent 4 months here at this amazing place! The staff members go above and beyond to help guide you through the program. Every day I gained something new, and every day I got to practice the new skills I've gained. The staff really does an amazing job investing time into your individualized program and support any path you choose. There is a lot of diversity to choose from, not everything has been "AA" based. Which I found extremely helpful! The classes are guided well with each staff member but I found the peer lead groups is where I found a deeper connection not only with the others I've been here with but a connection with-in myself and my spirit. I made tremendous progress with my mental heath, all thanks to the mental heath team they have provided. I really couldn't have chosen a better facility to enter into at the lowest point in my life. I was drowning and free by the sea was my life vest. read more

Free by the Sea is an amazing treatment center, I was there in 2012 and it changed my life. Lots of places say they treat both Chemical Dependency and Mental Health but don't deliver, Free was not like this and the Mental Health treatment is there is AMAZING, and offers services that many rehabs don't! read more

Free by the Sea... I have been through recovery facilities before. In fact, I have taken courses to be an SUD counselor. This facility and especially it's staff are head and shoulders above the others. Facilities can be improved at every place I have ever been in but one thing can't simply be updated and that is the Heart, Passion, and Love for the clients that attend. "Staff", this is where the true difference can be found. Free by the Sea has very involved counsellors that understand the individuals needs. Let me just be complete with my recommendation here... I not only suffer from addiction but also have a terminal cancer diagnosis. My counseling needed to address my mental health needs also. My previous attempts to overcome a desire to use failed because this was not dealt with very well. Free by the Sea gave me tools and hope to address my feeling of hopelessness. I could name drop so many of my counsellors that helped me that it would take up this entire review, needless to say they all played a large role in my hopefulness of today. Callie, Jeff, Dr. Crabbe, Jan, even those at the front desk Patty...etc. they all need to be commended. From the very bottom of this hope-filled heart I say thank you. you are all amazing. This place is real. Oh ya, it's very beautiful at Ocean Park also. Easy walk to the beach. God Bless. You can overcome! read more

This facility touts itself as "dual diagnosis" for substance abuse, but that only means you can go there with dual diagnosis but will be thrown out if you have any of the symptoms of the concurrent problem. Example, my daughter has an eating disorder and developed a substance issue. The facility told us to bring her on down since they were "dual diagnosis". The 2nd day, she vomited due to eating disorder and we were called to immediately drive 5 hours to get her, in the middle of the night, as she was being ejected from the program. They said once she had eating disorder "cured" she could come back and then they would help her with both her problems. I can't get my mind around that. So we got an eating disorder place to stabilize that. And Free By the Sea said come on down, we really want to help her. She was in the program for 5 months, stayed sober, and got a job full time. Then 3 weeks into the job, Free by the Sea found one cup with vomit in it in her room and immediately ejected her from the program with nowhere to go. Again, we had been called and told that she was being put on the street and to come get her immediately. She was destroyed, and relapsed into full alcoholism within 4 hours in a hotel room. The dual diagnosis support claim is something I hope this facility will stop advertising as it's really just a Catch 22 situation. I made a huge mistake selecting this facility based on that claim. read more

This place is magical! The campus is so beautiful and the staff and owners really care about helping people.