I had both a positive and not-so-positive experience here. I was safely medically detoxed (nurses…read moreKay and Michelle are amazing and truly care about each patient), and transitioned to residential inpatient "rehab". I mostly enjoyed the program; however, I was put on a "Gender Restriction Contract", which meant I could not engage with members of the opposite sex, because I had a (what they thought was an inappropriate) relationship with another resident. I essentially could not even look at - and ESPECIALLY not speak to/with - ANY member of the opposite sex. Being a kind, courteous, and polite human, I had an especially difficult time following this rule. I could not - and just basically would not - ignore someone who spoke to me, even to respond to, "Good morning!", especially since I'm a grown ass adult and found it ridiculous that I was told who I could and could not speak to.
There are several employees at TRS who truly care about the residents - RAs Jasmine, Sarah, Matt, Mikaela, Brandy, counselors Lisa, Alora, and Lillian (Lillian is one tough cookie, but she does truly care, and I came to love her), psychiatrists Paula and Alaa, Alumni Coordinator Jessica (who is AMAZING), Admission Coordinators Ray and Nate, and the Assistant Director Rita honestly, truly are kind, patient people who seem to care about the success of each resident.
Having named the "good" employees, there are some employees that a potential patient NEEDS to be made aware of: RA Kelly, a man who is verbally aggressive and abusive, PHP instructor Clay, who makes you think he cares but plays both sides of the fence by telling his boss everything even remotely negative things you do or say, and last - but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST - is the Program Director Daryl-Lyn. Daryl-Lyn is (hands down!) the one of the most negative, biased, judgemental, unhappy human beings I've ever met. She NEVER (and I'm using that extreme word purposely) has anything (!!!!) nice, or even remotely constructive, to say to a patient, ever. If Daryl-Lyn asks to see you in her office, just know it is for something you've done wrong. I actually asked a lot of my co-patients if they ever heard her say anything positive, and not.one.person said yes.
All in all, I would say I had an "Eh" experience at Promises Right Step, Houston. I made some lasting friendships but couldn't speak to a lot of them (gender restriction) and felt I was walking on eggshells, was medically detoxed but now am suffering withdrawals from Suboxone prescribed there (essentially they got me addicted to just a different drug), and didn't have to share a bedroom but everyone has to share a toilet/sink restroom with a connecting room. The showers had warm water and great water pressure, but the floor was always gross enough you have to wear shower shoes. Unless you're in PHP, you are allowed ZERO electronics, ESPECIALLY your phone, which is confiscated when you're strip searched upon admission. There aren't beverages 24/7 because they lock the cafeteria, which means no coffee whenever you want - IF the coffee machine is working and not out of coffee, which happens multiple times, every day.
Would I tell someone to not go get help there? No. I would just advise them to do their research and weigh the options. Best of luck with anyone struggling with drugs and/or alcohol. You're not alone.
