I do pro bono career counseling. My observations are based on multiple full days spent on site…read moremeeting with clients and staff. This review reflects what I personally observed and experienced during that time.
Clients arrive and spend one to several days in Detox. Up to six people share one bathroom, and each client has a roommate. Nursing staff brings in food and checks on Detox clients around the clock. Then, clients move to cabins or two shared houses, and have to be driven to and from the main site at the start and end of the day with backpacks and no access to their rooms for about 15 hours per day.
Clients spend from 9 am until about 9:30 pm in sessions, which consist of various types of therapy and AA-based meetings. There are occasional off-site activities including horse therapy and hikes. LISTENING TO SHARES is common. I witnessed various levels of staff preparedness. Taking attendance and dealing with paper appointment reminders can take significant time.
There are three meals per day, and clients are served in two shifts. I heard clients share that the food is good if high in calories. Breakfast includes a daily scramble with various ingredients and there are sometimes short-order items; clients can also have instant oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, fresh fruit, toast, coffee, fountain drinks, tea. Lunch and dinner are served hot and usually contain meat; salad is always present. Fare is generally American-grilled salmon, sandwiches, ribs, grilled vegetables, nachos, chicken breasts, pork cuts, etc. Special diets are accommodated, often with tofu.
I witnessed many closures and significant waits with the office and nursing. Clients are required to do chores daily, such as working as dishwashers in the kitchen with professional equipment for 45-90 minutes. Clients get one nicotine run per week, rare haircuts, access to laundry every 10-14 days, and unannounced urine tests and K-9 visits.
In my time there, I perceived the client base to be predominantly white. I heard multiple mentions of Burning Man, "spirituality," Jerry Garcia (whose death in or around here spawns many rumors), Buddhist centers in Berkeley, temples in the woods, henna, travels to Asia, dharma recovery as Buddhist rather than Hindu. I witnessed many racially-implicated incidents, as well as white-male shares numerically dominating many sessions. Sometimes there are readings from the LGBT AA book; flags went up for Pride Month. I witnessed some clients being allowed to curse at others publicly.
There are views of a valley, and deer walk through daily. There are significant hills and stairs. Many of the 12 acres are off-limits. There is a small gym. In summer, you can use the pool, but it can be closed by staff due to client behaviors. At times, there are not enough seats for clients.
After five days with no device access, clients can use their phones and/or laptops from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm during free time. There are rules around vaping, smoking, device use, sleeping during sessions, but I witnessed a wide range of compliance, staff response, and staff breaking rules. Families can bring clients ONE bag ONE time per 30 days with various supplies, which are checked. Clients can order FIVE Amazon items per 30 days. Family or friends can visit every Saturday, and are expected to participate in some programming.
I often felt very upset in this space.