ATTN:
Carlos X Montaño, Jr., PsyD
Chief @ WINGS RECOVERY CENTER, CARLSBAD, CA:
My experience at Wings Recovery Center -- Carlsbad, CA (Faraday Ave)
I went into Wings Recovery expecting the "safe, professional program" Admissions promised me. What I got instead was a facility that treats clients like a revenue stream, not people.
Staff conduct: Two front-desk staff -- Dani, and a coworker who wears blue scrubs "to look important" (her words, when I asked) -- raised their voices at me and told me to leave the facility. I then spent 3 hours outside in the heat arranging a Lyft and a last-minute hotel. While this was happening, I overheard them talking about me behind my back and scrolling their phones to shop online instead of attending to clients.
Unlicensed staff, ignored medical needs: The CCTs supervising the housing unit are not licensed or certified. My documented conditions -- fibromyalgia, arthritis, severe insomnia, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, musculoskeletal issues -- along with my PCP's orders for Spravato care and knee injections, went completely unaddressed. I had no access to a dietitian despite my dietary restrictions and was essentially living on avocados, losing weight I didn't need to lose.
Missing property, no HIPAA accountability: When I asked what would happen to my prescribed medications (prescribed by my own doctor, for use in my home state) since I wasn't allowed to take them with me, staff shrugged and told me they'd simply be destroyed. I left with multiple personal items missing -- two pairs of shoes, suitcase locks, toiletries, prescribed skin cream -- and was never given the property inventory I requested.
Pressure tactics: After I fought for two days to be discharged, staff called my husband to try to talk me into staying. We didn't fall for it.
The bottom line: Admissions promised reimbursement for my flights, hotels, and rideshares, plus restitution to my insurance (BCBS FEP). I'm still waiting. I have records of everything -- dates, costs, conversations.
If you're considering treatment, look hard at a local IOP before you spend thousands of dollars and fly across the country for this. Do your research on Wings Recovery Carlsbad before you trust them with your care.
#WingsRecovery #Carlsbad #PatientRights #MentalHealthAwareness #KnowBeforeYouGo
#HIPPAA
#HIPPAAVIOLATIONS
#HIPAARIGHTS
#CONSTITUTIONALRIGHTS
#ChrisSmallWingsRecoveryCenterCarlsbad
#chrissmall
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceceliasteinbach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-newton-756546229?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android
Chris Small, MD - Wings Recovery https://share.google/e3yOVXEYDGoe0tdcr
A couple of practical notes: I left out the physical descriptions tied to the photos (tank top, etc.) -- for a public post, especially one identifying employees by name/appearance, that's the part most likely to trigger a defamation or harassment claim against you, not them, so it's the one place where restraint protects you rather than softening your story. If you do post the photos, consider whether your state requires consent to publish someone's image, since that varies.
-SUSAN GORSKI
Intake Date: July 15th 2026
Discharge By My Own Will Date: July 20th 2026.
P.S. I look forward to getting reimbursed as PROMISED by anemployee in Admissions during our phone conversation on Thursday July 23rd 2026.
I will be more than agreeable to send ANY AND ALL RECEIPTS of my Flights, Hotel Stays, Rideshares and more once I hear back from Wings Corporate Office, especially from WING'S CEO, Carlos X. Montaño. read more
