I don't even know where to start - I just completed 60 days of residential in-patient treatment at UAC, and it was a life-changing... life-SAVING blessing to me.
Prior to entering the program, my life had become completely unmanageable, and after a year and half of trying to work recovery, I severely relapsed and my life came crashing down. I was broken. I'd destroyed my family relationships and trust, lost my job, and faced potentially significant legal consequences. I didn't know where to turn, but I knew I needed much more help than I'd had access to prior. So I started researching several residential treatment centers/programs across the country, and eventually I narrowed my options down to just a handful of places that seemed like a good fit - solid programs with qualified, expert therapists that would push me out of my comfort zone and hopefully help me develop the recovery tools I lacked. I spoke with the program and clinical directors of each of these centers, and I KNEW that Utah Addiction Centers was where I needed to be. I can't explain it any other way than to say that as I spoke with them, there was an instant feeling of peace and calm that came over me - it just felt "right". I knew I needed to be there.
I came through the door feeling terrified, broken, lost, and not even sure my life could ever really be filled with hope, happiness, recovery and change. I had lost all self-respect, self-worth, and any shred of confidence in myself -- this was literally my last hope. For the first few days I felt overwhelmed and kind of shell-shocked, but immediately they put me to work, pushing me way out of my comfort zone. As I began identifying and working through some of the traumas in my life, meeting with a staff member in individual therapy sessions, and working in group sessions with the other residents - an amazing group of some of the most impressive, sincere, authentic, humble, vulnerable, supportive, loving and non-judgmental people I have ever known - little by little I began to feel hope again, I began to be able to see myself through God's eyes again, rather than through the lens of all my failures and disappointments, poor choices and mistakes, and I began to develop a solid basis of recovery which made me feel stronger and stronger every day.
I don't know how they do it but the MOTIVATION behind what they do is very clear -- they absolutely 100% CARE about the people they treat, and they treat us with love, respect, compassion and empathy. Yes, they push us hard too... incredibly, uncomfortably, and even painfully hard at times, but they do so out of love and genuine concern. I'm so grateful to have felt that from each of the Staff, and to have witnessed them treating my fellow group members in recovery with the same love and compassion. They are all incredibly qualified, dedicated and skilled at what they do, but they also sincerely care about each client that comes through the door, and when a client is willing to work hard and is dedicated to his/her own recovery, the UAC clinical team and staff bend over backwards to help that individual receive the individualized treatment and care that he/she needs. It really upsets me to hear or read comments from people who try to cast doubt on the intentions or motivations of the UAC staff, or try to insinuate that any of them are are "in it for the money" - that is absolutely, unequivocally false. I know this first-hand.
If you are SERIOUS about getting help, if you are WILLING to work harder than you've likely ever worked before, and if you are COMMITTED to your recovery, there is no better residential treatment program than Utah Addiction Centers, and no better clinical team than the amazing staff here. Period. I owe these people my life, because they literally gave it back to me. If you or a loved one need help, do whatever it takes to get here. It can save your life.
- David
Eagle Mountain, UT
Don\'t listen to the few bad reviews. The majority of the reviews are 5 stars on every review site I\'ve seen, and they are correct. This treatment center saved my life. I went there when I was 19. After completing the program, I relapsed, and they welcomed me back with open arms and no judgement. I have now been sober 18 months and I can truly say, without Ascend, I would be dead. The therapists are top notch, the owner truly cares about you, even if he\'s bad at showing it. I regularly attend their aftercare program, and have been for the past 3 years. The 3 steps of treatment(In patient>Transitional>Sober Living) is what really separates Ascend from other treatment centers. By doing this, they slowly give you more responsibility as you get back on your feet. Most places will do 30 days, take your money, and kick you to the curb. Not Ascend. You can call any staff member, from any level of care(including the owner) 24/7 and they will be there to help. I have never experienced a treatment center that cares as much as Ascend does. After completing the program, I have continued to live in Salt Lake City and attend AA meetings. What really sticks out to me is how many Ascend alumni are in those meetings, and have managed to string together a good amount of clean time. Even though Ascend is smaller than most other treatment centers in Utah, they have more alumni with years of sobriety than any other treatment center in Utah. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
- Danny
American Fork, UT