Complaint Review: Passages Malibu-"The Cure" - Internet

11/29/2010

i had the misfortune to do the 28 (actually, they tell you it's 31 full days - you know 2 days for travel). There "salesman" michael really does an amazing sales pitch on the phone - if you are "under the influence" when you call (and you must be to agree to their pricing and philosophy), by the end of several calls you are convinced that you couldn't possibly get sober without attending. Oh, by the way - michael assures you that you, and only you, are going to get a deal on the price if you sign up immediately (wow - only $50,000 instead of $62,000). Of couse you don't know until you get there and you are going through detox, that the doctor that you are going to see and give you absurd blood tests will cost you more ("just sign the papers now - we know that you are out of it - you can read them later").

well, i did the whold stay - you do see many therapists - among them you have a drug conselor - i got a guy named Ross who was somehow able to advise me, because at 35 he had been in rehabs 8 times (i guess the last time was a charm). His outragous behavior was enough to make anyone stop using drugs or alcohol.

i had my room changed 5 times in 3 days - of course i was reminded by michael that i shouldn't complain because i had gotten such a great deal (is he going to pay my credit card bill?)

and, let us not forget the guys - chris and his son pax (the ex drug addict and inspiration for this whole concept). chris writes books under another name and publishes out of his own company. they are books about i ching - chris explained that he makes all of his decisions using i ching sticks - i wonder if these sticks told him how much to charge people who were weak and desperate? neither of them are there on a regular basis, and when chris comes to lecture, it is so out there that i am sure that most people would agree that the 50 minute lecture (which seemed like 2 hours) was barely understandable. i can go on - but, i'm running out of space - i think i'll save the rest for my book.

PLEASE -save your money and find a "real" program. of course, i'll never drink again - i'm too scared to go back - so i guess you can list the program as "aversion therapy".

Passages

Review from Amanda C.

Amanda C.

New York, NY

5/28/2009

I have a serious bone to pick with Passages.

It's by far one of the (or THE) most expensive drug and alcohol treatment centers in the Malibu area. I'm pretty sure a 28 day stay runs about $80,000, which is twice the price of most astronomically expensive rehabs.

They differentiate themselves (and justify the cost) by saying that they have the highest success rate and most unique program in the country. It's true- it is unique. Most treatment centers have a 12-step basis and Passages does not. Most treatment centers treat drug/alcohol dependence as a disease, but Passages does not. Passages claims there is a "cure" for alcoholism and apparently they're selling it. For an outlandish fee of course.

I have met Pax Prentiss and think he's a very nice man, but I do not believe in what they're doing. I don't claim that only one form of treatment is effective, but I do think it's irresponsible to be peddling a CURE for a disease/disorder/condition that the medical and scientific world is apparently not aware of yet. It appears extremely manipulative, especially since most people are desperate when seeking help for themselves or loved ones. If you claim to have a cure and the highest success rate, people will pay you WAY too much for what winds up to be WAY too little.

My humble recommendation is this- DO NOT buy their book and DO NOT sign away an $80,000 check until you have researched all your options. Anybody can claim anything unfortunately and I simply don't trust them. They speak of alcoholism as though they're the leading authorities and that is JUST NOT TRUE. As far as I can tell, neither Chris nor Pax Prentiss have any degrees or research experience to back up their outrageous claims. I can almost guarantee it, since NO scientist would make such irresponsible claims of a cure without considerable data to corroborate their findings. And they certainly wouldn't broadcast their "breakthrough" on infomercials.

Don't get manipulated or taken advantage of. Please be cautious about Passages.

JDD