My daugter is 24 y.o. and a 7 year heroin addict. She has been passing out and needing to be detoxed. Looking for a detox for her she came across Safe Haven Ibogaine Center Resort in Rosarito Beach Mexico. Ibogaine is a natural dextox treatment to be administered by a medical professional. The total cost was $6500.00 for a 7 day stay. She was flown into San Diego, CA on Oct. 17th and picked up at the airport and driven to the center in Mexico. She had her birth certificate and driver's license to get across the border.
On arrival she was given Oxycodone because she was going through withdrawal. She had to sign a consent for treatment. There was no certified professional in sight. The place was completely empty, no food , nothing or other than one other person there for treatment. We were told that the owner, Charles Johnson, wasn't there either. We phoned him and he said he was in Texas for a marketing meeting. We found out later that he actually lives in Texas and conducts his business from there and answers all the phone calls and emails that come in from there.
He was wanting to know about the wire transfer because it wasn't at his bank yet and they wanted to start treatment (this was at 3:30 pm). the address he gave us for the wire transfer was Ctibank California, Safe Haven Center, 7139 Kester Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91405. Come to find out there is no building at that address. The only correct thing he gave us was the routing # and Account #. He told us that a doctor was coming in to give our daughter the Ibogaine and someone would be with her throughout the night making sure all went well.
Also, they took her cell phone from her so she couldn't contact us or take pictures. Our daughter stated that no doctor come in that night and the person that was in the room with her left to go sleep. When she was given Ibogaine by this lay person, there was dogs barking throughout the night. We were also told that she was being disruptive and needed to leave. She was upset because some man searched her belongings and supposedly found a vial of heroin. She yelled at this man one time and told him he was a liar.
She was there to get off heroin and very willing and excited to. Because of this they took her to the airport on Friday, Oct. 18th to come back home. She missed her connector and spent the night in the airport in Phoenix and arrived on Saturday, Oct. 19th at 4pm into Detroit. No money has ever been refunded to us and no phone call was made to us by Charles Johnston. Once he gets your money he has no intention on following through with what's stated in his website. Don't send your loved one here! It all a scam!
Safe Haven Ibogaine
San Diego ,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, April 15, 2014
This is to clarify some misinformation that has been posted about Safe Haven Ibogaine Center:
As of October 2013, we are under new management and no longer associated with Charles Johnston or Randy McCurdy, so any negative experiences tied to them have been dealt with and these problems resolved.
As of October 2013, we changed locations and our new pictures are available on our website. We are no longer at the location with barking dogs (the neighbor was breeding dogs and we could not have them removed, so we moved locations so patients could have a more comfortable, peaceful experience).
The original poster was the family of a young girl that got treated at our clinic. She brought illegal drugs into our facility, threatened and assaulted our staff and was of course asked to leave. After her family posted the report, we offered to retreat her at no charge as long as a family member accompanied her to our facility to see that what she told them was not true. Her father came to the clinic with her, but after treatment we had similar issues with her and her father watched them happen and even agreed with us that she should be asked to leave. He agreed to post a retraction to his previous post, but we have been unable to get in contact with him post-treatment.
We have gone above and beyond to maintain a reputation of providing quality ibogaine therapy in a safe, medical setting. We will continue to do so because it is work that we see value in, that we love to do, and that we truly believe in.
If anyone has any questions about these reviews, or wants to speak with someone about our facility, please contact Jessica Bennett, at Safe Haven Center and she can provide you with the link to our forum where patients that have been through treatment have written about their experience here. Our doors are always open to anyone who wants to come check out the facility, our procedures and meet our medical staff. The important thing to us is that you get treated, and while we would love for you to come to our facility, we will happily recommend other reputable clinics for you to look into as well.
Ibogaine is an amazing medicine. It deserves more credit than is given, and posting to websites like this only scares people away from Ibogaine in general, when we should be encouraging each other and spreading the word of the healing properties this medicine holds.
rob
san diego,#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, March 16, 2014
I too went to the clinic in Rosarito, im 57 years old and have been doing heroin and opiates non-stop for the past 3-4 years. Tried everything to quit including cold turkey at least 10 times but to no avail- was at my wits end then heard about ibogaine, did some research and decided to give it a shot. interviewed several clinic directors in Mexico (as i live in san diego, very close by) and was impressed with Charles Johnston- he sounded like the real deal. made the arrangments and went down there- that was over 2 months ago. I pretty much doubted it would work but was desperate at that point. Met Charles and another patient and went to the clinic, hence my rebuttal- as I found the staff there professional, kind, knowledgable, the rooms were comfortable, beautiful views- but I was scared shitless as was the other patient (who is now a great friend talk every day). well guess my fears were unfounded as after the treatment as God is my witness i had and still dont have ANY WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS!! It is real, it works, it has changed my life! It's not a "magic bullet" as i did and still do have some insomnia- but thats nearly back to normal. NO LEG ACHES, DIARRHEA, VOMITING, COLD SWEATS, the list (if youve ever detoxed off opiates) goes on and on- had none of them- was eating huge meals 2 days after treatment (they have a great chef) IT IS A MIRACLE!!!! The most amazing part however is NO CRAVINGS! have to pinch myself everyday- kept expecting craving would come back- but to this day NONE! Hard to believe the bad experience i just read about, like were talking about 2 completely people / situations! I found Charles AND his staff to be caring and genuinely concerned about all my needs- i was VERY well taken care of, I look back on that week as a beautiful experience and the other patient i talk to every day? Feels they same way- my wife came down the last day and was terrified drivng in Mexico so Charles had one of his staff take a cab to the border and ride with her to the clinic- did he want extra for that? Not at all- a very kind act as far as I'm concerned. We sat on our porch overlooking the ocean and saw whales breeching, dolphins, took long walks on the beach- 2 DAYS INTO MY "DETOX"!! tell me that isnt short of a miracle. I have been and will always be grateful to Charles, Randy, Carlos, the Doctors and nurses, maids, chefs- all of them for their assist into my new life. May God Bless Charles and his staff. Robert W.
Michael
brockport,#4Consumer Comment
Fri, March 14, 2014
It seems ibogain made these ppl trip a lil to hard... i went to safe haven in june last yr. Let me tell you i had a blast. Everything about that place, ppl, & experience was awesome. The place was mint, on the beach in baja wat more do u want. Rockin 4wheelers everywhere layin in the sun while my body adjusted to being normal again after 5 yrs. Its safe dont let anyone scare u i mean i had a iv in me a heart monitor n the dr a nurse n a one other medical guy was there right outside my door n came in a couple time throughout the night.
Ibogain itself suxs but they made it comfortable. The owners were always there all 3 of em at the time. Charles jonston connected w me on a emotional level that let me know i wasnt alone n my life was about to start, love that guy. BB thats my dude, we kicks it like we were boys for yrs. N randy conected w me on a intelectual level, talked about some deep s***. These ppl everything about that place is the reason i dont even crave a pill or give a s*** about drugs anymore. I always love them n never forget them. It sounds to me this lady is sour cuz her daughter half a**ed it n brought drugs n probally relapsed.
Somer
Olympia,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, March 03, 2014
About three months ago, I stayed at Charles Johnston's new facility, the Ibogaine University. Charles was extremely accommodating and empathetic, not to mention professional. The facility was lovely, with a beach front view. Charles employed very professional nurses, helpers, doctors, et cetera. I would refer anyone there, for the treatment I received has saved my life! The price was reasobable for a week long stay and the follow-up care has been outstanding. If it weren't for Charles and the Ibogaine University I don't know that I would be alive today. My heroin and methadone addiction spanned 15 years and led me to imprisonment and homelessness. Now, I am back in college and present for my husband and two children. In addition, I no longer smoke or drink alcohol. I have been resurrected from the dead and every day I thank God for Charles Johnston and The Ibogaine University.
Lusitania
Boston,#6Consumer Comment
Wed, February 05, 2014
Yes, it's true that Charles Johnston is no longer at Safe Haven.
But the Dr is the same, so is the owner. Jessica is using drugs btw. Ask her !!
RogueMuse
Colorado,#7Consumer Comment
Thu, January 30, 2014
Before I went to Safe Haven, I had read some of the reviews, and I was a little concerned. I had a friend that had gone and the treatment was successful for him so I didnt put too much stock into the negative reviews. I had been on oxycontin for 2 years and was depserate to find something that would work but wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get scammed. But after speaking to the new treatment coordinator (her name is Jessica) she assured me that those problems that people were posting about stemmed from Charles Johnston who was the previous treatment coordinator. She said that he was let go from the company because of all of the problems that they had with him and he apparently went and started his own clinic (I dont know the name) I was still a little skeptical but it seemed like the best place for me, so I gave it a shot.
The employees at Safe Haven (the owner, the medical staff, and the treattment coordinator) were all some of the most caring, helpful people I have ever met. Having the medial staff there throughout my treatment really put my mind at ease. Dr. Silva answered all of my questions before I started the treatment and the nurses were super attentive. If I needed anyting, they were right there. I'm not sure what the person who previously posted is talking about when they said the pictures on the website aren't what the clinic really looks like. The pictures at the bottom of the home page were pictures of the clinic that I stayed at. I believe Jessica said they have two different clinics (one that they rent out when someone wants a private place with no other patients). But the one that I stayed at was beautiful, clean... Carlos (the cook) made meals for all of us each day... The day after I did the Ibogaine I was really exhausted and rested in the hot tub and went to the spa for a back massage (the spa is BEAUTIFUL by the way... right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. super relaxing) The remainder of my time there we went horseback riding on the beach, went out souvenir shopping in town and the owner and the treatment coordinator took our group out to dinner before we left.
I can honestly say my experience was great, and I left feeling better than I ever had before.
I just wanted to post something letting people know my experience - I would reccommend this center to anyone who needs treatment for their addiction. It sounds like they may have had an issue with some of their past employees but I was treated recently, and they were great.
RogueMuse
Colorado,#8Consumer Comment
Thu, January 30, 2014
Before I went to Safe Haven, I had read some of the reviews, and I was a little concerned. I had a friend that had gone and the treatment was successful for him so I didnt put too much stock into the negative reviews. I had been on oxycontin for 2 years and was depserate to find something that would work but wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get scammed. But after speaking to the new treatment coordinator (her name is Jessica) she assured me that those problems that people were posting about stemmed from Charles Johnston who was the previous treatment coordinator. She said that he was let go from the company because of all of the problems that they had with him and he apparently went and started his own clinic (I dont know the name) I was still a little skeptical but it seemed like the best place for me, so I gave it a shot.
The employees at Safe Haven (the owner, the medical staff, and the treattment coordinator) were all some of the most caring, helpful people I have ever met. Having the medial staff there throughout my treatment really put my mind at ease. Dr. Silva answered all of my questions before I started the treatment and the nurses were super attentive. If I needed anyting, they were right there. I'm not sure what the person who previously posted is talking about when they said the pictures on the website aren't what the clinic really looks like. The pictures at the bottom of the home page were pictures of the clinic that I stayed at. I believe Jessica said they have two different clinics (one that they rent out when someone wants a private place with no other patients). But the one that I stayed at was beautiful, clean... Carlos (the cook) made meals for all of us each day... The day after I did the Ibogaine I was really exhausted and rested in the hot tub and went to the spa for a back massage (the spa is BEAUTIFUL by the way... right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. super relaxing) The remainder of my time there we went horseback riding on the beach, went out souvenir shopping in town and the owner and the treatment coordinator took our group out to dinner before we left.
I can honestly say my experience was great, and I left feeling better than I ever had before.
I just wanted to post something letting people know my experience - I would reccommend this center to anyone who needs treatment for their addiction. It sounds like they may have had an issue with some of their past employees but I was treated recently, and they were great.
Terrah
Illinois,#9Consumer Comment
Fri, January 24, 2014
A few months ago i was a patient at this ibogaine clinic and had a horrendous experience. Charles Johnston told me lies to get me to send my money and the Dr was criminally negligent. His name is Dr. Carlos Silva and because of Safe Haven I suspended my sleep aids and antidepressants from one day to the next. This caused a medical condition which is called tardive diskenesia and I am now disabled . I keep in touch with some of the staff and they told me horror stories of drs neglecting patients. One of the staff at safe have was even accused of sexual misconduct!!
Other issues I encountered;
No fresh linen , dirty floors
No food only chicken or tilapia with rice everyday
No activities , no schedule
Staff sleeps in while patients fend for themselves
Website looks nothing like actual facility
No communication with patients, no comunication allowed with families
Nothing is ever on time r
Too many staff disputes
Dogs barking constantly keeps patients awake and is horrible to listen to during ibogaine
Staff drinking in front of patients
Doctors cannot write scripts - drs dont care about patients
Very few staff speak English, nurse with me during iboga didn't speak any English
Do not get treatment with Dr. Silva or Charles!!! They dont care about patients at all!!!
anonymous
san diego,#10UPDATE Employee ..inside information
Sat, December 14, 2013
I USED TO WORK FOR THEM. THEY ARE THE BIGGEST CHEATERS THEY LIE, STEAL AND RIP OFF EVERYONE.'
PLEASE DO NOT GO NEAR THERE.
andrew
Arizona,#11Consumer Comment
Tue, October 29, 2013
Charles is not the owner he is just the sales person and true he is a very rude person, but he is just a pawn. The true owners are Randy Mcurdy from texas and philipo pugliese, look them up I am sure they have a tale to follow along with Dr Silva which according to them is the medical expert which I did not meet ones.