Westwind Recovery — Local services in Los Angeles

I don’t have the words to express my gratitude for Westwind Recovery. When I relapsed this last time, I was adamant about not going back into treatment because “I know everything there is to know about getting clean and sober. My life won’t change in any meaningful way by seeking treatment”. Boy, was I wrong! I graduated from the program on 06/14/24, and my life is forever changed from my experience at Westwind. Westwind gave me the tools, knowledge, space and support to learn about myself and my disease. This, in turn, allowed me to grow in ways I never thought imaginable. Daily programming, weekly therapy, outings, and safe housing gave me the structure, safety and fun I needed to come back to life and breathe easy for the first time in a very long time. Additionally, the dedicated, experienced staff always went above and beyond my wildest expectations to make sure I felt at home, seen and heard.

Sean - thank you for encouraging me to speak up for myself, and for listening to me when voicing my truth. I am endlessly grateful.

Anna, Ryan, Thorsen, Joey, Kiinicki, Payton, Nelly, Jake, and my house managers - thank you for advocating for me and making sure that I felt heard and safe in the houses. I always felt comfortable coming to each of you individually, and I can’t thank you enough for giving me a safe space to become myself.

Carli – thank you for being you, and for all you have done for me. As my therapist, you helped me bloom. I don’t think I’ll ever have the words to adequately thank you for creating an environment in which I discovered who I am, Transfemme. I didn’t know it at the time, but finding myself while in this program was truly the most important and pivotal moment of my life and recovery. I am so, so grateful - thank you, thank you, thank you!

My Clarity group facilitators, Richard, Mikey, and Carli – thank you all for making a safe space for the LGBT community at Westwind. In this group I made so many friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. I learned so much in this core group and can’t thank each of you enough for all you do.

Maia – thank you so much for all the knowledge and wisdom you bring to Westwind and my life. I wish I had started going to your group sooner but am thrilled that I joined when I did. I value your steadfastness to privacy surrounding the group members and its nature. This confidentiality truly made all the difference and allowed me to upon up about topics and circumstances that I normally would not – this group changed my life. It was truly an honor being in your group. I am eternally grateful.

Group facilitators, especially McKenna, Sue, Danka, and Melissa – I am grateful for you each individually, as you all made my stay at Westwind worthwhile. Each of you brings a different skillset and knowledge to the program, and I am a better person after attending your groups. Thank you for giving me the tools and lessons I need to remain sober and thrive in recovery.

Thanks to this program, I truly underwent a psychic shift, spiritual awakening and found my higher power. I never thought it would happen to me but am so honored and grateful that it did - I couldn’t be happier! I entered Westwind broken, defeated and scared. I left Westwind whole, feeling victorious, self-assured, and myself – Dove. I am truly inspired by my time at Westwind, so much so that I made the decision to go into Recovery as a career path, myself. If I can give another addict or alcoholic even a small portion of the support, growth and freedom I got through this program, it would be a dream come true and life well lived.

I highly recommend Westwind for the addict and alcoholic, or anyone suffering from poor mental health. This program truly changed my life for the better, and I know it can do the same for you.

With...

I only spent a week at Westwind, so I can't review the program as a whole. I do feel it’s important to share my initial observations to others who might be making a decision for themselves or a loved one.

*This program did not feel geared towards adult professionals and it didn't feel like there was much flexibility to accommodate.

*If you have a car and want to drive to groups every day, be prepared to search for a 2-hour max parking spot, pay for it, and spend all day stressing about when to refill the meter or move your car. This is very distracting when you're trying to focus on groups and recovery. A place this size should have parking for their clients, period.

There are TONS of clients here - I’d guess somewhere between 60-70 and 95% of those clients reside in their sober living houses. I felt like an immediate outsider because I live at my home.

When I showed up for group on my first day it was overwhelming, and felt a lot like I was entering my first day of high school with very little guidance. I felt like a random face in a random hallway not knowing which class to go to or how to get there (they have three fairly large groups going on at one time all throughout the day, and your group schedule changes day to day). The groups I attended were okay. Not great. Not terrible. Just okay. Again, I didn't have much time to get familiar with the groups, but I've been in recovery long enough to know the difference between a good group and a lazy one.

The gossip between clients was immediate, and it was REAL, and it was pretty much nonstop. The gossip I overhead indicates to me that Westwind is trying to shove way too many clients into their program and pack them into uncomfortably crowded sober living environments.

After one tiny slip, which I was open and honest about, they insisted I go to a sober living house otherwise I'd be discharged... THAT DAY. It was an immediate ultimatum that I had only hours to consider. (I have to presume they'd get more money from my insurance, but maybe that's just me being overly cautious of many programs claiming to want to help, but really just profiting off people's suffering). Is Westwind one of those places? I can't say for sure and I'm not saying they are. They claimed to care about my safety, justifying forcing me into sober living, but if I didn't agree to this, it's my ass to the curb. Is that really caring?

On a positive note... the core staff members who I dealt with personally were all great... helpful, communicative, and friendly (Stephanie, Jen, Chase). I was able to meet with my therapist one time, and she seemed exceptional. I believe her name was Emily, and I’m sad I won’t be able to continue working with her.

I need something more intimate and personalized according to each individual, and sadly this was not that...

I regret to share my troubling experience with West Wind Recovery Center, which I feel compelled to bring to light due to the unethical practices, lack of transparency, unprofessionalism and racism I encountered during my stay. I felt that the center was more concerned with financial gain than the well-being and recovery of its clients. As someone seeking help, I was subjected to treatment that was both dismissive and degrading which led me to a bad mental breakdown leading me to end up in a psych hospital. I observed a pattern of favoritism within the staff, with certain clients being given preferential treatment, while others, including myself, were often ignored or treated with indifference. This created an environment that was toxic and divisive, undermining any sense of trust and support that one might expect from a treatment facility. There were also alarming issues with transparency and consent. I was never adequately informed about the documents I was asked to sign, including a waiver that essentially prohibited me from seeking legal recourse should something go wrong. This lack of informed consent is not only unethical but also illegal. It is deeply concerning to me that the center would engage in such practices, especially considering the vulnerability of the individuals they are supposed to be helping. I noticed a disturbing pattern of racial discrimination. As a Black individual, I felt that I was treated differently than my peers, often dismissed or marginalized by staff members who seemed uninterested in providing equitable care. This behavior is unacceptable in any context, particularly in a facility that claims to support people in their recovery journey.the most concerning of all was the lack of genuine concern for the well-being of clients. It became clear to me that West Winds primary focus was on financial profit rather than offering compassionate and effective treatment. This was further demonstrated when clients were abruptly discharged without proper support or aftercare, leaving them stranded without resources or a plan for continued recovery. This lack of accountability and disregard for clients' mental and emotional well-being is both unethical and deeply harmful. I strongly advise anyone seeking treatment or rehabilitation to consider alternative facilities. The practices at West Wind Recovery Center are not only unprofessional, but they also raise serious ethical concerns that should not be ignored. I hope this review serves as a cautionary tale and encourages others to avoid this facility, as it does not appear to prioritize the health and safety of those it...