This review is my opinion only based on my experience with Schick Shadel alcohol treatment only. I may be off on some of my recollections. I admitted myself to Schick Shadel approximately 4 years ago. I was sold on the fact that Schick Shadel was a ten day program plus two one day follow ups. I was also told that the stay would cost approximately 10 to 12 thousand dollars. What I was not told was that if there is any detox time that this time and cost would be added to my stay. Therefore I had a twelve day stay. It appeared to me that most people spent some time in detox. This of course was an additional charge not covered by the quote. The two follow ups were also not covered in the original quote. As with a hospital you were also billed by the doctors who ""treated you."" Adversion therapy..is just that ...every other day or so you are given a shot and made to drink your favorite alcoholic beverage. This causes you to throw up....it is progressive, hence the first treatment may be 4 upchucks and the last treatment may be 18 to 20 if my memory serves me well. Not a great experience. It is my theory though that if you have a significant drinking problem that upchucking is no hinderance to your addiction and may effect some greater then others and is not a cure all. After you are given each individual treatment you are given time in your room to reflect and visited by a nurse who gives you a ""Duffy"" a concoction causing one last upchuck. On alternate days you are taken to a room given a shot and ""put under"" then asked questions and given some sort of suggestive therapy. You have no recollection of this treatment although you are given somewhat of a transcript when you check out. You are not allowed to eat prior to these treatments. Hopefully you can make lunch. The food was adequate. In the evening you attend lectures and recorded programs. Many times I experienced the same lecture and or recorded program the second time. These after dinner programs did not seem to have a consistant theme and I felt the time could have been used better. The cost of the program to me was significantly more then I was quoted. My insurance did not cover near the total. This to the point where I could not attend the two follow ups for purely financial reasons. You are encouraged to make a follow up plan. You are give some alternatives, most included some sort of group interaction other then AA despite their advertisments to the contrary. I have recommended Schick to others who have attended different programs.. Unfortunately the one that needed it most was told by his insurance company that coverage was denied. Schick is good about calling you for a report. They called it seems to me up to two years after my stay to see how I was doing. I of course told them fine. I hope this is not where they get their touted ""success record"" from as most alumi are going to say all is well. Finally, I was advised by several people at the facility that Pat O'Day owns a percentage of Schick Shadel, I know his son was working there I think in the sales department. I believe that in all fairness Mr. O'Day should disclose this fact, if accurate, during his ongoing commercials. I only know of two people who have attended this program both have lapsed. If you are addicted I think you should try anything necessary to become well. I also believe that you should go into any facility with all the facts. These are my opinions and recollections of my stay at Schick Shadel Hospital. I was prompted to write this review due to the ongoing commercials which tout this program. I recently heard a famous football and golf announcer tout the program. I also heard this person tout the Betty Ford Center (which is a significantly different program) on national radio, both were the best. Whatever works I guess. Ask the questions before you go. But go somewhere. These are my opinions and recollections only.
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