My wife ended up at St Jude Retreat House due to an inability to control alcohol intake. There are pending legal issues as well as medical issues, acute pancreatitis. I also have struggled with addiction in the past and have attended several programs to correct this life issue. I do agree with the approach that St Jude puts out there and wish that they were capable of delivering. I am a successful and proud father of 4 and have learned to do what works for me and stay away from what does not. I was so hoping that my wife would pick up this skill set. She did graduate from the program, however, this is the only positive thing that would come from the experience. I did a lot of research before presenting my wife with this facility. The staff eased my fears regarding house rules and the structure provided. My wife and I had been together for almost 10 years and had no trust issues prior to her attending this retreat. We are now in the middle of a messy divorce. It turns out that a inappropriate relationship started while she was there with another man. The supervision and division of males and females is not enforced. Also, she was able to spend over $1800.00 at outlet stores and drain my bank account. She skipped the seminars she did not want to attend and laid out by the lake with no repercussions. Pictures were being sent back and forth from her phone at 2:00am of her and other male house guests. Lights out is 11:00pm? The staff showed no concern when this was brought to their attention. She now has no physical contact with 3 of 4 of our children, and the drinking has not stopped, I am not convinced that it ever did. This is a spa where people are paid to tell the afflicted person what they want to hear and justify their behavior. My soon to be ex-wife still has no accountability for her actions. Also, there is no family healing done at this facility. There are only 2 seminars daily. The rest of the time spent is relaxation and shopping. This place is not an effective option for those who really want to heal.
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