Serenity Recovery Centers

“You all did the best you could. My needs were impossible to meet, but you exceeded my expectations and I am so glad I came. At least now I have a sober place to start over from.”



Ian Dutt

First of all I'll begin by saying this place makes the best food you will ever have at a rehab center. It was honestly better than anything I've ever had at home. And it's all delicious soul food. THAT BEING SAID. This isn't the *worst* rehab you could go to in Memphis. And it's free. Yet there were a lot of problems with my stay. One they don't allow you to have any books...unless it's recovery related, yet you can watch movies that have nothing to do with recovery. There's really no recreation besides playing dominos and cards, which is really reminiscent of jail. (I caught myself calling the room a pod a few times). You can't have any musical instruments (my main problem but hey it's rehab) and there's really nothing to do during the day. It's not that bad but it is boring. My main problem with this place and the reason I left early is that the counselors really don't do much of anything. Most of the groups consist of them bitching at you for not following the rules (you guys aren't men blah blah blah you go to the bathroom at the wrong time) and you get little instruction on actual recovery. They force you to sit through what they call SLEEPY JOE which is a movie that seems like it's from the 80's of an old black man who speaks in monotone for about an hour and a half. If you like biblical humor, you're in for a treat. I stayed for two weeks and did not speak to my counselor ONE TIME privately. I was told that this was MY FAULT of course. I'm not saying that these guys get paid enough, but it seems like a collection of a government check more than actual helping. I also asked SEVERAL times to be tested for HIV, Hep, etc. I was told over and over again that they would get back to me on that. Which is pretty much the response you're going to get when you ask for anything. And I was not tested the entire time. Which if you're unsure whether or not you have AIDS this creates even more stress on you when you're coming off drugs and being forced to watch stupid movies all day. If you can't afford a rehab like La Paloma or something nicer than this then by all means this is a good rehab for simply detoxing and deciding yourself that you want to quit. But if you're looking for a place where the counselors are going to to actually work with you to see what it is YOU need to get sober this is the wrong place.

I have never commented on a rehab or any treatment center. I am a person searching for help with recovery, but I am also a licensed therapist.... so, I know what people in this field have to deal with, and I forgive them for quite a bit of nonsense. However, I called two weeks ago, and I was told to continue calling back every day until a bed opened up.... I realized after about a week of calling that they might be giving me the run around... I stayed sober for 15 days trying to get in, when I could have been in a safe treatment environment. After 15 days, I am not able to get through to the woman I was in contact with, anymore. This is absurd. I have gone through withdrawals alone. I have done my first two weeks alone. I understand that people have to want to get better before they can get better.... but guess what, I have always been the perfect patient that WANTS to get better... and I have never gotten the chance to at this place. Our government dollars are wasted on this place, because they do not try to help those that actually want help. I guess I need to get myself arrested to gain access to a bed here, because asking for help is useless.

Beautiful housing facilities and very friendly staff!!!!