New Bridge Foundation

Dont be fooled by their nice looking website and other reviews. New Bridge is run by unprofessional, rude, careless, selfish, and arrogant staff and director. They gave me a run around, changed their words twice on me, gave dishonest answers, created unnecessary issues and delayed my recovery program. Going to New Bridge was a stressful and awful experience. They cost me money, time, and confusion. The director is not right in the head and gave inaccurate information and lied to me. Its obvious he is ignorant and likely homo-​phobic. I do not recommend this rehab. I love the rehab I am in and so grateful that I didnt get stuck in New Bridge as I have learned from other friends that went to New Bridge and said how awful it was, the food is disgusting, and the staff is not caring nor proffessional. Numerous other people in the last weeks have said similarly and I am so grateful that I did not go to New Bridge! They delayed my recovery program and caused nothing but problems and are totally dishonest and careless. BE CAUTIOUS WITH YOUR CHOICE ON NEW BRIDGE!!!

First and foremost. I’m sure the intentions of Newbridge are positive. However I cannot say the same about how the COUNSELORS run the program.
HOLLY WEBB. A counselor at Newbridge. Has told me, ‘quote’ — «I don’t care about what goes on with my clients outside of this place. I only care about what goes on within. I’ve seen clients walk out of here hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and they’re just fine.»
So what I’m understanding is they only care about their paying clients while they’re in and after they’re out and not paying anymore they don’t care?
HOLLY WEBB has said that to me multiple times. When I mean multiple I mean more than once. Not only has she said that, she never returns phone calls nor does she not give updates to her client/​s family and friends on any progress made.
Having a loved one enrolled in Newbridge and handling his/​her finances while they’re recovering, I would imagine the ‘COUNSELORS’ would care about their clients overall well being. Especially if it’s in regards to personal finances!
How is it responsible for them to let their clients go into debt while in rehabilitation? Do you think getting out of Newbridge with a ton of debt would positively impact their clients lives?
Again I’m sure the CEO, the directors, and most others mean well for their clients. But the experience I’m having with them is more than terrible.
I would hope to see changes on how their program is ran. Or better qualified COUNSELORS that actually want to help and not just sit there and collect pay checks.
For all future clients. Feel free to contact me on any questions you may have on how my experience has been thus far dealing with Newbridge.

Newbridge was sold to our family as a «dual diagnosis» treatment center for our son. From the start, we wondered if they were truly able to work with those with mental health diagnoses as well as addiction. There is little understanding or support for dealing with the needs of those living with mental illness. Within one week, instead of helping our son to allieviate his anxiety, they escalated the situation, and ended up kicking him out onto the street, with no money, no phone, and no discharge plan. They told me they «couldn’t keep him against his will», when in fact they were not willing to help him. I will be pursuing legal action for the danger and anguish they caused him and our family. Do not go to New Bridge if you or your loved one have a serious dual diagnosis condition!

New Bridge One functions as a cult — they use cult-​like tactics for controlling their needy and helpless residents — they isolate them and manipulate them emotionally. They do not support young people going to college. They lack published data on their long term residential program — From time to time the inhabitants engage in sexual relations which will eventually lead the offenders to be removed but the damage to the others is already done — they lack proper in-​house supervision. Any pre-​diagnosed psychiatric conditions are ignored and they use their counselors who mostly do not hold advanced degrees but rather are past inhabitants. Their ‘therapeutic community’ model resembles Synanon. They request assets of the participants. It is very sad and like the condition itself of alcohol and drug use, it destroys families and lacks empathy towards those affected by the disease. If considering, look into a more medically based community — e.g. John Muir.

I’m sort of surprised by some of the extremely negative reviews of New Bridge. I know that it’s a tough program, and it doesn’t work for everyone, but my belief is that it has helped many, many people to deal with addiction.
But I can only speak with authority on my own situation. My daughter recently went through the program and is now putting her life back together. It hasn’t been easy. She entered New Bridge having tried just about every drug, and addicted to pot and Oxycontin. She hated the rigid structure, but came to understand that without it her life would whirr out of control. She fought with staff that she later came to trust and respect. At one point she even became disgusted enough to leave the program; she was back in two months, of her own choosing, wanting to get ahold of both her drug and alcohol addiction.
She worked hard this second stint at NB, and is doing better than she has in years. The work she did in group was really valuable, and the «rough» treatment that some other people have mentioned enabled her to deal with many of the life circumstances that could kick her into using again. She had rules to follow, and other people to be accountable to; she had to deal with frustrating situations; she had to handle being called a «spoiled, entitled little brat» by other clients. But she did handle it, and had to own that some of the charges were true. She dealt with how she had trouble dealing with fear and sadness, always turning it to anger and going off on tirades about «the Man.»
None of this was easy for my wife and me, but we never doubted for a moment that she was in a safe place that had her recovery and, therefore, her life, as the top priority. She is now in their aftercare program, living in a nice apartment in a great neighborhood, has a decent job, goes to 12-​step meetings, and hangs out with other graduates of New Bridge. They help to keep each other clean and sober. We see her as often as her busy life allows, and feel blessed to be building a joyful relationship with the girl that we feared we might lose.
Is this an easy program? No. Do addicts lie, cheat, steal, and have to learn how to lose those behaviors? Absolutely; even if it means being strongly confronted or being forced to stand in front of a mirror for a few hours. Is AA a viable alternative to New Bridge? Yes, for some, and I’m happy that there are addicts who don’t need any more than that. But my daughter needed much, much more. She needed New Bridge Foundation, and I’m grateful every day of my life that she was, and still is, part of the NB family. My wife, son, and I are also part of that family, and are really happy to be so.

Yes, its a very hard program. If you have an attitude, it is even harder. It takes all you have to complete the program and graduate. But it is well worth it. I had my doubts… but now I am grateful. Almost all of the counselors at New Bridge have gone through the program (or another). So they do understand what the clients are going through. And they also are sympathetic. They truly care. I still go back to visit, catch up, and get a free meal sometimes. I would honestly be in jail or dead if I didn’t go to New Bridge. Thank you family!

I can understand the multitude of negative reviews that New Bridge has gotten here. This is not a place you come to for fun. Or to relax, or get pampered, or to take a breather from the rigorous trials of active addiction. This is a RECOVERY program for DRUG ADDICTS. You come here to change your entire life, and it’s not an easy process.
I entered Bridge 1 (the long term program; at the time it was 1+ year to graduate, now I believe it is 6+ months) in 2005 as a condition of probation, with a mandate to complete 6 months of treatment (I later extended my contract for the opportunity to complete the full program). I was 21 years old and had no previous experience with recovery. I was on the START program, which meant that my mom paid out of pocket for treatment. I had skipped college due to my disease, so this was kind of like my college experience. I am exceedingly grateful for this. As of this writing, I have just celebrated 8 years clean (in a row, weekends included), and among others, I have New Bridge to thank.
I addition to providing the tools I needed to start self-​structuring my life with positive interactions with others and healthy behaviors, New Bridge introduced me to 12-​step programs. New Bridge’s core beliefs mirror the spiritual principles found in the 12-​steps, and they often remind us that statistics favor those who regularly attend a 12-​step fellowship after treatment when it comes to maintaining long-​term recovery.
As opposed to the short-​term program at Bridge 2 (28 days usually, with other in– and out-​patient services), the clients at Bridge 1 «run the house.» Everybody has a job function, and when functioning properly (healthy interaction between clients and proactive group participation by the majority of the house), staff prefers to let the clients use the tools of the program to support each other. Staff regularly runs therapy and conflict resolution groups, and has a presence in the house at all times. At times when the house is functioning in an unhealthy manner, staff will step in to redirect the focus with consequences, though it is still up to the clients to become proactive participants in their own peer-​support therapy.
I said it already, but it bears repeating. This is NOT an easy program. The structure is often referred to as «behavior modification,» though I don’t know if this language is still current. There are rules. A million, unwritten rules that seem to change at random, and varying degrees of consequence. «What the hell? How am I supposed to deal with that?» you might ask. My experience is that most of us – especially those of us coming from institutions – become very adept at blending into the woodwork. The disease of addiction causes tremendous turmoil in our lives, but we still manage to hide it from others. With the New Bridge program being as it is, EVERYBODY will get «focus» during their treatment. It is impossible to finish the program without breaking rules or dealing with conflict among fellow clients. There are consequences attached to everything. It is said often in 12-​step that we are «as sick as our secrets.» What this process does is it illuminates the shadows of our diseased thinking and patterns of behavior that are self-​destructive and isolating. Everything eventually comes out into the open, and we begin to see that we can live a life without secrets. We also learn how to be accountable for our actions, and how to interact with others in ways that aren’t selfish and destructive.
I give it four stars cause sometimes the food sucks, but after spending a total of 22 months learning how to live in the world with my disease, and building on that foundation for the next 6 years and counting, I have an amazing life and I can do about anything I want to do. Including going to 4-​star restaurants (which i never did when I was using…).
If you or someone you know is considering New Bridge as a foundation of recovery, just remember this: «It works if you work it.»

It works. Period. This place is tough but if you’re willing to do the work, its all worth it.

Without this program, I would probably be dead or in jail. I came to new bridge homeless, broken and spiritually bankrupt. I needed help desperately and was out of options. The counselors and clients at new bridge changed my whole perspective and taught me the tools to overcome my addiction. This was only the beginning of my journey to recovery, but without it I would not be in this healthy place I have arrived in my life. Addiction and Alcoholism are painful and difficult to overcome. Many people do not come through. t takes hard work and a miraculous strength from within to be successful. For me, New Bridge nurtured this realization and provided an environment and structure in which I could discover my own determination. No one can do this for you, but if you don’t want to do it alone, this is the place.

Quite simply, if it were not for The Newbridge Foundation I am not sure Imy brother would be alive, he has been in recovery since 2007. His 30 days in treatment and 1 year outpatient sober living experience in Bridge 2, not only saved him, but it saved our family as well. I can not stress enough what those family meetings did for us all and how much more understanding we have now about the disease of addiction. My family’s recovery continues because of the amazing staff that we encountered during the year at Newbridge. Not to say that the work is done, it never quite is, but the tools and language we were exposed to, help us continue in recovery and watch as our relationship as a family just strengthens with time. The support we received as a family did not end with the amazing graduation ceremony we were privileged to attend. So, when I read those mean spirited remarks made in the 2 posts of June 7, I wonder what on earth they are talking about. Nothing in our experience comes close to anything they describe. In fact all of our experiences are totally opposite. The saddest part for me is that someone who could benefit from the wonderful work done at Newbridge would choose to not partake because of comments that clearly are made by someone with a personal grievance. Not fair to Newbridge or to an addict that may very well be helped by the same facility that gave us back our lives.

As a professional, I’ve referred to New Bridge Foundation several times. They have never let me down. New Bridge has worked wonders for clients that have had treatment in several other places as well as clients who never went into treatment before. I really appreciate the wonderful staff, many of whom are in recovery. They are professional, compassionate, knowledgeable and responsive!