The Right Step – DFW Central

I was on the fence about writing this review because I was not a patient, but was there for a training as a professional in the industry, and have spoken extensively on several occasions with Right Step on how they can assist my specific client demographics. While I can’t speak to what it is like on the other side, I was very impressed with what I did see while I was there. This organization has a real understanding that addiction is not a moral failing but has more to do with coping with various neurobiological, social, family, and mental health issues. That by itself if a great thing. The last thing people need is for someone to play the shame card. While I personally do not mix faith in with my practice, it seems like they truly approach things from a scientific basis and I love that they really want to see people get better, back on their feet, and thrive. The facility is not the fanciest you’ve ever seen, but it is well kept and it is a place I would not think twice about sending my clients to. The staff are passionate about their jobs and that gives me peace of mind to know that I can put the people who put their trust in me into safe hands.

First, let me apologize for this novel of a review. I actually went to Right Step, and want to let everyone know about my experience there as thoroughly as possible. So here we go!
Right Step is amazing all around. All of the staff work their hardest to help each patient individually. You aren’t just another paycheck for them, you are treated like a real person. Everyone from intake to discharge knows your name and is always willing to help in any way they can. Even before you go to get admitted, just inquiring about them is a pleasant experience. I was extremely wary about even the idea of going to rehab, and they were champs at easing all of my worries and answering all of my questions. My insurance didn’t want to let them admit me, but they somehow got it to work, which I am eternally grateful for.
The nurses and doctor are very good at explaining things to you and make you feel heard. The counselors and RA’s (who are the people you are with on a daily basis) are AWESOME. I could go on for days about how amazing they are at everything they do. They go above and beyond what is expected of them. (Pretty sure it’s not a part of their job to go on store runs for patients, but they were happy to do that on multiple occasions when I was there)
Everyone there wants the best for you, and they do a great job of guiding you through your early recovery. They applaud all of your successes and are very supportive when you’re having a rough time. They make every effort possible to help you not feel «trapped» or like you have nowhere to go (getting to go to offsite activities and meetings, being allowed to go outside, and being able to earn the privilege of going on a «pass» are just a few of the things that seriously helped me feel at ease about feeling trapped). I was there in the summer, and we even got snow cones a couple of times!
Granted, this is in no way a «luxury» rehab, but it’s not a «we take everyone and don’t care about you as an individual» type of rehab either. You have to remember that, just like you, the other people there are sick. Most of the patients I was there with were really amazing people, but there’s always lemons. That in NO WAY reflects the facility or ANYONE that works there. I can’t promise that you’ll get along with everyone that works there, but it’s pretty likely. They’re really easy to get along with. Sometimes it’s tough love, but they always have your best interest at heart.
The facility itself is very clean and well maintained. It does look a little bit like a hospital, and there definitely aren’t sleep number beds, but you can’t expect the Taj Mahal when insurance is a major part of their funding. The food is actually pretty good, and they always have a couple of options at each meal. (Plus they let you bring your own pillows, blankets, food, pretty much anything within reason when you get admitted.) There were between 30 and 40 patients at its busiest when I was there, and it honestly felt more like 20.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND when you go there, it’s YOUR recovery, so YOU have to work at it too, and you truly get out of it what you put in to it. YOU HAVE TO BE AN ACTIVE PART OF YOUR RECOVERY IF YOU WANT TO WANT A GOOD EXPERIENCE! And just like normal life, it’s expected that you follow the rules and do what is expected of you. You aren’t going to get to skate on by, or get to do what you want all day. There is REAL work and REAL expectations. Nobody is perfect, and if you make an effort, they are great at bridging the gap. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality rehab (not just in Texas, anywhere in the US) but that can’t afford a $ 50,000 treatment program. Even if you aren’t sure, it’s definitely worth looking in to.
Also, to address the negative reviews:
When I was there, Kayla was an RA in the adolescents unit. Obviously, if you’re in the adolescent unit you’re in a little bit different of a situation because you’re a minor. I was in the adult unit, so I can’t speak for that situation specifically, but Kayla was around a few times with us, and she is a really nice girl. Additionally, I HIGHLY DOUBT that there were bounty hunters «breaking in at night and physically assaulting and detaining patients» unless the patients were a harm to themselves or others. Not gonna lie, there was an incident where police were there when I was in treatment. It was because a patient needed to be taken to a psychiatric hospital. NOBODY there made a big deal about it, and it was handled VERY professionally. And YES, there ARE probably mentally ill patients there. I am bipolar and I was there. They are a dual diagnosis facility. However, getting «kicked out in the middle of the night» seems very unlikely unless you broke a cardinal rule (like trying to run away or bringing drugs in) and even THEN I have a really hard time believing that they just dropped you like a bad habit like people are making it seem.

When I entered this facility, I received a warm welcome from the receptionist & that small gesture helped put me more at ease while I was sitting on the couch waiting to be admitted. which helped put me at ease since I was already apprehensive about having to enroll myself into a drug rehab facility. I truly believe the staff care about their patients.