BURKWOOD TREATMENT CENTER

I arrived at Burkwood with little beyond a few days sober, years of resentment, fears and enough anger to fuel a Virginia Class Submarine. Those defects of my character were then amplified by the very bright confines that is a part of life there. My first three weeks I somehow managed to avoid conflict and create the illusion that I was addressing the issues that brought me. Miss Kelly abruptly interrupted that. I was hoping for a spiritual awakening and ended getting a rude awakening by her firm, fair and factual assessment of me, my ineffective coping skills and my behavior. Our initial meeting was turbulent, intense and invoked the same old mentality in me that has crippled me for decade. I wanted to run. As I was planning to do just that I was prodded by a woman sitting next to me to consider that this “running” is what I always do. Perhaps actually working through it is a better plan of attack. That was the moment that change took root on fertile soil inside me. Miss Cheryl lovingly put the cookies on a shelf that I was able to reach them, digest them and allow them to work in and through me. Cheryl taught me, and others, that thoughts and emotions are not a call to action. Simple yet mysteriously evasive prior to being blessed enough to be her pupil. Cheryl and Kelly are irreplaceable as counselors as well as human beings. They not only sewed solids seeds of recovery in me but they gave two boys their father back. I am beyond grateful’

My brother was just a client there and was discharged for fraternizing with a female client. In his case this fraternizing was working out and sitting next to one another often during groups and eating lunch together once. Fitness and diet are an important part of his recovery and each morning he would get up at 5 and work out by himself for two hour and eventually people joined him male and this female patient joined him. After every meal he would power walk and do lunges and squats and other things by himself and his dedication made others want to participate because fitness was something they wanted to do too and it is easier to stay committed with encouragement and a partner. The female client was focussed and committed and joined him most often. There was never any inappropriate behavior, nothing romantic or sexual in nature but simple proximity. He also expressed his sadness and disappointment with how another 20 year old client was discharged to his counselor in his primary group. This resulting in a meeting with the entire clinical team where he was told in no less words to shut up or be discharged. The next day he was. They told him at 5:00pm he had to leave. He isn't from Wisconsin and has no family there. When he couldn't find a ride or anywhere to go on such short notice the clinical director said that there was no more time and dropped him off in Hudson with no money no plan and nowhere to go. It was below freezing or darn near. He Sat at Walmart for hours with a broken phone. No aftercare plan was set up for him. No shelter or safe sober place was even suggested to him. In less than an hour he was expected to come up with one by himself with no resources. He never missed a group and participated fully and was never given warnings for infractions of policies. Never failed a UA or was found to have contraband. Never violent or aggressive or refuse to comply with directives. Nope he had an opinion and motivated others to better their physical health.

So my experience here was an amazing life changing moment, that is leading the way for me to be successful in my Recovery. From every single RA to the kitchen staff, and everyone else that works there. My counselor was Jon, he was funny, blunt, caring and very smart. Im grateful to have met him. Cheryl and Kelly may seem like tough cookies, but they are god sent human beings that want nothing but the best for each and everyone of you. I see the hate in the comments..... The program is simple, follow the rules, learn, participate, and dont waste a bed for people that really want this!. I highly recommend this place to everyone. Im blessed i got the chance. Thank you to every single person at Burkwood. Love yall Sincerely-- Anthony Dentz

My time at Burkwood was amazing, to say the least. The staff were great and it truly is up to you if you want this place to help you! Take what you can from it and be grateful. Reading some of these horrible reviews is crazy to me! It’s not a vacation - for a treatment center it’s pretty damn nice! The classes do get a little monotonous, but for the most part were engaging and helpful. My counselor Derek was the absolute best and the RAs Diane, William, Kristin, Aidan and Ashley were genuine and helpful. They are heavily rooted in AA which I thought I would hate at first, but if you’re just open-minded and listen to what speaks to you it’s not too shabby. They helped me set up IOP and sober living after and I’m enjoying the beginning of my sober life thus far. Thank you Burkwood ❤️

Burkwood has a very knowledgeable & compassionate staff who care about their clients well-being. Their curriculum is insightful and will equip you with practical skills in order to live a healthy sober life. They approach addiction treatment in an objective manner using scientific research to guide them and will work with you the best they can, especially if you're putting in the effort yourself. I whole-heartedly recommend Burkwood to anyone seeking treatment for a substance abuse disorder.