Recovery Works – Merrillville

I heard about this facility from a friend and I decided to give it a try. The program works really well if you put in the work. The food is great and the staff hold you accountable, the facility could be a little bit… cleaner but with one cleaning lady who puts in a lot of work what do you expect.This facility makes you feel like you will be ready to get out there on your own and succeed on your recovery journey.

This place is a complete joke. Where do I begin? This is not a recovery center this is a homeless shelter, all we did was color and listen to music. Melissa the RA manager never comes out of her office to help her… staff, they had 1 RA on the floor for 40 something patients, which I believe is unsafe. The DON Marlene prances around the building with her nose in the air flirting with the maintenance man Johnny all day, while her nurses barely can keep up because they’re short staff. The detox unit is a complete joke, barely have enough Gatorades for the patients, Is this really a good place for treatment? The entire time I was here I felt worse than I did before I came in. This place needs to be shut down, seems like the workers are just here for a check vs helping us recover. Don’t waste your time coming, you won’t get the service you need.

I left RW about 3-4 days ago. Much of the staff was helpful, EXCEPT FOR THE DISCHARGE CORDINATOR, KRYSTAL. Krystal will say one thing but do another, she took it upon herself to call the sober living my councilor and I… set up just to tell them my significant other and I were coming together(no we didnt meet in rehab). Resulting in him being black listed. The most unprofessional person ive ever met. Aside from her Everything was great.

Some of the most amazing people i graduated the program 3 years ago July 4th got my life back ❤️

I was in this program for over 40 days — 28 days at the main facility and 21 days in their PHP program. Unfortunately, my experience in PHP was extremely stressful and uncomfortable due to one staff member,… Stephanie(Muji). She constantly invades clients’ privacy and behaves as if she is running a prison instead of a recovery house for adults seeking help. Her approach creates a hostile environment that makes clients not even want to stay in treatment. I personally witnessed her encourage clients who showed signs of illness to AMA instead of helping them seek medical attention or figuring out what was causing the issue. She also roams the house throughout the night, repeatedly going in and out of clients’ rooms, which made many people uncomfortable. Her behavior was concerning and unprofessional. It is alarming that someone who reportedly fell down a full flight of stairs twice in the same day is still supervising vulnerable clients. The other staff members were much more caring, respectful, and supportive, and they actually made people want to continue their recovery journey. However, anytime Muji was working, the environment became tense and miserable. I would not recommend the PHP program if this staff member is still working there.

Php program is an absolute joke and a waste of time. It's like they pick staff random people off the street not even educated to deal with what US recovering addicts are going through.im looking at a law suit. They put… random women in the house even women that are dealing with severe mental health that should be in a mental hospital. They don't protect you while you're in their custody you're on your own. I have pictures and I have videos of me having to lock myself in my room with my roommate because they had a crazy person in the house and they still did absolutely nothing about it absolutely no authority at all. Every time I ask the PHP staff Rachel a question her answer is I don't know. Girls start to fighting and she just stands there like she's slow. I had to do her job so many times so it didn't escalate into the house fighting. And the PHP manager didn't do anything about it. No authority. They have an African American lady if I can recall her name is LP. Or LJ.She is outstanding!!!That place NEEDS her desperately. This place isn't going to last that long . Horrible horrible horrible horrible PHP. If you go I'm pretty sure you're going to get right back out and use 💯💯💯

I can't stand the negative reviews. YES I WAS THERE. Six months ago, I almost didn't stay but I did. Such incredible staff and an incredible program. Met some of the greatest people to ever want to change their life… around. Residential was amazing. PHP also an incredible program attended both with full support from all staff and peers. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND RECOVERY WORKS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BETTER THEMSELVES.

I can't leave 5 stars, but I can leave 4. This facility does have issues, but I did receive a call from the compliance manager, and she resolved my concerns and issues. So good work recovery works and keep up the good… work.

I give this a three, there are many employees there that sincerely care, and it very much shows. The unfortunate thing is they've had multiple CEOs, at least four in the last 3 years. I went there in January of 2020 and… stayed sober until June of 2023 when I had a family existential crisis on my hands. I just went a year, and had problems with the prescription medication and tolerance issues and went there to be detoxed using a different classification of medication. The detox portion of it was great. They use non-benzodiazepine medications and there aren't many places that do that. The problem is the disorganization. And that comes from the top. While I was there I saw their newest CEO get aggressive and hostile towards a client who is very quiet and soft spoke and regarding his tooth situation and him needing to go to the dentist. He was in excruciating pain for several days before they could even manage to get an appointment for him and he was asking something very simple, just what day was it that he was scheduled to go. Seems like a simple question, nursing and the doctor had written him a letter or put it on his chart that he needed to go to the dentist ASAP and it was over a week later before he got to go and he didn't lose his patience or his cool whatsoever even when the CEO belittled him in front of a group of people. Some of the groups are okay, there is definitely stuff there that you can learn, the therapists there are top notch. It gets disjointed because they change the schedule around, they've taken it all perks and anything that makes being stuck in that building for 28 days a little more pleasurable away completely. Meals are consistently 10 to 15 minutes late so people are just standing in the hallway for 20 minutes or so, and a lot of the time the food is undercooked, I had pink chicken, and the cook there told us that he runs the coffee through the grounds three times because of budgeting. The water coffee is pretty gross, they seemed to resolve that before I left which was nice. The worst part about it is the discharge coordination. I don't know that it's actually directly his fault, but for example I went there and said I need sober living on the second day I was there with a employee doing a pre-screen through zoom. I said that was my highest priority and the reason why I wanted to complete the 28-day program as opposed to just detox and stabilize. I told my therapist the same thing when I met with her the very next day. I told the discharge coordinator this and that I had to be in the city I live in because of my mom's condition and the fact that I am a primary caretaker. The only help I was given was something Google and a printer could do, I could have done the same thing on my own time. I discharged and was dropped off at a car lot that was closed, there was no checking to see if it was open, my car had been repaired and was there and I had to get it from the service center. The only thing I received as far as discharge coordination is concerned, was a printout of phone numbers. Asking to use the phone is nearly impossible. Part of it was not their fault because there was a windstorm, I was not given an application or phone numbers until I only had 9 days left. Come to find out there was a waiting list that other clients knew about at both locations that I would have went to. It would seem like the discharge coordinator would know that and prioritize me getting these applications and phone calls in instead of giving them to me last second. So I'm giving them with 8 days left and I was not giving the opportunity to use a phone until literally 3 days before my discharge, nobody relayed messages from the sober livings and I was discharged with nowhere to go and at a car lot that if they cared at all about the clients they would have at least checked to make sure the place was open. I will not return there. I have 11 plus years clean off of painkillers or any other drug. And in the last 6 years, I screwed up in 2023 and drank, and then this year with the medication problem

Absolutely HORRIBLE. Very unorganized, and they treat you like cattle. If you want to play with balloons, and coloring books, then this is a place for you. The staff is on par with sub standard nursing home employees.… BEWARE! NO SOLID TREATMENT. I WOULD NEVER EVER RECOMMEND THIS CHARADE TO ANYONE SEEKING REAL RECOVERY!!!

Hi Leie Dusek I have 4 months sober will be back for Alumi in a few weeks to talk about my recovery it's hard but it works if you accept why you came in for recovery see you all soon Leslie Dusek well as of today March… 6 20260 we are 10 months clean and sober you need to call me to speak my testamone you have my number thanks Leslie Dusek

It's crazy that this place has so many bad reviews. It saved my life!!! I went 3 years ago and I still think about the counselors and their stories. And how they all care so deeply for every client and their sobriety.… It's an amazing facility and it was truly a life changing experience. I don't know who I would be today if I went anywhere else.

I really appreciate the team here in the Partial Hospitalization Program, they were so kind and very helpful with preparing me to get back into the real world while entering sobriety! The classes may seem long at first… but eventually I realized were much needed and very useful. I couldn’t even imagine me seeing myself this far into sobriety and I’m absolutely loving it. As told but one of my favorite staff Miss Lt to keep my eye on the prize and I haven’t looked away since! Thank you so much Recovery Works PHP !

This place is awful. People are having sex all over the place the nurses are so rude and unprofessional. The discharge planner waited until the last minute to tell me my insurance lapsed kicking me out with nowhere to… go. I will say Myra, Jessica,Kelsey, Sharon and Shaney are the only people that try to help. The groups consist of coloring and there are drugs everywhere. I made the staff aware of this and they did nothing about it. Me along with 5 other girls were sexually harassed by a client and they did nothing about it. It used to be a great facility but I am appalled by the way they treat their patients.

Well! I've waited some time to compose this review. Here I go. This facility and all staff is AMAZING not just for me, but also for others. I was pretty messed up upon entering and was @ my rock bottom. I was no longer… a functioning drinker, but a full blown DRUNK with zero zest for life, friends and family with deteriorating physical and mental health. I hated myself and God for what I was doing. It took me more than once I'll admit. One 28 day program, thought I could still get away with a couple here and there, No, it's not true. So I went back for a second try and a extended stay with the Partial Hospitalization Program. I was doing so well and I lapsed, I put myself back in for just a 10 day detox and I picked myself back up. Today almost a year later my life is BACK..... I'M BACK! Recovery Works and all the nurturing staff helped immensely! I no longer feel any need for alcohol and just the the of my post drinking turns me off from every going back to that crap-shoot life style. Here at recovery works I learned to care for myself again and I gained much ambition for my life. I'm back working, living in a nice place, taking my meds, paying bills and debts, and turned back to my previous spiritual and religious self, which I thought I had lost. I'm just being a responsible SOBER ADULT. All the nurses and residential aids are fantastic and knowledgeable in their work all work their own unique personalities. I really really used the tools of knowledge given to me to build myself back up. Thankyou thankyou thankyou all of you wonderful souls. I have nothing bad to say about this facility. I even suggest this place to others that are in active addiction, it's not an easy step, BUT SO WORTH IT. JUDY the nurse had recently passed from this earth and wow, I loved her she was like a grandmother, so caring and sweet as pie. Danielle the R.A. always made me smile when I was down with her laugh and optimism. Madonna the nurse, always making sure medical needs were met with so much strength in her. I can continue but I'm already babbling, PLEASE IF YOU NEED HELP GO HERE. it's always clean, fresh and inviting. A plus is you can smoke cigarettes and you eat 3 delicious meals a day plus snacks prepared for by Mrs. T the kitchen manager. You are all so sweet, please keep this place going and going to help all those that NEED REAL HELP. Take care and bless you all! This will be my second holiday season as a Sober man. Sending much love to you all 💕 Good Bless!

Absolute trash Ordered meds without me knowing and billed Insurance and now I can't get my prescription. Hanging up 5 deep Yelling at females who didn't know they were in the wrong Stealing clothes that I came in with

Told them I was scared to go alone due to childhood trauma, so my boyfriend and I checked ourselves in. Not even being there 24 hours & I have staff screaming in my fact (unprovoked at that). And triggering my PTSD.… Which was known to the facility that I struggled with it. Almost all of the staffed did everything they could to trigger my PTSD. This facility does not care about your mental health and will do everything in there power to tear you down mentally. They also put my keys to a 20,000$ car in another persons property on purpose because they were mad at my boyfriend and I. Do NOT RECOMMEND GOING. FIND A DIFFERENT PLACE TO GO!!

Jervai the director held onto an adoption paper that was brought to me. It said I had 15 days to contest. She gave it to me on the 17th day. Due to this my son was adopted and there is no accountability on their part. I… can’t even get someone to call me back. She also told me I couldn’t file paternity until he was born and she knew the system, which was completely a lie. When I brought it to their attention I was kicked out of PHP. Update: It has been months. Jervai has never returned a phone call. I filed a complaint with corporate and have never heard back.

-5 Stars! HORRIBLE- This place is an absolute mess! They advertise medical 24/7 supervised detox and yet my son ended up in the ICU for two weeks and then transferred to another hospital. I received a phone call at 2:41… am and again at 2:43 am. Glad I missed the call the first time because a message was left. The message stated he “eloped” from the facility at 12:55 am. So why did they wait so long to call me? When I answered at 2:43am she explained the situation and that it had happened 20 minutes before they called me. He was having severe hallucinations and called local law enforcement to assist finding him. Once he was found he was transported to the hospital and in the ICU- however no one from the facility called me until 7ish am to tell me where he was. We live two hours away and trusted them with his life that he almost lost. Fast forward to contacting them to get his belongings. I called several times and got the voicemail every time - left several messages and nothing. No one bothered to call me ! I even called and tried to reach them through admissions. Max from Kentucky tried to be very helpful sending messages to the facility and copied the executive director. I really thought I would hear something back from them - but nope sure didn’t. He said to me the facility in Merrillville was terrible at answering the phones and getting back with people. His dad decided to drive there to get his items. Addiction is a terrible thing and a long stressful road for everyone involved, do yourself a favor and do not add anymore stress to you or your loved one, choose a different place! Recovery Works Merrillville, you are failing - DO BETTER!

I just completed the 28 day program and the staff and everyone there were great people and the food was also very good they are going through allot of remodeling and things we're a little hectic which is understandable… but other than that it was a life changing experience

I went there last year in December and it's an amazing rehab the staff listen and make you feel loved it's a great place for recovery

Best rehab!

This is the worst rehab ive ever seen 60 people crammed in a understaffed very un sanitary place ive seen jails cleaner who help u get clean better than this place they are horrible dont go waste of time ans money all… they want is ur money so all the employees can drive new cars. Serious drive up there ull see

Front desk is rude and unhelpful, if your immediate family members come here don’t expect to get in contact with them because it’s almost impossible. Part of recovery should be support and they make it difficult

I’ve had some great times at this place!!!

I was discriminated against because of my mental health disorder. Prior to going in, while I was being admitted and while I was in there I made it ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that I had C-PTSD (Complex-Post Traumatic Stress… disorder). I'm one of those people who actually has PTSD and has flashbacks. Being in a facility is also very stimulating which amplifies my symptoms. Throughout my stay there I had a rough time and Staff did the best they could. I had 1 major flashback and a few other pretty bad anxiety attack type incidents but not as extreme as the flashback. I was having intense PTSD symptoms daily (stress amplified by triggers) They were good to me. However, higher up staff decided that my mental health was too severe and that I needed a higher level of care so I was "administratively discharged". Now...this may be true. Maybe I did in fact need a higher level of care. I'm not arguing that. However, their solution to my "higher level of care" was to send me to Hickory which is literally an equal level of care. That doesn't make any sense. They were just trying to wash their hands of me. Regardless of my ptsd incidents or the severity of it, if the facility was unable or ill equipped to deal with a addict who also has PTSD then they needed to say that up front. They said they were totally able to deal with it. Which turned out to be untrue. Taking a patient with PTSD, who informed the facility every step of the way they have PTSD, then administratively discharging them for PTSD is discrimination. I don't know if I can be anymore articulate or clear about this. I spoke with a lawyer and they told me it was worth pursuing because it is indeed discrimination. For the most part I loved the staff who I dealt with on a daily basis they're great. But the higher up staff who decided I had to leave abruptly one day jeopardized my recovery. I had planned on staying for the entire time then doing PHP. So I had to quickly on the spot find housing. I almost went back to the dope house in Indianapolis I was staying at cause I didn't have anywhere to go. Luckily, I found a place. Also, let me add, I am Muslim. I'm actually a practicing Muslim their were a couple other Muslims who were discharged at the same time for various reasons. When they took me to the lobby there was 2 other Muslims who were being discharged as well.. So I kinda felt like they discriminated against us for that as well.

I see some of these reviews and I absolutely had to make one as well because we experienced most of this treatment as well. First of all, my boyfriend had been sick in his bed for 3 days. They gave him some medicine… that made him feel worse, he ended up passing out in the shower, and then finally after begging them to take him to the hospital because he couldn't see, they finally agreed to take him across the street to Methodist, which is the WORST hospital, but that's another review for another time. They left him there unattended, and they never even called me to let me know he was taken there and I was his emergency contact!! He called me to come get him and was afraid to go back there. So I took him back to get his things and they were trying to talk him in to staying. As I was waiting outside for him, a lady came out and asked me to help them talk him in to staying. I told her that if he didn't want to stay here, that he would go to a different treatment center because how they treated him there made him uncomfortable being there. She told me that he told them that I would be mad at him if he stayed. Which WAS NOT TRUE. When I asked her why no one called me when he was taken to the hospital, she said I was called and I didn't answer so they left a message. I checked my phone and no missed calls, and I checked my voicemail and you guessed it!! No missed calls!! They end up talking him into staying "one more night" and they promised him to take him to a better hospital. Which they did. Only to find out he HAD COVID!! Now I guess my question is .. when he was going to them telling them he was sick, why didn't they test him, or take him to get tested?? Why did they just assume he was withdrawing? Especially after seeing all these COVID posts, and also seeing someone made a review that had COVID a week before he went in there!! So they made me come get him anyway to quarantine for 3 days and then he could come back and finish treatment. When he went back to get his things, everyone had masks on BUT the patients in there 🤔 They didn't make anyone quarantine there or anything. I find this disturbing because they have nurses there, so why are there not COVID tests? And why didn't everyone get tested? They lady also told me she gave him the medicine (that made him pass out) because they thought he was being snuck in drugs because he didn't have withdrawals while he was in detox!! Now I'm the only one bringing him clothes and things and everything gets checked before they give it to him, and put in a hot box, so how does that happen? And was she implying I brought him drugs there? Because I don't even do them 💁‍♀️ This place is terrible! He said some of the staff is really amazing, but most of them are not. Stayed tuned, he will be writing his review shortly 😷