Westwind Recovery – Los Angeles

I want to start out by saying thank you to the Westwind staff for putting together such a great camping trip for us. Mikey Dimitri house, mentor Justin and the alumni Connor. For making all this happen. I have been… doing drugs for 30 years. I lost who I was. I have 91 days clean and sober. And I didn’t know I could have fun not being loaded. And a special thanks to Mikey for giving me the chance to be a camp leader. I love you dawg and thanks Westwind for everything thing Yes

Had a great time on the camping trip Westwind for pro providing the space and opportunity

I’ve been at Westwind for 3 months now, starting in their PHP program and currently in IOP. I’ve been to quite a few substance abuse treatment programs in my life, and Westwind is easily one of the best. The two things… that have stood out to me the most are how engaging the groups are and the incredible sense of community they foster. When you’re sitting in groups all day, day after day, it’s incredibly important to me that they are engaging. One of the first things I’ve noticed that can start to negatively affect my mental health while in treatment is not being able to stay engaged throughout the day. So many treatment programs get this wrong by creating a curriculum that starts to repeat after a week or two, or by hiring facilitators who aren’t passionate about what they do. Westwind has absolutely nailed this. There are a variety of groups throughout the week to choose from, and the content has yet to repeat once. That means I’m continuing to learn and grow every day, I’m able to talk openly about my ups and downs and daily struggles in an environment where I feel safe, and my brain stays engaged rather than shutting down. Stephen, Toni, Billy, and Sue are all incredible facilitators who have helped me tremendously. The other aspect of Westwind that has been a complete game changer for me is the sense of community they foster. It’s one of the first things I noticed when I walked through the door. Finding community and connection in early sobriety is one of the most important things that will help keep me sober. Every night, the vans pick up clients from each of the houses and take us to meetings, and even that alone feels like something to look forward to. It’s a chance to sit next to people you might not otherwise get the opportunity to talk to in groups or at the center. We have outings every Sunday, including whale watching, laser tag, going to the movies, swim parties, museums, and more. We also have game nights and movie nights on Fridays. But my favorite part so far has been the trips we’ve taken. We had the opportunity to go to a ranch in the Angeles National Forest, where we got to interact with so many different types of animals—donkeys, tortoises, camels, cows, snakes, iguanas, goats, and more. Being around animals brings me a deep sense of peace, so any opportunity I have to connect with animals and wildlife is something I’m incredibly grateful for. And lastly, my favorite trip so far has been the camping trip. We went to a campground on the beach in San Clemente. It was really, really special. There was such a strong emphasis on fellowship and simply enjoying each other’s company. We went kayaking, had a bonfire, cooked meals together. Most people (lol) pitched in to keep camp clean, we helped each other set up camp, and we supported each other. Doing these types of things in early recovery is helping build the foundation for my sobriety journey moving forward. It’s such a powerful reminder that I can have fun, be active, connect with other people, and be completely myself while sober. Thank you so much Mikey! I’m incredibly grateful for my time at Westwind so far and for the people who have made this experience what it is.

My experience here was fantastic, the weekly activities kept me engaged and happy while in housing. The camping trip was absolutely breathtaking, getting to see the mountains on our hike was something out of a movie.… The staff are very caring and friendly. They also accommodated my needs as they arised. Overall this was a great experience for me and I feel confident in my sobriety moving forward in life. They connected me with the rooms of A.A. and for that I will be forever greatful. Thank you Westwind for what you do, y'all are truly life savers. Update, ive recently been on the San Clemente beach trip and had a phenomenal experience. It was a breathtaking area to witness first hand and getting to be sober with my peers and experience the awe inspiring piece of nature with them made it all the more special. Thank you westwind for your continued commitment to helping everyone be the best version of themselves.

I’m a client here at Westwind and been enjoying my time here the treatment and staff are amazing to work with. They help me with any problems I have. Also we went to San Clemente State Beach for a retreat and it was… Amazing!!! I would recommend this place to everyone. !!!

Westwind Recovery was a great overall experience! Everyone was so helpful with my recovery and overall experience. Thx!

Westwind was very helpful in saving my life. I can not say enough about the staff here, they are all amazing. Music group on Wednesday was a highlight. Shout out to Dave, Toni, Stephan V and Sue. Thank you all for doing… what you do.

Westwind was the best place for me got go. When I needed help for my recovery they checked off all of my needs. I would recommend this place big time. All staff is great and the house mentors as well. If I could stay… longer I would no dought.

This place has changed my life and has given me so many amazing experiences Im forever grateful for Westwind!

**3.5 stars (if that was an option).** When I first came to West Wind 4 months ago, I wasn't in a good place emotionally to say the least. I'm leaving feeling much more confident in my next steps, and I'm grateful for… that. What frustrated me was being told I wasn't ready to discharge. I strongly disagreed. By the end of my stay, the only part of treatment I consistently benefited from was my weekly 1-on-1 therapy. Had I not advocated for my own discharge and already had a plan, I can’t imagine how much longer I’d be here. The Pros: - Jen was incredibly supportive, especially when I first arrived. - Toni, Ildar, and Billy are exceptional. Toni is insightful, engaging, & an amazing therapist. If I had more space to write, I would. Highly recommend her. Ildar's groups build trust and genuine connection in a unique way. He brings a calm & logical presence too. Billy is one of the most down-to-earth, compassionate people I've met. You can tell he truly cares about every client. He deserves so much recognition. - Housing was another highlight. Anna, Thorsen, and especially Ryan were amazing. If you're a woman, I highly recommend Crescent House. The cons: - If you're coming primarily for mental health (I came for CPTSD and have over 2 years of sobriety), I'd make sure this program is the right fit. The heavy focus on AA, sponsors, and the 12 Steps wasn't very relevant to my treatment goals. - If you're expecting EMDR, don’t. It was advertised, but I never received it during my four months there. That was my primary target for treatment… - Communication needs improvement. I was often left figuring things out on my own. - You have to advocate for yourself *constantly*. If not, good luck. - Staff turnover during my stay noticeably affected the consistency of the program. - Alex, the clinical director, is someone that I can’t advocate for. One of my biggest disappointments involved how I experienced Alex responding to a situation between clients. Zero meaningful consequences. When I advocated for what I believed was the right thing to do, my concerns were dismissed. During our conversation, I was told that my reaction was simply a trauma response related to my own assault history and that “this was why I wasn't receiving EMDR”. I found that deeply invalidating and that it misrepresented both my intentions and my clinical progress. Another frustration with Alex was completing an extensive psychological assessment early in treatment that was never reviewed or discussed with my therapist- even after bringing it up multiple times after I completed it. Most people share this experience. One suggestion: I'd love to see case management run groups focused on aftercare planning, jobs, resumes, housing, and transitioning back into everyday life. I think that would be incredibly valuable. Overall, there are people at West Wind who genuinely changed my life for the better, and I'm incredibly thankful for them. I just hope the program continues improving its communication, consistency and trauma-focused care.

I spent 5 months at Westwind and truly had a wonderful experience. The staff was unbelievably warm, compassionate and supportive. The programming was one of the best I’ve seen and I really got the chance to learn more… about myself and get back aligned with who I really am sober. I can’t thank the westwind team enough on being there for me during my personal recovery. I definitely recommend this program for anyone in search of healing and empowerment. Update (1.5 Years Sober): I wanted to come back and give a huge shoutout to the team again. The counselors and staff bring so much empathy and genuine human connection to the groups; you never feel like just a number. The personal guidance I received here kept me grounded, and I'm proud to say I am still sober today. Huge thank you to the team for your dedication and belief in me.

Westwind is a great facility with amazing staff. I was there for both PHP and IOP. The sessions were helpful and robust. Sue is hands down the best facilitator there is. Stephen’s approach with clients is grounding,… sincere and inspiring. The techs were amazing too…special shout out to Dimitri! Yoga with Venus was one of the best sessions!

This place changed my life, I don’t know where in my sobriety I would be without their staff and the community of Westwind! Highly recommend if you are serious about your sobriety ❤️ 11 months 9 days! So grateful

Westwind Recovery has truly made a positive impact on our loved one’s life. The care, compassion, and support they provide are incredible. Thank you, Westwind, and a special thank you to Michael for everything you’ve… done. Your dedication and kindness have made a real difference, and we are truly grateful.

I had a very good experience at Westwind recovery. I felt very safe and that my needs were met every step of the way. I would highly recommend this facility again, and would come back if I needed to. They really help me… grow into the women that I am today I couldn't do it with out my westwind family

West Wind Recovery changed my life. The staff genuinely care, the environment is supportive, and I felt respected every step of the way. I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and community I found here. Highly… recommend to anyone seeking recovery support.

West Wind Recovery helped me completely turn my life around and provided a soft place for me to land while I worked on myself. One of the most impactful parts of my treatment was weekly yoga classes. Venus is an amazing… yoga instructor and helped me connect deeper with my body and mind. I have also grown a lot with the help of my therapist Toni. I am leaving this program feeling ready and motivated to embark on a new chapter of life.

My experience at Westwind has been incredible. I came in worried and uncertainty about program because it was my first time. Westwind answer all my questions and made me feel welcome. I am completing the program in two… weeks. I can pleased with staffing at the center and housing. My treatment team has helped me overcome challenges. They have helped me with my emotional and mental health. I am equipped with coping skills to deal with life. This program really care about their clients. I will definitely recommend Westwind. They are now like family. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Westwind was the best thing I could’ve have done Im currently still here. Im loving and growing every min everyday I’ve been here over 60 plus days and I can say Im not the same person i was when I first came in. They… challenge me to become a better person I didn’t understand at first surely enough I definitely do it’s a wonderful environment one that is a blessing to add it’s like me it helps integrate me back into society all the little things and skills I’ve learned hear have helped me thrive into becoming a better person , understanding my disease and knowing it’s possible to beat it. There’s a strong community here od clients who are serious about change serious about recovery and that motivation from one another cant be bought or taught it’s in the air here at west wind highly recommend plus the staff is amazing every last single one of them they truly care and want to see us win our wins are their wins!!!

Overall wonderful experience! Very pleased with staffing, the care & quality they offer!

Absolutely, Tony — here is a clean, sharp, under‑1‑star style review formatted exactly the way people post on treatment‑center websites. It’s factual, non‑defamatory, and powerful. You can copy/paste this directly into… their review form. --- ⭐☆☆☆☆ If I could give zero stars, I would My experience at Weswind Recovery was unsafe, destabilizing, and completely misaligned with what they advertise as “trauma‑informed care.” I repeatedly reported that the housing environment was triggering severe PTSD symptoms. The facility places 13 people into a small early‑1900s single‑family home, creating constant noise, overcrowding, and no predictable quiet hours. Despite three separate housing meetings with managers and supervisors, nothing changed. When the environment pushed me into clinical crisis, I requested a formal warm handoff—the standard of care when a placement is harming a client. Instead, staff attempted a passive referral by giving my number to another facility without checking whether it was appropriate for chronic PTSD or co‑occurring SUD. I also requested my records to ensure a safe transition. Instead of supporting that process, staff packed my belongings without consent and placed them in a public area—after law enforcement told them they had no right to do that. Shortly after, I was removed from the program despite asking repeatedly for a clinically appropriate transfer. I have video documentation of multiple parts of this experience. This review is not written out of anger—it is written so others seeking trauma‑informed treatment understand the reality of the environment. My experience at Weswind Recovery was not safe, not supportive, and not clinically appropriate for ptsd

I had a great experience here. The staff was amazing and I was treated as an individual. The medical team tailored my treatment needs and without my therapist Karly I don't know how I would of made it through. Thank you… westwinds for everything!!!

The thing that bothered me the most was the housing. I felt truly uncomfortable. I was placed in a room that the house manager watched tv incessantly and had a dog that would sleep on my bed when I wasn’t there. She was… really a mean person and I never knew where I stood with her. It felt like I was a dorm with a roommate who hated me. She got upset when I cycled her clothes from dryer. Wow it was a complete nightmare. My recovery was so diminished by her attitude and they did not do anything about it. She was a very difficult person To get along with. If you could get me in touch either whomever I can speak to about this I would respectfully respond order for you to make things agreeable to clients in the future.

Westwind was a life changing experience as a recovering alcoholic/addict. The facilitators were amazing and case management helped me to get my life back on track financially and spiritually. I especially enjoyed the… rock to recovery group as a musician. This weekly creative outlet was helpful and impactful in my recovery. If you’re ready to surrender and want comprehensive treatment I would highly recommend Westwind.

This place was amazing! Friendly staff, and great programs! Highly recommend!

My experience at Westwind was extremely positive. I am new to LA and they helped me feel welcome and showed me how strong the recovery is around here. The group facilitators and the entire staff were friendly and… extremely helpful during my program. I feel like I was set up for success in achieving longterm sobriety. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience 🫶

My Experience here was very good. There were ups and downs but I’m grateful for the experience I was able to have here. I want to thank my therapist Toni kells for her phenomenal work and service. As well as staff… Carly, Kc, Robin, Nicole, and Mikey. They all helped me in my recovery journey by being honest and respectful making me ultimately comfortable with my stay here.

Unreal. Checked in and checked right back out that’s all.

My time at Westwind was an amazing experience! The staff is amazing and so friendly. They truly care and help you on your journey to recovery. I’m grateful to Westwind and the team for helping me get where I’m at today!