Anonymous wrote:I work in mental health and substance abuse. I have had have younger patients with co-occurring diagnoses: mental health and addiction. I have had a few of these clients go through John Volken all of whom have benefitted from the program and most have had long-term sobriety.

What does the mental health treatment at Volken look like? Please include information about the training levels of providers and frequency with which they see clients.

I work in mental health and substance abuse. I have had have younger patients with co-occurring diagnoses: mental health and addiction. I have had a few of these clients go through John Volken all of whom have benefitted from the program and most have had long-term sobriety.

The entirety of this review is based on my own personal opinion/experience, and is aided by a document regarding an official investigation by the BC Ministry of Assisted Living.

This place is not what it advertises itself as.

I went through the Canadian academy location as a client, then eventually stayed on as an employee for about 6 months before I was fired for trying to report the potential abuse of a client by a different staff member.

It is of my opinion that the staff, the program, and the organization as a whole is predatory at worst, and grossly inept at best. I do not consider this a place where true healing happens, in fact, I would argue that on average more damage occurs to clients than actual therapy. I would not consider this an addictions recovery center, instead, it is a monument to incompetence and hubris.

Sound like I might have a bit of a bone to pick, eh? Well, I do.

I am one of the very lucky few who have been blessed with a tremendously loving and supportive family, and had it not been for them, I would have left the program long before I completed it. That's right, I FINISHED the program and still feel this strongly about what a disservice it does to others.

I believe this program preys on the lost, vulnerable, and scared. On those suffering from addiction, and their families, to serve non-noble goals.

In my experience: they neglect client's wellbeing, illegally underpay staff (if you work/worked for the academy, that contract they made you sign to not have to pay you overtime is invalid, so contact your labor rep), and do their utmost to keep families in the dark to save face for the organization and keep a facade alive.

But hey, don't just take my word for it, the BC Ministry of Assisted Living investigated some of my claims late last year and this is what they found:

https://connect.health.gov.bc.ca/assisted-living-residence/1277

From my experience as a client: the majority of my time was spent working. From my experience there was zero regard for client safety on worksites (including intensive labor jobs), you work 6 days a week, and the "therapy" is a bi-weekly 1 - 2 hour group session that is unmoderated. Meaning there is no professional in the room with clients during these therapy sessions. There was staff occasionally, but no one with actual formal training. This might have changed since my time, but this was my experience. It was just other clients (or myself) running the therapy sessions.

There is so much more I could say about this place, but it would turn this review into a short novel, so hopefully this will summarize my personal sentiment:

Addiction recovery is a tremendously difficult process (I know, first hand) and I recognize that if you or someone you love is hurting, all you want is what's best for them, for them to be ok. My family wanted it for me, and at that time, the Volken Academy seemed like a dream come true, but I can tell you as someone who rose through the ranks, from a client to a program director, who saw a lot of the inner workings of this program and organization: I believe this organization is beyond reprehensible. From the way I was treated, the way I have seen others treated, to the way the academy (still to this day) takes no accountability for its actions or negligence, it is my personal opinion that anyone even remotely interested in attending, supporting, or sending someone you care about there to deeply, deeply, reconsider.

knew someone that was in this program by court order, and if completed, would abolish a 5 year prison sentence.

Soon after arriving he wrote the judge pleading with her for permission to complete the 5 years back in prison instead of at the John volken academy.

Apparently you’re not even allowed to send letters, this guy had to steal a stamp and sneak out in the middle of the night, to ask the judge to go back to prison haha

It doesn’t take a detective to get unbiased information on Mr Volken, Just make sure you use a proxy browser so you won’t exclude any information he has already paid Google to remove

The best part: After some quick research it seems the company that utilizes the free labor, isn’t even affiliated, it’s run as a separate entity. At best he’s a liar and trying to cover tracks of some sort

Was also a member of the Nazi party before moving to the United States after WW2

This is an adult program... Anyone who comments on here about their child is likely an enabler & part of the problem... It's not for everyone & it's better than jail for the people that society has had enough of.

Total cult, cut off from family, who is instrumental in the healing process, forced labour, peer led judgement groups daily, little free time if any, peer led punishment. We were scammed as well, luckily our child pulled herself by starvation and was hospitalized and then just then we could talk to our child, we agreed to let her participate in a provincial program with university trained psychologists etc. our child finished that program has been sober for over 5 years and is well on their way to finishing a program in university.

Just wanted to point out...
The reason their patients work 40 hours per week is to pay for their room, board, activities, food, etc. I think that's pretty dang reasonable considering 30-day programs can cost 10k.

We are also looking into this academy. I have read good things and not so good things. What I can say is that I can't find any other non-profit that runs this type of program. So I am just not sure... Some reviews said they have to work for free, but at the same time their housing is taken care of and they are feed, have pier support (probably some good and some bad), but it is more than what they have on the street. For some - good or bad - this could be a matter of being homeless or in jail or this. Recovery is not easy and I wonder if some of the bad reviews are based on the ones that just couldn't handle the pressure and stress or changing their lives and being held accountable. Any feedback anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

There is no professional help at John Volken Academy. It's addicts trying their best to help each other and John Volken making money. Anyone you talk with to learn more is a person in the program. Except the person who takes your money. The "one" time fee is misleading. If a person leaves, as many do, they are charged another fee to return. He counts on people leaving. They are also required to work 6 days a week for no pay! Multiply at least 48 hours of work per week times minimum wage and people are actually paying quite a bit. John Volken will not release any information about how many people start the program and how many actually complete it. Then he calls his "one time fee" a donation. Look somewhere else to help your loved one.

wondering the same... my brother just got sent in az... and escaped because its a military school... he is now stranded in the desert.... have you heard any updates about this place? i would like to know... please email me

Anyone have any experience with this rehab? One in Arizona, Seattle and Canada.
A young friend is going to give it a try. 10th rehab attempt
It’s an interesting concept. After $5,000 intake it says it’s free 2 year program
From the website the patients work 40 hours a week at the store or ranch connected to it
There aren’t a lot of reviews though. Hoping for some positive feedback