Pioneer Center North

I was myself a patient at this place from late July to mid September. From the first day, the staff were not only friendly...and I can name them all by name, and point out every one of their special qualities..but the point of my review is to praise all the staff for their team work, not individual work..but an ability to maintain the peace, despite attitudes of different individuals, and provide a safe and comprehensive atmosphere to begin a new life, not simply sober...but a better person while being sober. The place is amazing.

Like all treatment centers, your outcome and experience will depend on your attitude and how much work you are willing to do on yourself. I'll admit that when I first arrived I was skeptical, however I came straight out of a federal detention center so I was happy that I would be allowed to smoke and wear my own clothes and have my own bedding. The food, I thought, was great compared to prison food. Plus the facility was coed, and I'll admit that seeing a man that close was refreshing. One of the counselors told us that this facility is like the bottom barrel of drug treatment centers, it's definitely not Passages Malibu. But if you are coming from jail or from living on the streets, ill guarantee you will find this place much better. I made some really good friends here, and I'm not the type to bond with other women easily. I went here in 2012, and I still speak to those women, almost 9 years later. I'm happy to say that they are still sober, so this place works if you work the program. Like I said, it's much better than jail and for many of us, it's the last stop before prison or death. One time, while I was there, a girl snuck in heroin...her BF brought it during a visit. She foolishly shared her drugs with her roommate, they shot up in the bathroom right before dinner. However her roommate wasn't used to the drug and overdosed right there in the courtyard while we were sitting down to dinner. She basically died, we watched the medics give her CPR as we ate. It was surreal and sad. They were able to bring her around, and she went to the ER to get stabilized. The girl who snuck in drugs was kicked out, and they let the girl who overdosed come back to the program after a vote amongst us women. Frankly, even my own friends and roommates snuck in drugs, but I kept my nose clean because I was on federal probation and would get a long sentence if I didn't complete treatment. It's a choice...you can make the most of your time there or you can screw off. I went to PCN in the summer, and I really had a blast. They have a courtyard with a volleyball court, and we played with the men (although they don't allow much fraternization) or they have a little path where you can walk or jog. Make sure you bring an MP3 to listen to music on. Obviously you can't use your phone. Having an MP3 saved me, it's nice to have headphones so you can block all of the catty chattering out. Music is a great recovery tool. They have a dress code, but you can wear your own clothes. They also have a commissary where you can buy extra snacks, but it's expensive. When I went there, they had a payphone for personal calls. They also had a lot of activities, such as crafts and nail painting, volleyball tournaments, softball, walks to the nearby creek and AA/NA meetings. The property is huge, beautiful In the summer. In the warmer months they will organize outings, such as a trip to Deception Pass or a big AA BBQ in town. We went to the beach a few times and the staff would often stop at a restaurant where we could buy things, if we had money on your books. I recommend that you take as much as you can with you, so you'll be able to get the extras on your outings or for commissary. You can also bring cigarettes and have them mailed in. You will need to bring your own hygiene items and bedding. As for the staff, I don't recall that any of them were that terrible. As with anything, sometimes you click with a person and sometimes you don't. If you don't cause trouble and mind your own business and work the program then they will leave you alone. My counselor was great and gave me a great report to my probation officer. This facility had its share of problems but hey....it's better than jail. There is also an opportunity to work, if you are low on cash. They paid minimum wage, and it was just jobs like cleaning the bathrooms or dining area.

This place does the absolute best with what they have I guarantee it. I have been here a few times and it never worked for me, this time (11/12-12/14) I really wanted to stay clean and they helped me get where I needed to go. They got me into a really nice clean & sober house, they helped me setup all my necessary appointments, and they set me up with after care. Like anything else your time in a closed environment depends on your additude, I thought positive and stayed grateful that this place existed to help people like myself. My counsiler and case worker were pretty awesome and helped me as much as they could. Everyone whome I lived with were really nice and supportive, and if there are people who aren't you can just stay away from them. Of course there is a little drama, but what do you expect from around 60 drug addicts living together? The respect we all showed each other was pretty amazing in my opinion. The food isn't great, considering this is an all expense paid treatment I think it's pretty decent, and considering I ate every other day before I got there I was pretty grateful to get what I got. I never take this much time to review anything but I would hate to see someone turn down a treatment center because bad reviews. I was a homeless heroin addict for over 10 years, I have been to jail many times and have around 6 felony charges, I'm saying this because I honestly believe if I can change, absolutely anyone can. Please give yourself a chance and if your offered treatment at PCN, take it. It may not be Passges Malibu but it's a place full of good people who want to see you change your life! Much love, Evan Schreiber.

My son was heavily addicted to Heroin. He went here and it saved his life! He was headed down a path of destruction. In the first few days, he wanted to leave but a couple of friends in there talked him into staying a little bit longer. I'm so glad they did! He is a totally different person than the one that went in. I'm so proud of him! He's been clean 4 years now and is doing great! At the time (2017) this was the only place that offered inpatient treatment for Medicaid insurance. Thank you Pioneer Center North for being there.

Despite all the negative reviews, this place saved my life. No it’s not Betty Ford or Passages of Malibu; most, if not all, who attend are getting free treatment paid for by the state. I went there in 2016, so I can’t speak for the counseling staff now, but the counselors that were there when I went were top-notch and really went out of their way to help. Yes, it has its flaws like most places, but for the price I paid (nothing) and the results I got out of it I’ll be the last to complain about this place. They do very well considering their budget limits. If you really want to get and stay clean and sober this place has the tools to help. If you’re looking for a resort maybe try somewhere else.