Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, Mason City IA

The experience I had was life changing and life saving. The staff is the best of the best. I was at my lowest point in my life and Prairie Ridge and it's community helped put me odd that path to get my life back and enjoy life once again. I'll be forever grateful.

They told me that they were going to give me meds to help and never did. There was a lot of drama and back stabbing. The four girls I was closest too have relapsed and another is going to prison. No curtain between the beds. If you like to eat go here.

I've dabbled in a few rehabs and felt this one was so-so. The facility is nice and there's access to a gym/also outdoor track with nice scenery. Their lunch & dinner menus reminded me of school cafeteria food, lots of pasta, white bread, potatoes & heavily processed meat with little to no fresh produce, whole grain, etc.and their website claimed meals were planned by a registered dietician?

Superficialities aside, the programming won't be for everyone. There's almost no mention of the 12 steps. Therapy was lacking, you get very little individual attention and are discouraged from ever discussing much about your past so there's no sort of catharsis involved. The program's emphasis is on developing a support system and being around others and therefore you never get to be alone while you're there and are told to avoid being by yourself when you leave. That's fine for some people but for me as an introvert who has no desire to be more extroverted, it was pretty painful and just sent the message that sobriety = total loss of solitude, well now I want sobriety even less (not really, but that was just my visceral response while there). People need to develop comfortability on their own and I don't think it's the best approach to tell them to rely on other people to keep them sober.

Some staff members were NOT recovering addicts and I almost feel that should be a requirement for this sort of work. Even if you've suffered ill effects from being close to an addict, the fact is that a non-addict can never understand nuances of the addict mind/experience and isn't in a place of adequate authority to counsel people struggling with addiction.

There were moments I felt like my time was flat-out being wasted. Example: Class would last an hour but we'd finish the content in 40 minutes. Staff would tell us we couldn't leave the room before the hour was up and then the group would proceed to spend 20 minutes goofing off socially with absolutely NO programming going on. It was like being back in high school.

I'd like to see Prairie Ridge incorporate more individualized approach rather than this one size fits all method I experienced. I think a balanced program would walk a line between living in the past and planning for the future, your traumas need addressing if you hope to move past them and overhaul your life.

Side note: Counselor Kayla also fed me this quote during a 1-on-1 session: "I mean this in the best way possible, but some of your behavior is a little childish. " Reminds me of someone saying, "You look great, but no offense, you're fat. " I don't think this is a professional way to speak to a client. Even if you're thinking that, find a less knee-jerk way to get the point across.

I was in Prairie Ridge in August of 2016. They gave me the skills I needed to maintain sobriety. Four years, 1month and 5 days later I am still clean. I had a couple of setbacks but I was given the skills to overcome those. I am clean and I am living the life that I dreamed of!

22 years ago I went to prairie ridge I had been in many treatment center before that they do not play games they are serious about your recovery. Still sober today THANK YOU PRAIRIE RIDGE
Jerry C

It good place go to and the people are very friendly and helpful to. I like it because I work there to it grant place.

Prairie Ridge excelled where all other treatment centers failed me in the past. They actually work on the skills needed for me to start living my life again. Thank you to the amazing staff, especially my counselor Tommi! Shes the best!

Prairie Ridge is an incredible place. The staff is wonderful, including the counselors. They really care about the patients. They have a great holistic approach to treatment - much broader than just a 12 step focus, but including that as an option. There's a pharmacy on site to get you meds if you need them. The food is pretty great (and there's a lot of it). There's a ton to do on the unit, plus trips to the YMCA, church, celebrate recovery, etc. There's an outdoor track so you can get fresh air. And a gym. This is the place to go to get healthy, both physically and mentally.

Facility has exceeded my expectations. Fiance has been to Horizons and they do nothing for her. She is really excelling in the program, loves the counselors and staff. Feel the future is looking bright. Alyssa was fantastic and answered all the questions. Great place to get a new start.thank you Prarie Ridge.