Hey folks,
Just wanted to share a template of what I’m sending out today. If you feel you've been wronged, consider taking action—or leave a comment on the petition to show your support. Every voice matters.
Keep in mind: what you see in the news or in this petition only scratches the surface. Like many large corporations, their priority is protecting profits—not accountability. This often comes at the expense of real people, some of whom have been harmed beyond repair.
Trigger warning: This message includes references to people we've lost in connection to this facility, as well as themes of grief, death, sexual content, and depression. Please take care while reading.
Formal Complaint Against River Oaks Treatment Center
Subject: Formal Complaint Against River Oaks Treatment Center for Negligence, Abuse, and Exploitative Practices – Demand for Full Refund and Accountability
Trigger Warning: This complaint contains references to abuse, spiritual deception, and traumatic events, including drug overdoses, violence, medication mismanagement, and exploitation, which may be distressing.
To Whom It May Concern at River Oaks Treatment Center and American Addiction Centers (AAC),
I am writing to document the traumatic, dangerous, and unethical conditions I endured at River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview, Florida, during my admission in fall 2021 for a cannabis-related issue. Instead of recovery, I faced negligence, abuse, and predatory practices that endangered my life and others’. We lived in constant fear of fentanyl in our drinks due to an unsecured campus, my belongings were stolen, and aggressive Technical Assistants (TAs) enforced coercive COVID testing protocols, including forced nasal swabs. Executive director Kristin recklessly expelled me, despite my legal “tender” AA probation supervision transfer, for ordering a vegan smoothie, kindling spiritual deception through betrayed trust. The facility’s failure to use GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing led to dangerous medication mismanagement, prescribing drugs like Seroquel for anxiety—intended for bipolar disorder—risking violent or hallucinogenic reactions. These failures, corroborated by lawsuits and attorney Jack Gordon’s findings, demand a full monetary refund and systemic accountability.
Life-Threatening Negligence and Patient Deaths
River Oaks’ unsecured campus enabled rampant drug trafficking, fostering constant fear of fentanyl in our drinks, as evidenced by Anaceona Mejias’ collapse after her drink was spiked. I witnessed “Guy,” a 40-year-old businessman with bipolar disorder, collapse on the tennis court from fentanyl toxicity. Despite clear signs—sweating, skin color changes, erratic behavior—and two women alerting staff, it took 45–60 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Joe never returned. Other patients, like Marisel Sanchez (burned during detox), faced similar dangers. Jack Gordon, representing a deceased patient’s family, confirmed AAC’s cover-ups, with facilities linked to numerous deaths, including Joe Nicolosi’s. My FOIA’d 911 call logs revealed over 50 monthly fentanyl-related emergencies, underscoring the crisis.
Abuse and Neglect in a Diverse Community
River Oaks housed a microcosm of modern America—patients like Barb, an 80-year-old nurse battling alcoholism; a queer man who survived a suicide attempt; a Latina cult survivor; and an Aryan Nation member grieving his brother’s overdose. Group therapy was raw, with tensions over genderqueer identities fueling chaos. A woman with schizophrenia was ignored, half-dressed, until I intervened; she was later expelled. Staff mocked patients in psychosis, offering no trauma-informed care. Violence—tables flipped by recently incarcerated patients—was rampant. Attorney J., Esq., described a gang rape at an AAC facility due to inadequate supervision, mirroring River Oaks’ neglect.
Aggressive TAs and Coercive COVID Testing Protocols
TAs, untrained and aggressive, patrolled like “Secret Police,” targeting women with hostility. One screamed in my face for collaging, violating my space, while ignoring drug trafficking. Their coercive COVID testing protocols were abusive, demanding aggressive nasal swabs under threat of immediate expulsion, disregarding religious or personal objections. These practices, enforced inconsistently—Papa John’s deliveries were ignored, but my vegan smoothie was punished—retraumatized patients and kindled spiritual deception by undermining the promised safe recovery environment.
Medication Mismanagement and Failure to Use GeneSight
River Oaks failed to utilize GeneSight, a pharmacogenomic test that tailors psychiatric medications to patients’ genetic profiles, despite its availability. Instead, staff recklessly prescribed medications like Seroquel, primarily for bipolar disorder, to patients with anxiety, risking severe violent or hallucinogenic reactions. This one-size-fits-all approach endangered patients, exacerbating mental health crises in an already chaotic environment and betraying trust in professional care.
Predatory Practices and Human Trafficking
Jack Gordon exposed River Oaks’ body brokering, selling patients for kickbacks to fill beds. Patients in acute psychosis were flown across the country instead of receiving emergency care. The broken gate, Gordon noted, is intentional to evade medical regulations, enabling drug trafficking to a nearby 7-11. A 2020 Palm Beach Post report linked AAC to human trafficking via the “fence,” an underground market selling patients to unsafe facilities. Lawsuits, including a $7 million verdict for Shaun Reyna’s suicide due to negligent detox, highlight AAC’s exploitative model, preying on vulnerable patients like me, on probation for a cannabis issue.
Unqualified Leadership and Toxic Culture
The unsecured campus allowed my belongings to be stolen, with no recourse. Kristin expelled me, knowing I was on a legal “tender” AA probation supervision transfer, for not apologizing for a smoothie—a reckless act compared to unchecked fentanyl distribution by others. Her focus on appearances ignored nightly Papa John’s deliveries and campus lockdowns after fentanyl incidents. Informed consent was coerced from intoxicated patients, and detoxes were unsafe, further betraying trust.
Systemic Exploitation and Spiritual Deception
AAC’s bankruptcy filings and shell companies shield it from accountability, while families are billed post-mortem, as one mother was for her son’s urine test. The Affordable Care Act’s coverage fueled AAC’s fraudulent billing for unprovided services. A Change.org petition lists 13 deaths at AAC facilities, reflecting a business model that exploits addiction and kindles spiritual deception by promising healing while delivering danger. My payment for treatment was a fraud, as I received trauma instead of care.
Potential Legal Violations
River Oaks’ actions may violate several Florida and federal laws, based on the documented failures:
Florida Patient Brokering Act (Fla. Stat. § 817.505): Body brokering, as exposed by J. Esquire of Tampa, involves receiving kickbacks for patient referrals, a felony. AAC’s “fence” network and cross-country patient transfers suggest systemic violations.
Florida Substance Abuse Services Law (Fla. Stat. Chapter 397): River Oaks failed to meet standards for safe, licensed treatment facilities, including adequate supervision, staff training, and patient safety, as evidenced by fentanyl overdoses, violence, and medication mismanagement.
Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Fla. Stat. § 381.026): Coerced COVID testing, lack of informed consent for medications, and expulsion without due process violated patients’ rights to respectful care, informed consent, and freedom from abuse.
Florida Medical Malpractice Act (Fla. Stat. Chapter 766): Prescribing Seroquel for anxiety without GeneSight testing or proper evaluation constitutes medical negligence, risking severe reactions and breaching the standard of care.
Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b): AAC’s body brokering and fraudulent billing practices, as seen in the $112 million DOJ case, likely violate federal laws prohibiting kickbacks in healthcare.
Federal False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733): Billing for unprovided or substandard services, including post-mortem charges and unnecessary tests, may constitute false claims, especially under Affordable Care Act coverage. Promising 24/7 Monitoring then allowing fentanyl drinks on campus, also false advertising. Changing the website now does not make up for lives damaged in the past, including from 2021 and earlier (or later).
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 C.F.R. Part 164): Failure to secure the campus and protect patient belongings may breach patient privacy and safety obligations, exposing patients to theft and harm.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.): Neglecting patients with mental health conditions, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and failing to provide trauma-informed care may violate protections for individuals with disabilities.
These violations, supported by lawsuits, FOIA data, and media reports, underscore the need for regulatory intervention and restitution.
Objectives and Demands
River Oaks and AAC must answer for their negligence, abuse, and exploitation. I demand:
Full Monetary Refund: A complete refund of all payments, as the promised safe, professional care was not delivered. I was endangered, my belongings stolen, subjected to abusive TAs and coerced testing, prescribed inappropriate medications, and expelled recklessly, undermining my recovery.
Apology: A formal acknowledgment of the facility’s failures, including fentanyl fears, TA aggression, coercive testing, medication mismanagement, and my unjust expulsion. What is the point of going through all those questionnaires if you're at the mercy of a director on a bad morning, who did not think to take into consideration my health at all.
Systemic Reforms: Trauma-informed staff training, secure campus infrastructure (e.g., functional gates, drug detection), humane COVID testing protocols, mandatory GeneSight testing, and an end to body brokering and trafficking.
Regulatory Action: A state and federal investigation, with revocation of River Oaks’ license until it meets care standards. SHUT DOWN FOR THE LIVES LOST, broken promises and destroyed families.
I request a written response within 7 business days confirming my refund and detailing corrective actions. Addiction is a disease, not a commodity, and no one should endure River Oaks’ betrayal, and ultimately, American Addiction Centers.
Sincerely,
Clelia
If you feel as strongly about this as I do and were a patient at this facility or one of their other locations, consider the following:
Where to File the Complaint
To achieve your refund and address systemic issues, including medication mismanagement and potential legal violations, search for agencies that can investigate fraud, billing disputes, patient safety, and medical negligence, potentially pressuring AAC to settle. These exclude the BBB, as requested, and focus on Florida’s relevant departments and federal bodies, informed by provided web results. BBB has limitations, like Google, bad reviews can be taken down and good ones "bought", creating a sense of false safety for the unprepared consumer/customer, usually in dire straits when searching for treatment.
Florida Department of Health (DOH) – Consumer Services Unit
Why: The DOH oversees substance abuse treatment facilities under Florida Statutes Chapter 397, investigating negligence, patient rights violations, and unsafe practices like inappropriate medication prescribing, aggressive TAs, and coercive COVID testing. Investigations could pressure AAC to issue a refund as part of corrective action, especially given violations of Fla. Stat. § 397 and § 381.026.
How to File: Submit via the Florida Health Care Complaint Portal, attaching your letter, FOIA’d 911 call logs, payment records, probation documentation, and any medical records showing prescribed medications.
Link: Florida Health Care Complaint Portal
Contact: Call (850) 245-4339 or email consumer_services@flhealth.gov (mailto:consumer_services@flhealth.gov).
Note: Highlight medication mismanagement (e.g., Seroquel for anxiety as an example when it was not something you needed and not part of your personality or medical profile/history), coerced testing, and patient brokering, referencing the 2021 DOJ case against AAC for $112 million in fraudulent billing to show systemic fraud.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) – Complaint Administration Unit
Why: AHCA regulates residential treatment facilities, investigating patient safety, medical negligence, and facility standards under Fla. Stat. § 381.026 and Rule 59A-3. Complaints about stolen belongings, unsecured campus, abusive TAs, and improper prescribing could lead to fines, prompting AAC to settle with a refund.
How to File: Use the online Health Care Facility Complaint Form, including your letter, payment records, and evidence (e.g., 911 logs, probation status, medical records).
Link: AHCA Health Care Facility Complaint Form
Contact: Call (888) 419-3456 or email AHCAComplaints@ahca.myflorida.com (mailto:AHCAComplaints@ahca.myflorida.com).
Note: Cite the Palm Beach Post’s 2020 trafficking report and medication mismanagement as violations of Florida standards.
Florida Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
Why: This office addresses consumer fraud under Florida’s Patient Brokering Act (Fla. Stat. § 817.505) and deceptive practices. Your allegations of paying for undelivered care, coercive testing, TA aggression, and medication mismanagement align with their purview for refund mediation and fraud investigations.
How to File: Submit a consumer complaint online, attaching your letter, payment receipts, and evidence (e.g., J. Esquire's findings, FOIA records, medical records).
Link: Florida Attorney General Consumer Complaint Form
Contact: Call (866) 966-7226 or email ccu@myfloridalegal.com (mailto:ccu@myfloridalegal.com).
Note: Reference AAC’s $112 million fraud conviction, the Change.org petition’s 13 deaths, and violations of Fla. Stat. § 817.505.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Why: SAMHSA investigates unethical practices in federally funded programs, like body brokering, patient exploitation, and improper medication practices, potentially violating the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act. Investigations could encourage a refund settlement.
How to File: Email or mail your complaint to SAMHSA’s Office of Compliance, including your letter, medical records, and evidence.
Link: SAMHSA Contact Page
Contact: Email SAMHSAInfo@samhsa.hhs.gov (mailto:SAMHSAInfo@samhsa.hhs.gov) or call (877) 726-4727.
Note: Cite the 2018 Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act to frame AAC’s billing and prescribing as deceptive.
Joint Commission
Why: If River Oaks is Joint Commission-accredited, complaints about unsafe care, coerced testing, TA aggression, and medication mismanagement could prompt accreditation reviews, pushing AAC to refund you to avoid sanctions.
How to File: Submit online, attaching your letter, payment records, and medical records.
Link: Joint Commission Complaint Form
Contact: Call (800) 994-6610 or email complaint@jointcommission.org (mailto:complaint@jointcommission.org).
Note: Highlight patient safety failures (e.g., fentanyl spiking, improper prescribing) and violations of patient rights.
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
Why: If River Oaks is CARF-accredited, CARF investigates substandard care, billing disputes, and medical negligence. Your complaint about paying for unsafe treatment and improper medications could lead to a refund to maintain accreditation.
How to File: Submit via CARF’s online form or email, including your letter, medical records, and evidence.
Link: CARF Complaint Process
Contact: Email complaints@carf.org (mailto:complaints@carf.org) or call (888) 281-6531.
Note: Reference CARF’s standards for ethical billing, patient safety, and medical care, citing medication mismanagement.
Additional Notes on Filing for a Refund
Supporting Evidence: Attach payment receipts, probation transfer documentation, FOIA’d 911 call logs, medical records showing prescribed medications (e.g., Seroquel for anxiety), and witness statements (e.g., about "Guy's" incident, TA aggression, coerced testing) to prove you paid for undelivered services. Mention J. Esquire's findings, the Change.org petition, and cited legal violations for impact.
Multiple Filings: Start with the Florida Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division for refund mediation, citing Fla. Stat. § 817.505 violations, alongside DOH and AHCA for safety and medical negligence violations (Fla. Stat. § 397, § 381.026). SAMHSA, Joint Commission, and CARF add pressure on AAC’s operations and accreditation.
Legal Action: The identified legal violations, your probation status, and AAC’s lawsuit history ($112 million fraud, $7 million wrongful death) strengthen your case. Contact Jack Gordon to explore a civil claim for a refund and damages, leveraging Fla. Stat. § 766 and federal laws. The DOH notes billing disputes may require an attorney.
Direct Negotiation: Send a certified letter to AAC’s corporate office (2500 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431) demanding a refund, citing your complaint and potential legal violations. This may prompt a settlement given AAC’s legal vulnerabilities.
If you feel you've been wronged, consider taking action—or leave a comment on the petition to show your support. Every voice matters.
Keep in mind: what you see in the news or in this petition only scratches the surface. Like many large corporations, their priority is protecting profits—not accountability. This often comes at the expense of real people, some of whom have been harmed beyond repair.