This update is in response to a brave woman named Tracy, who left a video under the petition's supporter comments. She asked a powerful, heartbreaking question:
“Where do we go from here?”
Tracy shared that she’s still struggling — with alcohol, childhood trauma, and now a fear of rehabs and people. She said she's worse off now than before she ever sought help. And sadly, she’s not alone. So many others have echoed this sentiment, and it’s why this petition — and more importantly, this movement — exists.
Recently, I reached out to someone who had her drink spiked with fentanyl at River Oaks. She seemed understandably discouraged, unsure whether signing a petition like this would do any good. I get it — on the surface, a Change.org petition might seem small, even a little dorky. But this is step one. Every signature boosts visibility on search engines. It helps connect survivors, expose patterns, and apply pressure.
We can look to other movements for inspiration. Take Ross Ulbricht’s supporters — they built a website that tied together a petition (with over 500,000 signatures) and thoroughly documented his case. Though our mission is very different (we’re fighting for sobriety and safety, not platforms that can be exploited for harm), their tactics worked: public pressure, detailed storytelling, and persistence.
It may be worth considering — sometime this year — creating a dedicated website where each major case and personal experience can be documented in one place. A space where anyone who feels they were harmed can share, in specific and calm terms, what happened — when they’re ready.
While every story matters, some cases are particularly tragic or egregious ..and require a significant emotional toll to revisit, especially for those who have already spent years trying to be heard — often facing dismissal, disbelief, or even bullying along the way. Collecting them all in one central, organized, and professional-looking platform could help generate real visibility and momentum. It would allow patterns to emerge, strengthen public awareness, and potentially attract media, legal interest, or even legislative action.
Unfortunately, platforms like Change.org often operate on a “pay to play” model — petitions rarely gain traction unless promoted with money, which is frustrating. The good news is, there are other petition platforms, and with the right strategy, a unified website could link to all of them, helping each gain more credibility and reach.
This movement might seem ambitious — but I truly believe that people in recovery and their families, especially those who have been harmed or misled, can move mountains when they focus their pain and frustration into organized action. The energy is already here. We just need to channel it into something that can't be ignored.
🔹 Top Petition Websites (Besides Change.org)
✅ Care2 Petitions
🌎 https://www.thepetitionsite.com
▶One of the largest activist communities online (50M+ members)
▶Focuses on human rights, health, and social justice
▶Strong presence in search results
▶Built-in community for support/shares
✅ MoveOn Petitions
🌎 https://petitions.moveon.org
▶U.S.-based progressive platform connected to MoveOn.org
▶Great for petitions aimed at influencing policy, legislation, or corporate accountability
▶Can get boosted by MoveOn email campaigns if it gains traction
✅ iPetitions
🌎 https://www.ipetitions.com
▶Simple to use, no login required for signers
▶Free (no required donations like Change.org sometimes nudges)
▶Customizable and straightforward
✅ Avaaz
🌎 https://secure.avaaz.org
▶Global civic movement with multilingual support
▶Very strong in international justice and human rights circles
▶Ideal if you want attention beyond just the U.S.
✅ GoPetition
🌎 https://www.gopetition.com
▶Offers a more “formal” and customizable petition format
▶Suitable for petitions that may be submitted to courts, boards, or legislative bodies
▶Tracks signatures by region
✅ ChangePolitics
🌎 https://www.changepolitics.org
▶Geared toward U.S. civic issues and legislative change
▶Focuses more on local/state policies and officials
🔸 Why Use Multiple Platforms?
▶SEO boost: More petition pages = better Google visibility
▶Audience diversity: Each platform attracts different user bases
▶Extra legitimacy: Shows you're serious and organized
▶Backup: If Change.org removes or buries it, others will still stand
Next Steps For Anyone Affected:
Here are some practical steps you can take, whether you're in Tracy’s shoes or have a similar story to tell:
Join the Conversation:
▶Connect with It's Time for Ethics in Addiction Treatment on Facebook. This group has become a place where survivors are sharing their stories and finding strength in numbers. There is a private group and public page.
Document Everything:
▶Even if you’re feeling sick or scared, write it down while it’s still fresh — every detail, every conversation, every promise made and broken.
Find Safety First:
▶If you're actively drinking and trying to stop, please prioritize your physical safety. ▶Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. Seek out a safe detox center or hospital if needed. Your life is the most important thing.
In my experience, the most effective approach is this:
▶File reports with all the relevant agencies — even if it feels tedious
▶Post your story on social media — calmly, clearly, and authentically
▶And if possible, find legal representation
▶Easier said than done — I know. It’s hard to find a good lawyer, and even harder to afford one. But doing what you can, step by step, helps build a record and make noise that’s harder to ignore.
File Reports:
These are the agencies and avenues you should consider...Just a heads-up — I’ve personally gone through every one of these reporting channels, including the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. That one’s a bit of a long shot, but still worth it for the paper trail and official timestamp, and honestly, it helped me practice putting my experience into words.
▶State Department of Health / Mental Health
▶State Attorney General’s Office
▶Better Business Bureau (BBB)
▶The Joint Commission (if the rehab is accredited...sometimes they're not)
▶SAMHSA Complaint Line
▶CARF International Provider Feedback Portal
▶Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (if applicable)
▶Local consumer protection agencies (more below)
▶The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint portal
▶Police report, if applicable (e.g., abandonment, harm, theft)
▶Keep all records, texts, emails, receipts, and names. If possible, get the specific address and file complaints with every relevant agency. This builds evidence and shows that you took every reasonable step to get help.
🔹 State-Level Consumer Protection Agencies
Each U.S. state has:
Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection Division
Look up your state’s Attorney General website. For example:
▶California: https://oag.ca.gov
▶Florida: http://myfloridalegal.com
▶Texas: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
State Health Department / Behavioral Health Board
▶They license and investigate complaints against treatment facilities.
State Department of Insurance
▶If your insurance was involved and mishandled (e.g., unauthorized billing).
▶State Licensing Boards (for doctors, therapists, counselors)
🔹 County & City Agencies (varies by location)
Check for:
County Department of Consumer Affairs or Consumer Protection
Example:
▶Los Angeles County: https://dcba.lacounty.gov
▶NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection: https://www.nyc.gov/dca
City Attorney or District Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Unit
▶Some cities have a special consumer protection office within the DA.
▶County Mental Health Ombudsman or Grievance Unit
For complaints involving patient rights or facility misconduct.
🔹 Other Helpful Complaint Resources
▶Better Business Bureau (BBB)
https://www.bbb.org
▶Health Care Fraud Units (State or Federal)
🔹 National-Level Reporting Options (All States)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
🌐 https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/
For Medicare/Medicaid fraud, false billing, kickbacks, or abuse in federally funded programs.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
🌐 https://www.cms.gov
Oversees healthcare providers in federally funded insurance programs.
National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU)
🌐 https://www.namfcu.net
Directory to all state-level Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
🔹 Examples of State Medicaid Fraud / Healthcare Fraud Units
✅ California
CA Department of Justice – Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse
🌐 https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea
✅ Florida
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) – FL Attorney General
🌐 http://myfloridalegal.com
Direct MFCU page: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/medicaid-fraud
✅ New York
NY Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
🌐 https://ag.ny.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit
✅ Texas
Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
🌐 https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
✅ Nevada
Nevada Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (via Office of the Attorney General)
🌐 https://ag.nv.gov
✅ Pennsylvania
PA Office of Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Section
🌐 https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/medicaid-fraud
🔹 How to File a Complaint
Most of these websites allow you to file complaints anonymously or confidentially, especially if you're a whistleblower, patient, or former employee. You’ll usually need:
▶Name/address of the provider or facility
▶Dates of service
▶Description of the fraud or abuse
▶Documentation (if you have it)
▶Local Police or Sheriff’s Office
If you were abandoned, endangered, or experienced theft/assault.
🔎 How to Find Yours
To locate your specific local agency:
▶Google: "Your City or County" + consumer protection
▶Visit your state’s official website and search for "file a complaint"
▶Contact 211 (in the U.S.) – they can direct you to local services
🔹 Leave a Review — Everywhere You Can
▶This step is critical. Sharing your experience in a public review not only warns others — it also builds public accountability that’s harder to ignore or erase. When you write a review:
▶Be factual. Stick to dates, what was promised vs. delivered, and the harm done.
Save a copy of what you wrote — just in case it gets flagged or removed.
▶Include keywords like the rehab name, location, and phrases like "American Addiction Centers," "River Oaks Treatment Center," etc., to improve search visibility.
✅ Post Reviews On These Platforms:
▶Google Reviews (via Google Maps)
This has the most visibility. But note: Companies can pay PR firms to bury or remove reviews, so don't stop here.
▶Yelp.com
Yelp is more strict with how they flag and remove reviews, making it one of the best platforms for honest reports.
▶ consumeraffairs.com
It's a large platform, but reviews have sometimes been found to be filtered or manipulated. Still, it's worth submitting.
▶RipoffReport.com
A lesser-known but powerful platform. Reviews are permanent — they can’t be deleted even by lawyers or PR teams. It’s searchable, visible, and often used by journalists and legal researchers.
▶BBB (Better Business Bureau)
https://www.bbb.org
Not always helpful in resolution, but visible and taken seriously by some institutions.
▶Facebook Reviews
If the facility has a Facebook page, leave your review there. Join support groups like It’s Time for Ethics in Addiction Treatment and share your review there, too. They have a public and private page.
🔸 Why This Matters
Every review adds to the public record.
It:
▶Helps future patients avoid trauma
▶Builds a searchable footprint for lawyers and journalists
▶Applies public pressure on bad actors
▶May force facilities to change practices
▶The goal is not revenge — it’s protection. People deserve to know what they’re walking into when they seek help.
Consider Legal Help:
▶If you were mistreated, endangered, abandoned, or scammed — and you have records — you may have a legal case. Try to consult with a personal injury or medical malpractice attorney. It’s not easy, but your story matters, and you deserve justice.
Make Noise:
▶Share the petition. Post your story on social media. Make a TikTok, tag American Addiction Centers by name. Be loud. Use every channel available to you. It’s okay to feel scared — but you are not powerless.
▶Reach Out:
You can always message me directly. If you’re reading this, you’re not alone.
Why Sharing Your Story Matters
By speaking out, you help:
➤ Protect others from falling victim
➤ Build a record of abuse and patterns that pressure authorities to act
➤ Empower survivors to stand up and fight for change
🔹 Make Noise on Social Media — Loudly & Strategically
Social media is one of your most powerful weapons. If you feel angry, hurt, scared, or ignored — put that energy where it can’t be silenced.
Here’s how to make your story seen:
✅ TikTok
▶Make a short video explaining your experience (even just your voice or text over visuals if you’re not ready to show your face).
▶Use a caption that includes the full name of the rehab, like:
"American Addiction Centers survivor",
"Solutions Recovery Nevada ruined my recovery", or
"River Oaks Treatment Center negligence story".
▶Tag those names in the caption and hashtags:
#AmericanAddictionCenters #AACSurvivor #RiverOaks #SolutionsRecovery
TikTok’s algorithm favors raw, authentic posts — even if you’re crying or shaky, people will listen.
✅ Facebook
▶Post your review and share your experience in groups like It’s Time for Ethics in Addiction Treatment (public page or private group)
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/ITFEIAT
▶Add tags and keywords in your post so it shows up in searches.
▶Tag friends or other survivors (with their consent) so the message spreads.
📣 Connect With Me Personally
▶My name is Clelia Jane Sheppard. I’m a mostly non-judgmental human being, and I believe in lifting each other up.
▶You can find me on Facebook — friend me, message me, tag me in your post, or just say hello.
▶I will support your posts, like and share your reviews, and help amplify your voice. ▶Together, we can show AAC and their subsidiaries that we are connecting the dots.
✅ Instagram
▶Post screenshots of complaints, quotes from your experience, or even a simple photo with text overlay.
▶Use hashtags like:
#AACSurvivor #AddictionTreatmentTruth #RehabAccountability #AmericanAddictionCenters #SolutionsRecovery
✅ Twitter / X
▶Even if you don’t use it often, it’s worth tweeting at:
@AAC_Tweet (American Addiction Centers)
▶Local news outlets
▶Addiction watchdog orgs
▶A well-timed tweet can spark journalist interest or even go viral.
🔸 Why This Works
Social platforms are searchable. They’re used by:
▶Survivors looking for truth
▶Families trying to vet treatment centers
▶Journalists looking for leads
▶Lawyers researching patterns
▶Advocacy groups trying to gather evidence
▶Even if you feel like your post is small or goes unnoticed — it adds to the wave. And waves become impossible to ignore.
🔹 Addiction Watchdog & Advocacy Organizations
✅ The Addiction Treatment Industry Documented (ATID)
Grassroots watchdog community exposing abuse and fraud in the rehab industry
Instagram: @the.addiction.doc
Collects firsthand stories and documentation
Focused on corporate rehabs, especially those with histories of negligence
✅ NAATP – National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers
Website: https://www.naatp.org
Industry association aiming to improve ethical standards
Has a treatment provider accountability initiative
Publicly posts members that have been sanctioned or removed
✅ Shatterproof
Website: https://www.shatterproof.org
Focuses on transparency, evidence-based care, and treatment quality
Created the ATLAS database that rates rehab facilities based on patient feedback and clinical standards
(Available in several U.S. states)
✅ Rehab Reviews (by The Fix, now archived)
Website (archived): https://www.thefix.com/rehab-reviews
Published detailed reviews of addiction centers from former patients and staff
Still used by many when researching a facility’s reputation
✅ The Body Brokers Exposed (on Facebook and Reddit)
Grassroots groups calling out unethical recruitment practices
Often tied to whistleblower posts, investigative journalism, or survivor stories
🔹 Media & Legal Advocacy Groups Investigating Rehab Abuse
✅ Reveal / The Center for Investigative Reporting
Website: https://revealnews.org
Published exposés on American Addiction Centers and deaths in for-profit rehabs
✅ ProPublica
Website: https://www.propublica.org
Investigates healthcare industry abuses, including rehab fraud and insurance exploitation
✅ Partnership to End Addiction
Website: https://drugfree.org
Focuses on helping families navigate treatment and advocate for better standards
If you’ve been affected, comment below. You are not alone. Your voice has power — and together, our voices can become impossible to ignore.The truth is, I’ve heard from even the worst cases that any kind of legal action can take years to resolve, and you will likely be gaslit or ignored throughout the process. The most honest and effective thing you can do right now is share your story online. That way, when other desperate families search for help, they won’t just find a pristine marketing image—they’ll see a balanced and fair picture. Some people may dismiss negative stories as just a small portion of experiences, but at least you’ll know you did your part to raise awareness. Your story might even convince someone to choose a safer, smaller, and more trustworthy place for their recovery.
The most important thing is your mental health. It can be incredibly overwhelming to see list after list — no matter how many colorful emojis there are — telling you what to do when it might feel like it leads nowhere. That’s why many people give up and say, “Hey, let the past go.” But for me personally, my past came back to haunt me because it was never formally addressed or dealt with. Sometimes, staying silent and just “letting go and letting God” actually sets someone else up to go through the same harm you did. In my mind, doing this is important as a responsible citizen to protect others — but before you can help anyone else, you must help yourself. So your first goal has to be your health and finding a way to detox safely before starting any legal battle.
A little transparency and honesty can make a huge difference. It’s about paying it forward. It might feel overwhelming to put in all the effort, but think of that one person who might not be a good fit for this place — someone who is really struggling and shouldn’t be there because they risk being discharged, ending up homeless, or even worse, not being with us today. Sharing your truth could help protect them.
And finally, I completely understand the shame and fear that comes with this. It can be really daunting to come forward—whether it’s the embarrassment of having been inside one of these places, worries about how it might affect future job prospects, or concerns about privacy. But from my experience, the truth tends to come out eventually anyway. If sharing your story helps you feel more honest and authentic, it can also be deeply cathartic.
You might be surprised by how many people keep this kind of experience a secret, even though so many Americans have either sought treatment for co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues or know someone who has. It’s far more common than people realize.
As the saying goes, we are only as sick as our secrets. For me, staying silent over the years—pretending everything was okay despite things that happened during treatment that actually made my life worse—became a breaking point. I realized that pretending, especially when everyone can see the truth underneath, only keeps the harmful cycle going. So why not make some noise and say, this is not ethical, and it’s not right? Speaking out is part of breaking that cycle.
Lastly:
▶In my experience, the core issue with this facility is that it is fundamentally unequipped to handle serious medical or psychological conditions, despite marketing itself as a comprehensive treatment center. They claim to provide detox and aftercare services, yet they consistently fall short—even failing to manage basic detox protocols safely. It's deeply misleading for them to present themselves as a medical facility when they cannot provide adequate medical oversight or support.
▶One of the most troubling aspects is their use of “informed consent” forms, often signed by individuals who are actively intoxicated, cognitively impaired, or otherwise legally unable to give true consent. This practice is not only unethical, it's potentially illegal.
▶Moreover, the environment is not as safe or supportive as advertised. If you offend the wrong staff member or clash with a director's ego, you can be arbitrarily discharged—sometimes literally thrown out onto the street, regardless of your condition or risk level. This is not just unprofessional, it’s dangerous.
▶The facility routinely breaks its promises and withholds the truth about its troubled history. People deserve transparency, especially when they’re in a vulnerable state and making life-altering decisions. Leading individuals to believe they’re in a safe, professional space—only to abandon them when they become difficult or inconvenient—is both deceptive and harmful.
▶Addiction is a life-or-death issue. Facilities like this charge enormous sums precisely because they claim to have the expertise to handle the complex needs of people in crisis. If, after decades of operation, they still cannot manage the expected behavioral and medical challenges of addiction treatment—if patients are dying on campus from overdoses, if drugs are circulating unchecked—then they should not be in business. They should not be taking people’s money, and they certainly should not be marketing themselves as a sanctuary for healing.
▶Worse, they actively body broker people into attending, luring them in with false promises and vague assurances. Once admitted, they charge exorbitant fees, sometimes continuing to bill even after wrongfully discharging a patient—or worse, after a patient has died under their watch. Serious medical emergencies are routinely outsourced to 911, essentially pushing their responsibility onto overwhelmed emergency services. That’s not sustainable or ethical care.
▶They promise the world, but deliver far less. They ask patients to fill out endless assessments, discuss aftercare and PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs), and create the appearance of individualized treatment. But when it really matters—when a patient becomes difficult, relapses, or simply requires more support—they’re often discharged without proper explanation, with their entire case history dismissed or ignored. The follow-through is practically nonexistent.
▶This shows the true nature of the facility: not as a healing environment, but as a business prioritizing profit over care. If a patient clashes with the wrong staff member or offends the ego of a director, they can be thrown out—regardless of their condition or risks. The facility does not appear to be prepared for the realities of treating addiction, which inherently comes with challenging behaviors, complex trauma, and medical risk. If, after decades of operation, they still can’t manage those realities without people ending up in the ICU—or worse, dead—then they have no business being open, let alone taking people’s money.
▶Addiction is not a PR opportunity. It's a life-threatening condition. Facilities like this are supposed to be sanctuaries for the sick and vulnerable—not revolving doors that abandon people at their most fragile, while profiting off their suffering. The public deserves to know the truth.
▶This facility shows a glaring lack of accountability and follow-through when it comes to patient care—but no such issues exist when it comes to their billing department or sales tactics. Once someone visits their website or makes a single inquiry, the cold calls begin—often aggressive, persistent, and directed not just at the individual but at their family members as well. They push hard to get people in the door, offering incentives that patients often aren’t fully informed about, including promises to cover flights or travel costs, regardless of whether the person is stable, medically cleared, or even safe to travel. It's a high-pressure sales environment, not a thoughtful, compassionate intake process. They seem far more invested in securing a payment than in assessing whether the patient is truly ready or able to receive care.
▶The fact that ego and personality conflicts can determine whether a patient is allowed to stay or continue treatment speaks volumes about the lack of professional training among staff. Rather than recognizing that patients' behaviors are symptoms of addiction and mental illness, some staff take things personally—treating those in crisis with judgment instead of compassion. This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the disease they are supposedly there to treat.
▶Many of the staff appear to be underqualified or poorly prepared, including those hired shortly after completing the program themselves. While lived experience has value, it cannot replace the need for professional training, emotional maturity, and clinical understanding. These individuals are often unequipped to guide others through complex mental health challenges and frequently fail to recognize or appropriately respond to signs of acute distress.
▶The techs and assistants tasked with monitoring patients—those often on the frontlines—seemed uninformed, disengaged, and in many cases, indifferent. A few genuinely cared and made a meaningful difference, but the overall trend was troubling: a team largely lacking in understanding of addiction's biological, psychological, and social dimensions. That kind of ignorance is not just inadequate—it’s dangerous in a setting meant to foster recovery.
#JusticeForSurvivors
#SafeRecovery
#AmericanAddictionCenters