First Step Services, LLC

I went voluntarily to get help and these people treat you like a child... Most people were there for dwi and were forced to go... I left wanting to go back to my old ways... Horrible place wouldn't recommend to anyone... Tracing my hand and writing who I'm thankful for wasn't my idea of treatment to overcome my issues... I needed coping skills... I would never ever recommend this place ... No concern... And day after day the counselor picked on the same girl in our group... Hands down not a good idea if your looking for positive reinforcement and support more

I went voluntarily to get help and these people treat you like a child... Most people were there for dwi and were forced to go... I left wanting to go back to my old ways... Horrible place wouldn't recommend to anyone... Tracing my hand and writing who I'm thankful for wasn't my idea of treatment to overcome my issues... I needed coping skills... I would never ever recommend this place ... No concern... And day after day the counselor picked on the same girl in our group... Hands down not a good idea if your looking for positive reinforcement and support more

I was arrested for Assault and have to do DOSE and alcohol treatment. I was a little nervous at first but after a few groups I felt at ease. I felt very calm because I am around people that have the same problems and thoughts. Cynthia was very calm and so funny. She is serious at group but knows how to have fun. Phyllis is very strong and has a heart of gold. I will never forget them and Ray. I have learned that I can us the tools not just for drinking but in everyday situations. Also that speaking with others about common problems does help. I made a major mistake, and I took responsibility for what happened. I came here to do the program with a good attitude and I have learned from my group sessions and my AA meetings.\r \r \r Another Graduate Reflects\r \r I feel like I just finished running a marathon. As my wife tells me whenever the topic arises (she ran 5 of them the year before we met), completing one depends more on mental than on physical stamina. Nonetheless, although I feel unequivocally and wholly exhausted, I am happy to return to the chaos of my “normal” life. Of course, this doesn’t in the least diminish my deepest appreciation for your caring guidance during these past few months as I began to understand the myriad factors that have contributed to my present circumstances.\r \r I have often marveled at your unfailing ability to create a serene and inviting environment for group sessions, regardless of the identity or number of the participants, whose atmosphere is filled with understanding, safety, and compassion. Of course, this flies in the face of a possible opposing assertion that confining a seemingly incompatible group of strangers to close quarters for three hours while expecting them to share some of their most intimate life details would be unproductive at best. On the contrary, I have discovered that the juxtaposition of my personal situation with those shared by my peers has helped me obtain a quiet and humble appreciation of my many blessings, and so I now feel empowered to continue on my way much happier and confident than if I had tried to reach this point unaided.\r \r Although the completion of this program surely points me in the direction of happier prospects, I also feel somewhat sad. This is because after having made perhaps unconscious but significant connections with some of my peers, I wish I could experience the joy of witnessing their developing stories, including their possible transformation into living and breathing masterpieces consistent with their unique and precious nature, in spite of their past. Douglas Adams’ off-hand existential caricature in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe that “life is wasted on the living” seems strangely appropriate here. Personally, I have no intentions whatsoever of wasting any more of my life.\r Graduate of the First Step Program.\r \r Graduate of the First Step Program\r \r \r more

The previous comment, by a factitious character, appears to be a negative ad by a competitor to smear the good name and reputation of First Step Services. It is somewhat telling and unusual that this posting is entitled with a name of a fellow practitioner. \r \r You can visit www.firststepnc.com and read people’s experiences that are client-submitted feedback about the services at First Step. This company is fully transparent in the staff providing services and the description of the services offered.\r \r First Step is a member of the Raleigh Better Business and Chamber of Commerce. The company is a NC state (NC DWI & DHHS) and nationally credentialed (CARF) facility.\r \r The primary purpose of First Step is to provide evidenced-based practices with a client-centered approach. We have offered same day assessments and with licensed and credentialed counselors who also answer our phones 99% of each time it rings, during business hours.\r \r It is unfortunate that people are not required to post their name with their comments.\r \r Tony Porrett more

Not only were the classes not helpful or interesting, but they did nothing whatsoever towards helping me with the whole reason I went there in the first place, which was to get a misdemeanor possession charge dismissed. In order to pass their classes you must have a negative drug screen. I went through weeks of not smoking to pass their test. First off, nobody called me with the results, and when I called asking for them, nobody answered for over a week. When I FINALLY was assisted they informed me that the test had not even been sent to the lab due to their error and by this time it was already less than 24 hours until I had court. Because they failed to send in the drug screen, rather than taking accountability for the error, they said that ""because we have no record of clean urine (due to them messing up), we must send a letter recommending more intense inpatient treatment to your lawyer."" Obviously that didn't assist me in court, which was their whole job considering they charge an absurd amount per each boring class. They put in little effort to help solve the problem and seemed very clueless. In addition, I gained nothing from their group classes. I had to sit through a couple women's groups and it was basically a bunch of old hags whining about their divorces for 3 hours. I hardly even had a chance to explain what my charges were with how long some of these women rambled. Long story short, Southlight is far better. Don't waste your time here more