I attended the Phoenix Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in 2010. Though I completed the program, I would not recommend this place for addicts seeking recovery. The Director of Rehabilitation, Rosemarie Abernethy, is extremely unprofessional and abusive. The old adage that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely applies here. Captain James Boyd runs the business end of the center -- donation collections and sale at Metro Phoenix S.A. thrift stores. Though he is also responsible for the rehab, he has given Ms. Abernethy complete control over the program. Ms. Abernethy runs the rehab Nazi style, relishing and misusing her power. She is abusive to fellow S.A. employees, staff and ""beneficiaries"" (patients) alike. She regularly yells at managers in staff meetings. She publicly shames beneficiaries whom she is supposedly helping. Though asked when she assumed this role not to create a prison-like atmosphere, this is exactly what she has accomplished. She is a horrible judge of character. She discriminates against African Americans, hispanics, gay men and anyone whose personality doesn't jive with her world view. She is well known to area E.R. Physicians since she refuses to provide prescribed medication (non-narcotic) contrary to doctors orders. Worst of all, she is a hypocrit, invoking her will in the name of God; spewing platitudes on recovery,when she is obviously not able to follow her own advice as a raging food addict (she is grossly overweight). Steer clear of this particular ARC. Though it can be a good program, until Ms. Abernethy's reign is over, Phoenix is not a good choice.
more