The Willough at Naples

"I just completed 28 days at The Willough at Naples and my experience was largely quite positive. I went for the treatment of alcoholism and addiction after a relapse. Brent Barber is a gift from Heaven. Nurse Christine is a credit to The Willough and to her profession. Dr. Lado is an excellent clinician and has saved innumerable patients with mental health disorders. - I wish more of the staff were actually in recovery themselves, which is the case at many other treatment programs. - The Willough is a psychiatric hospital, so , if you’re there for alcohol or drugs, you’ll be in a population along with folks who are bipolar, schizophrenic or suffering other psychoses. This will sometimes lead to violence and other misbehaviors (as was the case while I was there). There were an awful lot of homeless folks in The Willough when I was there, which made things interesting. - there is very little group therapy - two or three group meetings per day and an AA/NA/CA meeting each evening - and no real individual therapy. Other places I’ve been have wall-to-wall sessions all day, every day, so be prepared with reading materials or playing cards. You’ll have a lot of down time. - there’s no gym or track to exercise. Walk as much as possible indoors and try to get approval in advance for using rubber exercise bands. You’ll eat a lot and it’s hard to not gain weight. - bring plenty of cigarettes if you’re a smoker. There’s no vending machine for cigarettes and they cannot be delivered by friends or family members (this was a policy change during my stay and was met with great consternation by the patients who smoke). I’m not a smoker, but I witnessed otherwise sane people become crazy if smoke breaks were delayed or they’re in nicotine withdrawal. - the food is good and the portions are generous. There are three meals and three snack breaks every day, so it’s hard to keep the pounds off. - The Willough relies a lot on medication for treatment. This was fine for me, but a lot of folks aren’t crazy about taking pills. The staff only provides (as best I could tell) generics, so if you take expensive brand medications (Jardiance, Farxiga, Trintellix, etc.) - bring it with you. And make sure any unused expensive medications are returned when you’re discharged. Over $1,000 of my own medications were lost or misplaced. - the rooms are fine, although not great. Typical uncomfortable hospital mattresses and pillows. The “300 wing” is the best, and was mostly for folks over 60 while I was there. I began in a single room on that wing but was moved to a double room (and then a triple) on the “200” wing. There are no televisions in the rooms. - As is usually the case, things are greatly exaggerated in rehab. Fights over the use the phone or which channel to watch on the community television or who’ll get to use the 1-2 laundry washers/dryers - all are inevitable. This was my third inpatient rehab. It’s a far cry from the Betty Ford Center, where I was in 2004. Some people will complain about anything and everything, but for people committed to their recovery, The Willough is perfectly fine. I’m glad I was there after my own relapse."

"The place is filthy dirty don't let the Google pictures fool you. I admitted myself, and when ui was taken to the back rooms I signed myself right out. The water dispenser had so much dirt, the walls were filthy cobwebs on TV and in corners of ceiling. I left went right back to hospital were I felt safe"

"I can't thank all of the amazing staff that took care of me enough. I had been to countless doctors and never got help like I received at The Willoughs. The staff treated me with such kindness, care, and compassion. The facility is great! Rooms are nice. The environment doesnt make you feel uncomfortable. Pool is beautiful and the activities aren't bad. The therapists is are all fantastic in their own way. Dr. Lodo is the first doctor in 20 years to diagnose me correctly. He treated me with respect and dignity. He listened and gave me validation. He is a brilliant psychiatrist and a good man. I look forward to continuing my aftercare with him."

"I gave a 5 star but Dr. lardo should be fired he is not nice and he shouldn't have the final say so if you get to come in or not he said I carried my addiction on top of the cross above my lord and savior he is quacked out. They let you use the phones just not during group's they have a pool backet ball and tennis court arts and crafts. This is the best place to go to it would be even better if they got rid of Dr. Lardo. The staff is nice I never had a problem with any of the staff members just doctor lardo"