Dewey Center

"I spent 29 days as a patient in the live-in residential substance abuse rehabilitation program. My parents found this program after reaching out to other people in their lives that had prior experience with loved ones suffering from substance abuse, and received positive feedback about the Dewey Center. They were absolutely correct. I truly believe that this place has saved my life. The admissions process (walk-in assessment) was seamless. From the first moment I entered, staff was amazing. From the nurses, therapists, aids, cooks, and physicians, I could not have asked for better care. I established close relationships with all of my providers, and I know that every staff member who helped take care of me truly cared about me. My therapists did an excellent job of facilitating both large and small groups, and were available to talk individually any time I requested. I learned SO much throughout my time in residential. I cannot say enough about the incredible nursing staff, who was incredibly supportive and attentive to my needs 24/7. I met with my physician, Dr. Mehta, every single weekday of admission. He was incredible not just at medication management, but also with counseling and education, and really listened to my concerns each day. I will continue to follow with him after discharge, as I do not want to leave the excellent care of the Dewey Center. In addition to the excellent staff and programming, the facility was very nice, with the individual rooms as nice as a fancy hotel room. Thank you for saving my life, Dewey center."

"It was a very unpleasant experience. Felt like prison, yet I wasn’t even inpatient. The admitting process was appalling. Maybe you’ll have a different experience, but definitely explore other options. Certainly get help anywhere if you are at the end of your rope or even before a crisis. Mental health is a serious issue and families with a history of drug addiction should be treated in a nonjudgmental and respectful manner. Perhaps stay clear, if you have that history. All patients should be treated with dignity whatever their circumstances are and efforts should be made to make them feel welcome, comfortable and safe. I did not feel that in my experience. I felt uninformed, uncomfortable, and often felt as if I were in a police interrogation room and for three hours with very little interaction with staff and ultimately no feasible outcome whatsoever. Staff seemed tired and flat with no compassion. Perhaps they were overwhelmed with their jobs or they were having a bad day or just biased. I could go on, but remember to shop around before you hit a crisis. Good luck and stay safe."

"This place is ridiculous, God forbid you have a loved one in their program- because you can't get through to ANYONE. AND when you do, they don't call you back, or engage family at all. I've been calling religiously 3 days in a row here, with no answer. People here are collecting paychecks and going home. It's ridiculous."

"Came here 24 years ago. Staff was amazing. Therapist did not do much for me, I young and did not trust her. It was a gym staff member sharing a personal life experience and lost someone. Changed my life. Clean ever since, thank you"

"Talia A at Dewey Center was incredibly rude, and acted as if she doesn’t care about her patients, tried arguing with me because I told her I was having suicidal thoughts and she told me, I can try another facility, but not to go to any other Aurora facility as they are all connected. She said she wouldn’t be putting in a word to the doctor of how I was feeling and that I had to leave. I was disappointed as I went back home and if it wasn’t for a close friend I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I definitely don’t recommend her but I do think it’s overall a nice facility, just some staff like Talia, who doesn’t really care about the patients well being. Prayers to anyone going through anything right now. I hope you get through it."