Camillus Centre

Wonderful experience. I spent 12 days here for the family/codependency program and learned so much. The facility is bright and clean, the staff is kind and supportive. There are rules to follow and they are there for your own and everyone's protection. I highly recommend for a life changing experience, but know it's what you put into it that makes it a success.

First off, for the people complaining about things like "the gym isn't big enough", go spend $10,000+ at a private rehab. You're getting this treatment completely for free. The staff is absolutely fantastic. They're all ex-addicts and I can't say a bad word about any single one of them. Does the program guarantee recovery 100%? Of course not, there's no such thing. If you are a parent, do not force/coerce your kids to come here. You can only succeed if you want it. The reason I came here even though it was so far away was because it was only 1 of 2 free rehab centers in Ontario that offer a methadone taper program. The other one had a very long waiting period, so I came here. I had slowly tapered off of methadone from 100mg to 30mg for over a year before I came here (you must be at 30mg or less for the program). The tapering regime, to my surprise, was only 2 weeks. For the first 48 hours you have to suffer through the withdraw, then they give you suboxone. Over a couple days they get you up to 10-12mg, but a couple days later they already start decreasing your dose my 2mg every 2-3 days. Now I suffered only minor withdrawal through this period until I hit 0mg. Then I was in absolute hell, full on withdrawal that did not get better. Ironically, after you're off the suboxone, you move from the Detox area of the facility which is very lax, to the actual Rehab part of the facility which is very strict. This seemed to be the opposite of how it should have been for me, as when I was on the suboxone I could function fine, yet after I was off the suboxone I couldn't function at all. I tried to keep up in the Rehab section but I felt too awful and couldn't manage the intense schedule. I left a few days later. I suffered from the worst of the withdrawal for 3 weeks at home. After that, most of the symptoms had gone except for the lower back pain and diarrhea. It took another 3 weeks for those symptoms to subside. Either way, here I am a year later and I succeeded in stopping my use. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I just wanted it so bad. I'm not sure if the time saved was worth the intensity of the withdrawal (I could have done a slower suboxone taper at my methadone clinic), but either way, I'm cured, which is something I never thought I'd say. The patients there (at least when I was there) were absolutely fantastic. We were like a family. Here at Camillus I learned to communicate, laugh and enjoy life again without the use of a substance. The speed of the methadone taper is the only reason I'm leaving 4 stars (but at least they offer it! unlike almost every other rehab in the province).

My experience in the family program was empowering, affirming and life-transforming. The pace was hectic but I learned so much about myself and I came away with the ability to speak my truth in a compassionate and loving manner. The counsellors are able to spot individuals that are unable or unwilling to do "the work" it takes to overcome a life-threatening disease. There is a no-nonsense approach but the Centre has been around for so long because their methods work.

Once I got rid of my bad attitude and opened up to being grateful my experience was fabtastic. The staff were knowledgeable and caring. They weren't fool around mentality. They focused on the issues at hand. They did their jobs. Kept me sober. Taught me structure. Gave me responsibility to follow. Got into the real issues behind my addiction. I've been failing lately because of my own choices. I may need to see these people again to rebuild myself. I love and appreciated the experience. Thank you for all you have done.

Amazing. Tapered off of methadone here in 2012. The attendants (Sandy who carried me literally while I was in withdrawels), the cleaning staff, the pastor who makes the food, and the counsellors all saved my life. I was ready and I took it very seriously. It was the last door in the street for me. I've been clean for over 7 years now. Went back learned about my issues with codependency and I'm preparing to get signed up to go back again. They won't cure you but they can give you a jump start on living again. Thank you all so much.

Went here 10 years ago for opiates. I had been to treatment 7 times before this. This was the hardest and the best. They actually drill down into your issues. I also had done medical detox, long term CBT therapy with methadone replacement. Non of it worked. I had to grow up and keep trying. Eventually I did straighten my life out. If you are tired of living that life get yourself here. If you think it's a big joke don't waste yourtime, they will simply remove you from the program. They are tough, but fair, hard, but loving, and they can give you a new start. I now live in the US and have made a life I'm so grateful to have. You can too!

The Camillus Center opened its doors in 1984 and has over 36 years’ experience in helping people and families recover from addiction. People, places and things. There’s a place in Eliot Lake where The Soul is mean to heal. Where you can reborn just need to open your heart by quieting your main the soul will speak. The programs offered by this center are incredible, this center, the program and each of the incredible people who work here are making the word better just by doing what they love to do. The workers in this center are the more noble and kindness people I have ever meet on my life, they safe lives every day , I had the privilege to be one of them. Thank you. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found Was blind but now I see Was Grace that taught my heart to fear And Grace, my fears relieved How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed Through many dangers, toils and snares We have already come T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far And Grace will lead us home And Grace will lead us home Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now am found Was blind but now I see Was blind, but now I see Thank you Jen... If you make here, don’t forget how fortunate you are. Not everyone has the privilege. Just choose to do the right next thing...

My experience wasn't great. But that may be my own stuff. I was concerned when a friend attended a year ago and was able to keep her phone and was able to contact a guy on tinder and that turned out horrifically bad. I'm not sure if she was lying she actually went but she sent pics of her room it sure looked like Camillus. Now she's just a percentage and it doesn't look hopeful.