U-Turn For Christ is a residential rehab for men trapped in the deceptive, never-ending cycle of addiction. The Camino, California facility offers a Christian Discipleship re-entry program, which provides residents with the opportunity to give back to the community as they recover. U-Turn’s goal is to teach men to evolve into independent, self-supporting and stable under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, becoming an asset to family, church, friends, employers, schools and society along the way.
ABOUT U-TURN FOR CHRIST CAMINO
From a wooded, rural area in northern California, 55 miles northeast of Sacramento, U-Turn for Christ Camino offers Christian residential treatment for men (18+) who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. The facility focuses on reducing the use of any substances that are unnecessary. The treatment process focuses heavily on biblical teachings as a foundation for treatment and life direction. Detox services for clients on psychiatric medications are provided on site. However, these detox services are provided for anyone that takes psychiatric medications and uses an aggressive format to quickly reduce their intake rates. Detox for substance abuse and other issues is not provided. Clients will only be admitted with a 24-hour record of sobriety prior to admission. The facility’s views on homosexuality and gender conformity may be prohibitive to specific clients.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
All treatment options provided by U-Turn for Christ Camino are rooted in biblical teachings. Therefore, alternative methods of treatment that do not involve clinical psychology or 12-steps principles are used. The center sees addiction as a sin, and aims to help its residents achieve restoration through religious teachings and guidance.
There’s a two-month minimum stay, which constitutes the first phase of treatment. An optional, additional second phase lasts six months, and is designed to allow clients to explore religious teachings and lifestyles to a deeper degree. The facility serves a clientele that is involved or interested traditional Christian teachings that can be applied to help clients change their lives.
U-Turn for Christ Camino creates a sober living environment through modeling life skills and lessons off of religious guidance. Clients participate in daily and weekly religious practices while attending educational sessions to learn sober living skills. Clients also participate in volunteer opportunities on the ranch and in the community. This could include working in the facility’s thrift store.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The center is lead by three pastors with support from a range of volunteers and occasional support staff members. These pastors hold the appropriate religious qualifications for their positions. Furthermore, they have extensive experience leading congregations and working clients that are looking for a religious means to change their lives for the better. However, these staff members do not hold certifications or licensure in any form of therapy or counseling.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
For the first two months of treatment, clients may not send or receive phone calls or emails. Rather, communication is limited to postal mail. There is also an initial two-week block on visitation, after which families may come to visit on Sundays. Visitors are limited to immediate family excluding girlfriends and fiancées. U-Turn for Christ is a non-smoking facility, and replacement tobacco sources such as gum and patches are not allowed either. Residents may bring a Bible, but no other reading material is permitted. Photos published on the facility’s website show a simple ranch-style home with an outdoor meeting area and an outdoor exercise area.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
On Google, the facility earned 4.1 out of five stars from 12 reviews; however, several reviews were let in reference to the facility’s thrift store and not the treatment program. The positive reviewers left effusive comments stating that treatment had saved or changed their lives. “This ministry is amazing!! Through the word of God and hours of discipleship my life was changed all praise, honor and glory goes to Jesus Christ for using U Turn for Christ to save a wretched man like me!!!” J.N. wrote in a representative review.
In a negative review, however, Ashley wrote: “They require a ‘donation’ of 1,000 which is not bad for drug and alcohol treatment. But when you get in they ‘rent out’ the occupants to do various jobs around the community which they are paid for. There is no ‘treatment’ or therapy only bible studies and if you break any of their rules they kick you out and try to make you pay again to let you start over.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The single review submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date was from N.M., an unhappy wife whose husband left U-Turn for Christ after just 12 hours. She gave the facility two out of five stars for both its treatment effectiveness and its accommodations and amenities.
In addition, she gave the facility only one out of five stars for its meals and nutrition. “My husband, who was coming down off drugs, was told to dig a 5 foot x 5 foot hole the first day he was there. He immediately left as there was no recovery or withdrawal time,” she wrote.
However, she gave the facility four out of five stars for its level of staff support and its leadership.
FINANCING
Treatment is provided in exchange for a $1,000 donation, which should be paid via money order, cashier’s cheque, or cash, upon arrival. Airport pick-up costs an extra $100.