Ascendant Detox - NYC

Denis Ryan

I can't say enough great things about this facility! I had a particularly bad relapse and needed inpatient treatment. Now, a year later I am still clean and sober! I consider myself blessed to have picked Ascendant. The staff was highly professional and my care was outstanding. I felt safe and well taken care of. Just a reminder (goes for me as well) the work continues as soon as you're released. Find a recovery/support group that works for you and put in the effort, it's well worth it. You too can live your best life like me!

Peter McKechnie

***I only attended IOP (intensive outpatient program) at Ascendant, I did not go through their detox or inpatient rehab.*** It was decent, pretty average, but definitely nothing average about the price. It's expensive. If you're a cash-pay, I would say it's not worth the price. The IOP is 3 nights per week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, from 6pm to 8.30pm (on the rare occasion group may last until 9pm). There are two group sessions per night, usually 6pm to 7.15pm and then 7.30pm to 8.30pm or so. There are some great counselors leading the group sessions, but the ratio of "patients / addicts" to counselors is poor. I've done a couple of other IOPs, and the groups at Ascendant are the largest that I've witnessed. Sometimes the groups were so large, and the rooms so tiny, that it was physically uncomfortable to be in (Monday nights especially). *Also, one of the group sessions is just an AA/NA meeting.* Breaking down Ascendant's fees, each group costs a little over 400$. That's 400$ for a free AA/NA meeting lol. Aside from the group sessions, you also get a one on one with a counselor every week for 1 hour. I can't say I utilized this very often. I do know that there are some really good counselors (if you can, work with Jason, dude knows his stuff). There weren't any "bad" counselors, but you do have advocate for yourself heavily to get things done. I.e., I needed my counselor to reach out to my PO, and I had to remind dude 3 times to do it. Not really a huge deal because my PO is super chill, but that's not always the case. I asked for my counselor for a referral - still waiting on that one lol. I think maybe some counselors are maybe overworked / overscheduled. But advocate for yourself and you'll be straight. There didn't seem to be any organized sort of treatment curriculum or agenda. It just came down to whatever that particular counselor wanted to do in that group - or sometimes the groups decided what we wanted to speak about that day. That's not always a bad thing, had some great groups, but also had some totally directionless and useless groups. Also, did you read about Ascendant saying they utilized their unique NYC location by doing "interactive" groups at different places in the city? Yeah that doesn't happen (there was 1 bowling night in the entire two months I was there lol). I did an IOP at Freedom Institute, and the comparison is night and day. At Freedom Institute, you were given basically a curriculum, a binder full of materials, you would send a couple weeks on CBT, then DBT, then Meditation, there was acupuncture groups, art therapy groups, etc. It was honestly much better, much more organized, and significantly cheaper. Groups were smaller, much smaller. These other reviews that are like 1 stars screaming how terrible and unethical it is - I didn't see any of that. But, these 5 star reviews proclaiming Ascendant to be radically life-altering, unbelievably amazing rah rah rah, are equally absurd (also a little weird that most of the 5 star reviewers only have 1 or 2 reviews to their profile - that's usually not a good sign lol). Ascendant wasn't bad by any means, it just wasn't good. When you slap a 5 digit price tag on your program, then you gotta produce. It doesn't. I don't regret my time at Ascendant, I just can't honestly say it was worth the fees. At the end of the day, unless your insurance is cool with paying for the whole ride, you're better off taking that time and investing it into a 12 step program. They have some really good snacks. Order pizza once a week too. Lol.

Kyle Hunt

It’s true that Ascendant’s facilities are updated and clean, the food is fantastic, and the amenities are many. It’s a very comfortable space – well managed, organized and leaves little to ask for. But those things aren’t what set this place apart for me. I first came to Ascendant’s detox program not knowing what to expect, both foggy and reluctant. I made my choice after a brief search for top detox programs in NYC and couldn’t have been more fortunate -- from the initial intake signatures to the moment I was discharged and beyond, I felt understood and comfortable with the incredible people they have on staff. This isn’t limited to the clinical team -- discussions with whom I still think about daily a year later -- everyone is good at their job, and everyone cares about your wellbeing, from the techs to the nurses and counselors. For detox patients – a week is not a long time. I was very impressed by Ascendant’s investment in this cohort, given our imminent return to the “real” world. It doesn’t end at physical recuperation; there are daily groups, 1:1 sessions, activities – despite the shorter stay. It’s as if someone had actually considered how to best make use of a very limited amount of time to maximize the chances of our success. I took a lot away from these, and they should be taken advantage of. To those unfortunate enough to need it, I couldn’t give Ascendant a higher recommendation.

Christopher White

Ascendant detox/rehab. I was a patient here for 35 days. When I arrived there I was broken. Physically,mentally and spiritually. My head so filled with fog I couldn't spell my own name. Hopeless. I was immediately and safely detoxed and my medical needs were attended too. From there I moved on to the rehab section of ascendant. I cannot say enough for what they did for me. I trusted them with my life and they saved it. They gave me all the attention and tools I needed to regain my life and live a clean and sober life. The facilities were modern and clean. The staff from top to bottom was first class. From the techs to the medical staff to the counselors. I was treated with respect and dignity at all times. Business aside these are good people who love their job and care for you and it shows. There are many people there who I consider to be a friend as they do me. They go above and beyond and if I ever needed or need anything they always have time for me. Even now. Four months after I completed inpatient. I am now 5 months into sobriety and have completed all of the outpatient part of my therapy. I still attend the weekly alumni groups because I want all of ascendant to continue to be a part of my journey. I am eternally grateful for ascendant and their great staff of kind and caring people. I would absolutely recommend ascendant to anyone who wants to change their life and is willing to have an open mind. There cannot be anywhere that could possibly be more helpful than ascendant.