Sunshine Coast Health Centre - Powell River, British Columbia

Vishal K.

Our experience with this rehab center has been nothing short of devastating. My brother was admitted here in hopes of getting real help for his addiction and mental health issues, but what we got instead was pure negligence and complete disregard for his well-being.

The so-called "doctor" assigned to him saw him virtually for most of his sessions—never once taking the time to properly evaluate him in person, let alone request his previous medical records or history. Without any proper assessment, they made the reckless decision to completely take him off his existing medications, medications that had helped stabilize him in the past.

Despite our repeated attempts to warn them, to advocate for his needs, and to provide context, we were ignored and brushed off. The result? He came back in a far worse state than when he left. His mental health has deteriorated alarmingly, and his addiction has only worsened. It’s clear the doctor lacked the professional diligence or care required to treat vulnerable individuals.

This facility sold us a dream and charged a fortune for it, putting our family under immense financial strain. What we got in return was a complete nightmare. Their promises were empty, their treatment plan careless, and their impact on our family has been nothing but destructive.

We feel betrayed, heartbroken, and outraged. Please—do not send your loved ones here. If you care about their recovery, look elsewhere. This place has done irreparable harm to my brother, and I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone

Jagjit K.

I’m so disappointed of this facility because I sent my son to get better but he came back worst Dr Stuart Howard misdiagnosed and stopped all the medication. He came back worse because Dr. Said he is not Bipolar. Now he is not listening because the doctor Howard said he had only ADHD.Our hard earned money went to drain because of misdiagnosis. Our life is hell because he don’t want to take his bipolar medication. Our hard earned $60,000 went to drain. I’m very very disappointed and never recommend anyone to SCHC because they took your money doesn’t matter if you loved one’s treatment is right or wrong. I want my money back I already seen your services that cause hell in our life. Instead of helping it causes major problems in my son’s life. If something happens to him all because of Dr.Stuart Howard’s misdiagnosis.

Karen K.

This facility makes particular note that they are not only a treatment center for substance use, but that they also provide care for those who struggle with mental health. That was a huge reason why we chose to send my husband there, we really wanted him to get top notch care and therapy. Before my husband left for treatment he was so full of hope and ready to change his life. I advocated for my husband and provided as much information as possible about his past history and was told he was a good candidate for this facility. I was also told that if my husband provided his consent they would be able to share information with me. I want to note that my husband provided consent right away. However, anytime I called to raise a concern and ask about how he's doing, I was told "looks like there's nothing noted here so he seems to be doing great." This was surprising to me as my husband and I communicated the whole time he was there and there were so many concerns and issues he was experiencing. He was sent to the center with his current medications and advised of his medication schedule and for the life of me I cannot understand why Dr. Howard decided to take my husband off of his mood stabilizing medications and put him on testosterone and a stimulant for ADHD. I raised concern that my husband had been taken off ADHD stimulant medication in the past because he abuses it. I'm disappointed that Dr. Howard decided my husband did not have bipolar given his history and diagnosis and that he was clearly showing signs of mania, grandiosity, paranoia etc. I was always brushed off about these things and when I finally did speak with the case manager, she herself seemed concerned with what I was telling her and about my husband. She said they were going along with what the doctor said. I want to mention that while my husband was there he also witnessed the death of a fellow patient and was traumatized by this. My husband himself said he almost drowned there as well and I couldn't believe that the facility didn't even give an update on this, I had to bring it up myself. I really question how closely this facility monitors and supervises the patients and keeps them safe. If this facility and it's staff monitor patients, then how could all these concerning things have happened and been missed with my husband, I find it troubling. To Dr. Howard, you sent my husband into a full blown manic episode upon his return thanks to taking him off his life saving meds and saying you don't think he has bipolar, but just ADHD and substance use. If this was the case, my husband should have come back healed. His psychiatrist and family doctor here are just as baffled as to how you could come to this conclusion given his history. Just so you know, he is now in a completely unstable state and we are in a life/death situation with him. His meds were the one thing that kept him stabilized. I have contacted the facility since my husbands return to let them know what's been going on. Your facility says they provide ongoing support, WHAT A LIE. I have called numerous times and been given NO SUPPORT, better yet, I have been told since my husband is no longer a patient there, we can have no contact with Dr. Stuart Howard. WHAT A JOKE. We can't even get answers from the doctor who was treating him. Something is very wrong at this centre and accountability needs to be taken. This isn't just about money, it's about people's lives. Shame on the Sunshine Coast Health Centre. I will not stop spreading the word about this. There is much more I haven't said, but I can't fit everything in. If anyone else has faced similar issues, please reach out, we need to hold this facility accountable.

Ashleigh S.

I am devastated to share that my husband died while on a supervised, planned excursion organized by this facility. It is my belief that the proper safety precautions were not in place, which contributed to this tragic outcome. This has been an incredibly painful time for our family, and I hope the facility takes responsibility and improves its safety measures going forward.

sukhvinder K.

i send my son to sunshine coast rehab (so called) to this place for 2 months with my hard earned money 58000 dollars.my son is worst then before because he was misdiagnosed by there doctor .he is back on streets helpless. because he is off his bipolar madicines and his family doctor is surprised by his diagnosed by sunshine coast doctor.shame on yu owner of this place yu r just leeches money maker for yr buisness.i would recommend everybody try some other place i wont get my money back but everbody should rethink before yu send yu loved ones to this place

Dave T.

I just finished the program at s c h c i found the staff and councillors to be excellent and very professional the nurses were great I learnt a lot from the program for success in my sobriety and would recommend it to anyone interested in chang

Carla J.

I didn't know that our group were the pilot group after SCTC had offered treatment for free immediately before while they worked out the "kinks".

The staff was militant. They shared private exchanges that occurred outside of the treatment centre and conflict that occurred outside of the sharing rooms. We realized quickly that "Big Brother" was watching. I am not sure if the non counseling staff were obliged to report conflict. Most of it involved the quality and lack of food.

The main counsellor Laura is very new to her profession and not experienced to deal with women who have experienced this degree of trauma.

Going around the room with Spiritual Tarots cards made up the everyday's group sharing. Odd.

In one on one sessions she would review here-say that she thought was concerning even though she wasn't witness to it.
If you disagreed with her interpretation of events then the conversation ended. And you were shamed back to your room. Again perhaps this line of therapy is not Laura's calling.

I believe a more experienced trauma informed clinical psychologist (and staff) should be the only type of professional leading this type of tenuous female group.

Many of us were diagnosed with ADHD via a zoom with a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Stewart whom after a 10 minute conversation was putting women on high doses of adderall (highly addictive methamphetamin.)

There was absolutely no follow up. But 30,000 dollars for the 30 days when they weren't ready to receive us caused so much damage. Both financially and emotionally. This and not having top tier professionals that this place should warrant at this price tag.

I've been convinced to launch a class action suit against the incompetence I experienced SCTC and now dealing with the mistrust I have of these types of rehab facilities that are in it to make money not save lives.

corbin M.

I attened SCHC in the spring of 2023 . This was is hands down a pivotal expierance in my life . The gifts of recovery have been many for all in my life since returning from SCHC . I never thought i would be able to say this .... whatever it took to get me to SCHC was and is worth it .
The program at SCHC is unlike anything i have ever expieranced ... the level of support beyond SCHC doors when i got back home .... has helped
tremendously in transitioning back to day to day life . The attetion to detail in addressing ones needs at SCHC just goes above and beyond and the variety of therapies that are readily available at your fingertips at SCHC is remarkable and life changing .Once i settled in at SCHC ... the feeling i got was i finally arrived home and everyone was happy to have me and just there to help get me on my feet so i could begin to do the most important work of my life ... caring for myself .
The vibe at SCHC is so warm and welcoming ... to be honest by the end of my stay i did not
Want to leave ...for myself it was hard to leave . I look forward to returning one day . The level of care from every staff member was something i had never felt before in my life , not
Only that but the patients as well so warm and welcoming .

This is the best gift you could ever give yourself or someone else . If you are ready to make change and do not know where to start . SCHC can show you the path .... for me i was pretty much crawling when i got there by the time i left i was ready to start walking a path of recovery. SCHC has an approach that was so simple and inviting it made anything seem possible and showed me everyone has something to offer this world and everybody is worth it .
Never give up , its never to late , no matter how
Many ways you have tried , no matter how many times you have tried ... If your willing and teady to make change ... SCHC could be the begining of the life that has been waiting for you !