“Spending over forty years in the entertainment business allowed me to meet many talented people. It wasn’t long before I saw alcohol and drugs cut so many great musical careers short. It almost seemed that those great creative minds were more susceptible to addiction. I too found a day were alcohol was about to take its toll! Fortunately I came to Schick Shadel Hospital and twenty years later… I am as healthy and happy as ever. It’s absolutely true when they say; Give us ten days and we’ll give you back your life.”

Pat O'Day
Member Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
"I had reached a position in life that my greatest hope was to not hurt anyone else when I ended up in a drunk driving wreck.  My state of hopelessness was based on my belief that no treatment program would work for me, and if it did work, that life would be boring and not worth living without getting buzzed every night.

Something totally unexpected changed my way of thinking and saved my life. My best friend, Fred (who I considered to be the worst drunk I knew) told me he was going to go through aversion therapy in a 10 day program. I told him I didn’t think it would work and that if it did, he would probably be unhappy, bored and boring to be around, but that if it did work, after one year I would do it also.

During that year, my best friend Fred (we had a group of drunks for friends) took our money playing poker, out hunted and out dived us (our circle of friends were all scuba divers) and when he became too popular with our girlfriends, I knew it was time to follow his example. I checked in for treatment one year to the day after he treated, that was 26 years ago.  My friend was clean and sober until he died of melanoma in 2000.  I thank Fred and SSH for giving me back my life."
Richard
Malibu, CA
“I was at the end of my rope. Friends and family were done with me. Except one. My father. Dad and I share more than the same genes, we share the same disease, alcoholism. Dad had gone to Schick Shadel over twenty years before I did. He is still sober. I knew him as an alcoholic and I knew him as a man who had control of his life. I wanted that control. Over two years have passed and I’m no longer sick with alcoholism. Schick truly gave me back my life.”
Mason
Architect
San Francisco, CA
"I just wanted to e-mail you to tell you, “Thank you and bless Schick Shadel!”  I entered the doors of Schick Shadel a short 98 days ago.  What can I say, I thought when I walked in that if you could cure me in 10 days it would be a small miracle.  I am proud to say now, “I am a non-user.” 

So much has already changed in my life….friends…work…but most precious to me is my relationship with my 14 year old daughter.  I find myself creating more fun and happiness in my life.  I have sent two of my friends thru the program since I left and they are doing great as well.  You guys keep doing the good work….10 days at a time!”

Sheryl M.
Portland, OR
"My journey to Schick was quite an amazing trek. Previous to Schick, I was no stranger to the world of detox and treatment programs.  My motto was “never quit quitting”.  After three different treatment centres, 90 meetings in 90 days, and 14 visits to withdrawal management centre (detox) for 5-10 days per visit, I was most certainly following my motto, but my will to live was running out. Although I had everything to live for, a great husband, seven wonderful children, a successful business, it seemed as if there was nothing that could save me from the road to death that I was on. I was dead inside, just waiting to die outside. I was giving in to the disease, and giving up on life.

Then came the intervention, but it was “divine”. I decided that I couldn’t take it anymore and although my memory is foggy about that night, I felt like I was watching myself as I walked down the steps into my pool. I was fully clothed, crying, and very drunk. Suddenly, still watching myself, I got out of the pool, and proceeded to go into the house, down the stairs, sat at the computer, and began to search.

For about two months thereafter, I would call Schick, in the middle of the night, drunk, and depressed. I was trying to convince all those in my life that this treatment was “different” and that I truly believed that it would work for me. It didn’t matter that it was a five 1/2 hour flight away, and I had to come up with $20,000.00. The biggest roadblock was that “absolutely no one” had ever heard of this place before. I asked Doctors, Addiction Counselors, everyone that I could. Not only had they never heard of Schick-Shadel Hospital, but they knew nothing of aversion or sleep therapy for the treatment of addiction. I knew as little as they did, but I was still going to go no matter what I had to do to get there, I just couldn’t escape the strong knowing inside me.

Poor Shauna Za listened to me almost every night until the day that I arrived there. She played an enormous role in my journey to Schick. She listened to me over and over, and she loved me when I couldn’t love myself. She assured me that I would get my miracle, just as she had. I believed her.

For reasons unknown to me, I just knew whatever it was; it was going to work for me. My arrival at Schick, was the end of my addiction: And the beginning of my life.
Lynn P.
Windsor, Ontorio, Canada

“I want to do anything that I can or will help others. When I came to Schick I didn't think it would work, and in fact, I even said it at my first meeting I sat in. After trying two other treatment places, I didn't think anyplace would work.

To tell you the truth, I figured I would die a drunk and I had given up on life. So thanks to your hospital, and of course Pat O'Day on KJR sports radio. I can’t help but think that what I have to share might just help one person out there.  And if I can do that, it would make me a very happy man. So with all of that, thanks for allowing me to help.

Once more anything I can contribute please don’t hesitate to ask."
Mike K
Seattle, WA
"Nearly nine years have gone by since my life was controlled by alcohol. It's amazing how much I can remember about a time in my life I would just as soon forget. I now have two sons who, thank goodness, never saw their dad drunk. I also still have a beautiful wife who never really gave up on me and still reminds me how proud she is of my accomplishments. My wife now has a husband and the boys, well, have a pretty awesome dad. Now when I cry it's because of a sad movie or a touching story – not tears of guilt or self-pity. It's now genuine. My life is genuine."
Sean Nicholas
Bothell, Washington
“While playing football at the University of Texas, I was always training and preparing to win. Performance is everything in sports. I quickly discovered the same holds true in the world of business. When I found that drinking had started to affect my edge I wanted to get treated by the best. My research led me to Schick Shadel Hospital. Not only did they take away my cravings for alcohol- Schick did it in just ten days. I was able to conduct business from the privacy of my room and my life was uninterrupted by the Schick treatment method.”
Jim Graham
Texas Oil Executive
"I chose Schick Shadel Hospital because I had friends who treated at the traditional programs with little success. I needed the aversion therapy and other treatments. I am now sober and I owe it all to the staff and the treatment they offer."
Archie Leal
Federal Way, Washington
"There is not a day that goes by that I do not count Schick Shadel among the blessings I have had in my life. I was so badly broken by my relapse that I do not feel that I could have found the courage on my own to remain clean."
Christina Snyder
San Diego, California
"I can't thank Schick Shadel Hospital enough for what they have done for me. The treatment there made it so easy to stay away from alcohol - it was unbelievable. My life has totally changed since I treated, and it would have never happened if I hadn't stopped drinking."
Stacy Vowels
Des Moines, Washington
"When I left after treatment, I have had absolutely no desire nor had another drink in 22 years. Who says you can be successful in sobriety and have fun doing it? I DO! Now many people recognize me, not as a drunk, but as a successful community provider."
Joe Brennan
Former City Councilman
"Schick Shadel Hospital was my final hope. I had tried it all and was sure I could never stay sober. It has been since 1984 that I treated and I have never had a drink or a desire to drink. It was truly like a miracle."
Paul Villagiante
Vacaville, California
"I treated at Schick Shadel Hospital in 1998 and have had no temptation to drink since I left the program. The aversion therapy totally removed the craving that controlled me for so many years. It has given me my life back."
Lowell Peterson
Yakatat, Alaska
“Before my treatment at Schick Shadel, I couldn’t imagine my life without drinking. I also couldn’t imagine going to “rehab” for one or two months! In just ten days my life was transformed. No more hopelessness, no more depression and no more cravings. I have rediscovered how great life can be…thank you Schick Shadel Hospital.” In just ten days my life was transformed and I rediscovered how great life can be.”
Shauna Z
Entertainer
From my heart, I’m extremely happy with my decision to treat at Schick. As a successful person with a great family, I only needed to end my problem with alcohol. And I wanted to attack the problem and get on with it. Schick treatment and dedicated staff helped me to do just that. Schick’s treatment works, and it’s probably worth twice the price.”
Don Everest
Snohomish, WA
"I tried several times to quit on my own, but that route never lasted. That is when I turned to Schick Shadel Hospital. I am now alcohol free, and I owe all of my thanks to the caring and professional staff at Schick Shadel Hospital. I feel good now. My life is back in order, and my confidence and self-esteem have been restored."
Leona Stockton
Fairbanks, Alaska
"We both treated at Schick Shadel Hospital, and it is the best thing we have ever done. Neither of us has had any craving. The staff treats you with respect and dignity, and it has changed our lives. I am now the number one salesperson in my office and my husband's business has quadrupled. We are so thankful."
Carleen & Ken Long
Truckee, California
"I treated in 1974 for alcohol and have never, ever, came close to having a drink. Even when times were very tough, I was never tempted to drink alcohol. I owe my life to the kind people at Schick Shadel Hospital and I still keep in touch with them."
Virginia Wasilchen
Bothell, Washington
"Schick Shadel Hospital is the only place in the United States where you can turn your life around in 10 days. I would have just given them the money to keep the place open after all it has done for me and many of my friends."
Thomas J. Schulstad
Owner, Schick Shadel Hospital