I wish to slightly revise some comments I made in regards to new comments. I have no doubt as well that I would be dead if I had not gone there, and again things were said to me at the time that I didn't want to hear but needed to hear. I wouldn't take back my experience there and completely understand that everyone cannot be "pleased" with things that happened under previous as well as future staff. I am not trying to point fingers or name names, but I had witnesses in the house while I was there of unfair treatment. The group sessions in my recommendation should discuss everyone's issues, not just one individual's other issues (granted in reflection DID impact a relapse) over & over again. I have no resentments going forward & the management of a facility such as Alcocare must be a huge challenge at times. I just hope that going forward there would be more professionalism with clients. I feel very strongly about this. Granted, things should be said that no addict/alcoholic wants to hear, but my RECOMMENDATION is that this could be done in a bit of a different manner. I am very grateful for Guy, Paulette, Matt, Lori, and other staff that helped to SAVE MY LIFE & I truly hope that Alcocare flourishes in the future. It is a huge blessing to be given the opportunity to go there and I'm so very glad for those at their bottoms to be able to continue to go through treatment. Every single day of my life I take the positive things with me in all aspects of my life. I apologize if I offended anyone by my previous comments, but I do feel very passionately about certain "methods" that were used. But past and hopefully present staff do know what they are doing! And I hope that the previous staff flourishes in new positions. I wish all the best to ALL OF YOU. And THANK YOU FOR CHALLENGING ME AND HELPING TO SAVE MY LIFE.

It seems to me that the new Alco-care board has thrown the previous Alco-care under the bus to advertise their services, In relation to some staff members Guy Onwiler was a Diamond in the rough yet a Diamond who through his reputation attracted many addicts, Why? because he too like Tom Bolan was in recovery himself. I know for a fact that if it weren't for Guy a young woman who is my friends daughter would not be clean for 4 years. In fact her sponsor is on the board. So why then is it not okay for the addicts to not reach out to their counselors for advice when they are no longer in treatment besides the state 3 year law. Addicts are a different breed and for the sake of their sobriety may need not to feel cut off completely of them.But what really antagonized me was the dirty tactics they used to boost the reputation of the new Alco-care. This blame game they used if it trickles down into their therapy it could do a lot of damage to the people with addictions.

Honestly, I don't know all the politics of running a facility such as Alco-Care. I do know that the need is there for a facility of recovery, very much like the Alco-Care. I was in (treatment date 5-11-2011). I believe if the facility concentrates completely on profit, that willl "spill over" to the potential client. When I entered the facility last year, I believe I was near death, and if the need for profit reflected in my admission into Alco-Care, I would not have understood (at the time), and would not have entered the facility.
Alco-Care IS very much known in the community, unlike the statements above. It had a great affect on the recovery community, both inside and outside of the facility. When I was discharged in June of last year, I continuted to attend an AA meeting in Janesville because I thought I could perhaps give back to the place that saved my life. The meeting I had attended was 3/4 filled with both current clients and past clients. That was proof to me that Alco-Care (Guy) was the most instrumental in the Janesville (and surrounding) communities.
In October of 2011, I was hired at Alco-Care, and worked for only 3 shifts, before this "transisition" took place. I harbor no resentments, infact I look at it as another stepping stone and tool in my recovery at that time. I wanted to make my employment known only to make sure I don't appear to deceive the author.
In summary, I believe the community needs a facility, however; I would question the ethics NOW. As I said, I don't know all about the financial dealings, or the politics of a facility, but I do know the human aspect of this. I know if it weren't for Guy Onwiler and a select few employees, I would not be alive today. I don't believe the mission of Alco-Care's founder is being honered today. I do not believe ruining another's reputation for personal or financial gain is not condusive to a recovery facility. Guy is an honerable man, and accepted responsibility for his actions.
I am grateful for the "old" Alco-Care, and believe many lives will be affected (or lost) due to the taticts of a facility that no longer has the clients best needs at heart.
Thank you.

@ happythoughts my main point to begin with was, there is no need to damage others in order to build the current reputation of Alcocare. It is not my desire to focus on the personalities involved. Regardless of what facility you talk about there will be those who experienced positive and negative experiences because we cant please everyone and remain passionate and effective about the task at hand. Alcohab was here for 30 yrs Alcocare since 2007 and the community has been made aware many times of their presence in the community, however because of the confidential nature of treatment (primarily) community recognition has remained low. The management then or now has little to do with current population of the house, it is more about the economy. As for Sue and the board of directors they have worked very hard and made difficult decisions that have and will most likely continue to improve Alcocare. I encourage anyone in need of services to consider Alcocare as their first choice. I believe it is best to focus on your successes rather than others failure. Id like to encourage folks to live in the solution not the problem and the direction Alcocare is heading is the solution.

Healthcare in WI is struggling, and the news surrounding the topic is less than hopeful. Opinions/comments following them are generally negative or sad. Upon reading this article, I zoomed right in on the idea that this may provide hope to some people in the Rock County area. I was looking forward to reading the comments on this one because I thought others would also share their knowledge about what is available out there as far as help. So I admit I was let down when I read the list of comments, as some seemed to be lashing back at the newspaper, and people currently involved. I pray our community can get back on track with assisting the sick and uninsured.

Just want to add one more thing: There were staff members that were extraordinary helpful in my recovery, however some staff did not focus on accurate details of SOBRIETY, rather attacked certain people and seemed to play favorites. Granted, there were things that I didn't want to hear that I have since reflected on and needed to hear, but there was what I believe to be unfair treatment towards many clients at the time. I know I am not the only person who experienced a very negative experience at times, but am happy to know that those who were created the unfair favoritism are taking responsibility for there actions in some ways.

I am so very grateful to know there will be new and improved changes to Alcocare. Sue will be a wonderful manager...she is a strong sober woman! I have to say that during my stay I found that at that time changes needed to be made. The division of men & women will be a crucial & positive development. Alcocare did save me & I am grateful that although the organization at the time needed big changes, it saved my life. I'm very pleased to know its coming back to life.

Ms. or Mr. happythoughts I addressed and corrected some of the inaccuracies in the article printed for public consumption. I have no resentments left and wish the best for Alcocares future, however I don't regret what I posted. It seems you have a personal stake in this and I would like to bring something to your attention, I admitted, acknowledge my part and accept what I did was wrong and I signed my name. What you wrote is very reminiscent of prior dealings with Alcocare board. I sincerely hope you are not part of the board because Alcocare deserves better and so do the still suffering alcoholics and addicts who will be served. While it is easy to give advice it becomes increasingly difficult to follow our own advice that was so freely given to so many on the pretense that we would actually live it.
Guy Onwiler

I think it is very admirable that Guy is so willing to take accountability for his actions. It is heartbreaking that agencies, boards, and administrators in the helping profession stoop to the level of attacking individuals with the appearance that they are correcting their internal issues. Unfortunately it happens, from the small to the large. It is unfortunate that so often it has to end with one party being entirely blamed. Again, praise to Guy for owning his part in it, that's what anyone in the field would impress on their clients. Letting go of resentments and forgiveness is also important. I trust that with time the wounds to both parties will heal. I wish Guy Onwiler and Alcocare each the best in the future. Rock county definitely needs the services that Alcocare offers and it seems Guy would be an asset to another agency.

This article may save someones life by helping our community be aware of what help is available, which is awesome!! Now that is what should have been the focus of these comments…

It is very sad that negative people and/or resentful ex-staff had to be the first ones to flock to this article in order to get their last word in...this situation is about the potential of this facility to help THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER FROM ALCOHOL AND ADDICTION!!

It doesn't take a recovering addict to know that life isn't always fair when we choose to "be kept in the dark" of our own part in a situation. Saying "i take responsibility" then bashing others is something to take up with your HP, not the comment section of the city newspaper...
Everything happens for a reason, and its for a bigger purpose than we think it is. It isn't just about YOU, ME, or hurting feelings of others who also had a big part in changing peoples lives when previously employed at Alcocare.
I pray that resentments are lifted and that awareness of new opportunities is brought to EVERYONE involved in this situation. Let go and move on 

@BornINjtown- what “reeks of what is becoming America” is your ignorance and false sense of authority. Seriously, YOU just posted the 12 traditions to attack a good cause, in which is totally irrelevant to the situation…..I am sure Bill and Bob are rolling in their graves due to your genuine sincerity to the program.

Ignorance must be bliss! Left in dark? I've never heard a a board of directors make up such a lame excuse! Sounds more like some employees got thrown under the bus with the boards left hand so no one looked at their right! I wonder what plan of correction was givin to the board members that claim they couldn't find a light!

After reading this article I also read the comments... And to my surprise were ALL flagged or suggested for removal! Hmm? No profanity... No harrasement... No spam... Where is all the juices that would justify suggesting them all for removal??? It couldn't be anything other than a person who may have not agreed or didn't want to "hear" the things said. How very very sad. I will check back after class when I post my thoughts on this article and hope to see that these comments have not been removed. Understandable if they were deleted automatically by the computer and not actually read over by human eyes. FORTUNATELY it is stated that staff reviews any flagged items before removal. Although human judgement also comes with human biases I am sure that none of these will be removed... I have read them all and do not contain anything that would constitute removal...

wow really you removed my commit what happen to freedom of speech you people at gazette are doing the same thing as the people at Alcocare.well let see if this makes it. i respect the old director and the old employees for helping me to get where i am today they did it because they cared not for money or a profit they did it to keep me from taking my own life which i tried to do five times before i was sent there i wish them luck in opening so many other houses but what makes them think they can keep them open if they can't keep the one they have now open??????????

This article reeks of what is becoming america. We fix what isn't broken and we don't fix what is. Treatment centers should be ran as non-profit organizations. More people should be able to get treatment. Without some office worker and a board determining their fate. All walks of life suffer from addiction and it is a sensitive issue that should be kept out of the media. Shame on you gazette for going in this direction. Shame on the people who are trying to profit off people suffering. This is a real fatal illness that can kill. Hundreds of thousands die a year. And your paper wants to blast individuals who made mistakes and lessen their accomplishments because they are human. SHAME SHAME! I can't say I always seen eye to eye with the director, yet I knew he cared for me. This is an issue and topic not for the media. All this shows me is that alcocare is out for profit. Guess what you can't help people and be greedy at the same time. I pray for your future patients.
a former client of alcocare

The Twelve Traditions

One—Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.

Two—For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
Three—The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Four—Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Six—An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Seven—Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Eight—Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
Nine—A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Ten—Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Eleven—Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Twelve—Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

From reading this article, it seems there are negative assumptions made that bend the facts. To imply that someone is overpaid simply because you can't prove otherwise is simply bad reporting. Same goes for "no criminal charges filed". The implication as written is that the staff probably did a whole lot more than can be proven, which is an unfounded supposition at best.

As the former director of Alcocare, inc. I would like to wish Alcocare the best in all its future endeavors. A need in the community does exist, however its ability to support it is questionable and only time will tell. I have some concerns about this article that I will address. It is a shame that in order to build a good reputation we need to diminish others good work and reputation. The "damn good job" you are claiming to do is based on those who came before you, both the prior administration and Alcohab. The current board of directors were the same board prior to the problems noted in this article. They were not kept in the dark and only took action when strongly prompted by the director.It was their lack of participation/action that kept them in the dark. To their credit, after the investigation the board took a very pro active role that began to right the course of Alcocare. The ethical violations did in fact occur and I was responsible, though not immoral they were an ethical violation that I have learned from and corrected. The board was aware of the ethical violations as they were informed by me. The county was informed by an agency they contract with and a hearing was held. The story I was given is that Rock Co. would not contract with Alcocare if I continued to work there (rock co. will not confirm this), take it for what its worth but as a result I was terminated. Now depending on who you believe it was at the county request or Sue Schumachers decision to terminate my employment. Either way is of little importance,their plan for the future has some tried and true formulas and some that carry more risk and again I hope they are successful but their success does not depend on the prior administration looking incompetent, sneaky or untrustworthy or at fault for the current problems. The prior administration worked hard and successfully to earn the community support and increase awareness while establishing a bridge from treatment to recovery than had been done before or since. We were very effective and successful in assisting people to overcome their addiction. We established a strong alumni group and and a supportive family group that provided support and education. My fear is that my personal reputation in this county has been damaged by the current board of Alcocare and Rock County in an effort to bolster their reputation and dismiss their own early mismanagement. I admit my wrong doings and shortcomings, I have learned from these and I want a fair chance to work and to compete in this county. I support what Alcocare board has done and believe they are on track to accomplish their goals and am supportive of them, however there is no need to make the prior administration of Alcohab look bad in the process, it should be enough to stand on the quality of what they have done. I am not the enemy, I am an allie for treatment
Guy Onwiler