Praxis former patient and employee tell all

MISHAWAKA, Ind - According to Praxis, they've stopped accepting new patients, but many former patients have been speaking out about their experience at the facility. 

Even one went as far to say that he came out worse than he went in. Also a former worker here who's been working in healthcare for five years says has never seen anything like it.  

“Drugs are rampant in there and it’s a really dangerous place for me who suffers with addiction,” said Connor Spachtholz, a former patient at Praxis. 

Praxis opened its doors back in August of last year and St. Joseph County police say they have responded to two-hundred and seventeen emergency calls to the facility in just one-hundred and ninety-two days this year. 

Seven involved drug overdoses, at least two deadly and three were related to sex crimes, including rape, and another was for a stabbing.  

One former patient, Connor Spachtholz, a recovering drug addict who was only there for about a week says he has been having trouble sleeping due to what he says was a traumatic experience at this facility.    

‘The staff were not good with getting you medication that you were already prescribed, they were not good with getting you medication on time, it was just very poorly ran,” said Spachtholz.  

St. Joseph County Police have now sent a letter to state regulators asking for Praxis to be shut down, calling it vastly understaffed, under secured and dangerous.  

Stacey Duchac-Siciliano, a former patient engagement specialist at Praxis, who worked there from October of 2022 till January of this year has never seen a place run this poorly.    

“It was very chaotic, it was not a peaceful serene environment to get their treatment and be successful with their journey of sobriety,” said Duchac- Siciliano 

Not only that, but Duchac- Siciliano echoed the same concern as the St. Joseph County Police, that the facility was vastly understaffed.   

“They were waiting for us to help them with things, and they would be waiting for things, and they would be waiting for hours because there were so many of them and very few of us,” said Duchac- Siciliano.  

Landmark recovery released a statement saying, “We value transparency and will keep you updated as we investigate. Our focus remains on our patients' safety, well-being, and privacy. We're aware of various claims and rumors circulating in the media. We'll address them fully and accurately in due time. We thank you for your understanding and support.”  

We’ll keep you updated as more people come forward with their experiences at this facility.