Our Credentials

Inpatient License from Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs	Outpatient License from Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs	Board of Supervisors Proclamation
Proclamation from the Mayor of Capitola	Proclamation from the City of Marina	Board of Supervisors Proclamation
Proclamation from the Mayor of Watsonville	Salinas City Council Certificate of Appreciation	Proclamation from the Mayor of Santa Cruz
	Certificate of Distinguished Achievements

Introduction

by Megan Shields, MD

For nearly 20 years, I have been associated with the Vista Bay drug rehab program. I’d like to tell you why I feel it is the more important and effective drug rehab program available.

As a medical doctor practicing in a family medical clinic, I have seen the increase in patients who unwittingly fall into the drug abuse trap. “Experimentation" or "Recreation" quickly becomes compulsion and addiction.

Unlike many of my contemporaries, I have never believed in using drugs and medications to solve the problems created by drugs and medication. There is a place for medication, but it is defined and limited. From the day I began my practice it was I wanted a place where I could refer patients for help – either for themselves or for a family member or friend.

It was evident to me that the long-term physical, mental and emotional consequences of drug use had something to do with the residual effects of the drugs themselves. Customary medical procedures held no solution to this problem. I had seen various "treatments" which did not impress me at all. These included:

• The psychiatric approach of getting the person to believe the problem he was experiencing from toxins was all in his mind;
• The “fight drugs with drugs” approach to suppress the symptoms exhibited.

These "treatments" only served to compound the problem.

It wasn’t until I discovered the Sauna Detoxification Program at Vista Bay that I knew we had a dynamic, working solution to a terrible problem.

The depression, hopelessness and fear I saw in so many patients completely disappeared upon completion of the program. My patients were both physically and mentally changed. They no longer felt that they were a slave to the chemicals that had trapped them.

They reported a marked increase in mental clarity. Their lives were happier, healthier, and more productive.

In a world where you simply don’t hear much good news regarding alcohol and drug abuse, I am happy to say that the Vista Bay program is very good news. I will continue to recommend it to anyone who suffers from drug and alcohol problems.

Respectfully, Megan Shields, MD

Dr. Shields graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. She is a frequent presenter at conferences on Substance Abuse and Public Health as well as being the author of many scientific papers on the role of detoxification.

Please visit our Scientific Research page for more.