I am embarrassed to say that I fell hook, line and sinker for this scam and it has cost me more than $12,000 not to mention the stress and anxiety I have gone through over this experience.
In 2006 I realized I needed help to quit drinking and I came across this web site promising the "Best Technology to End Alcohol Abuse Permanently "Enjoy A Few Drinks" — Without Cravings" by taking a regiment of amino acids, supplements and submitting a daily diary and log etc. At the time it seemed like a good option and worth a try versus checking myself into a rehab center so after a few reassurring emails from Dr. Doug answering my questions I signed up, ordered all of the pills and supplements and started the program.
Approximately 3 months into the program I was diagnosed with cancer and was given a 30% chance of survival after 2 years if immediately begin a chemotherapy and radiation treatment plan followed by surgery. Before I started the chemo treatments I was told to stop taking all vitamins and supplements as they could interfere with the chemo so I contacted ACF by email and explained that I needed to stop the program and why I needed to stop and to please discontinue billing my credit card their monthly fee. I will also note that up to this point there had been no noticeable change in my desire to drink alcohol as a result of the ACF program.
As soon as I notified ACF that I was going to discontinue the program they immediately charged my credit card account approximately $12,000. Dr. Doug then sent me an email saying that I had a contract with them because I agreed to the terms and conditions on their web site and the $12,000 was for payment in full for the contract. I tried to explain that had cancer and I was told by my oncologist that I had to stop taking the supplements in his program.
Dr. Doug could not have cared less and it was obvious that he does not care about helping people with anything other than separating his clients from their money. This is the same man that told me he developed this program because he to had a drinking problem for many tears and wanted to help other people like himself. I did go back to the ACF web site and eventually found the terms of this so called contract that I had committed to but it was obvious that a great deal of planning went into the design of this web site to make this information difficult to find.
I immediately contacted my credit card company that I had used for more than 20 years and disputed the charge.initially they gave me a credit pending an investigation but after several months of going back and forth they eventually sided with the ACF because they claim that I willingly gave them my credit card information and entered into a contract with them. Off the record they admitted they felt what took place was wrong but claimed that there was nothing more they could do and I would have to take the matter up directly with ACF. I think they sided with ACF because they had already paid their merchant the money and Dr. Doug threatened them to the point the credit card company felt it was easier and less painful to screw me over then fight Dr. Doug. Regardless, I lost a lot of money and learned some valuable lessons about doing business over the internet the hard way.
During the time I was going through all of this I was also going through daily chemo and radiation treatments and I was just too sick and mentally and physically exhausted to fight them so I paid the credit card company and cut up that credit card. Now almost two years and two surgeries later I am cancer free and getting stronger day by day. Now I no longer drink alcohol or have the desire to without the help of Dr. Doug's scam. I have regrets and I am ashamed that I was naive enough to fall victim to this con game but I hope my story will help others that are considering ACF but at the time I felt I needed help and I was willing vulnerable enough to try anything. The sad part is that this man and his scam is playing off people like me looking for help and taking advantage of them and their vulnerability.
I would more than welcome anyone with advice or legal assistance to help me get my money back but more important than anything is to expose this organization for what it is which is a complete scam!
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