Success Stories

I didn’t know exactly what would happen. I had never been to rehab before. So much ran through my mind: How does drug rehab work? What will the place look like? Will the people there be like me? How long will I be there? What am I getting into?

The one thing I knew for sure was that I had to get off all the pills I was taking. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to believe it couldn’t be worse than what I was already going through. It took almost 3 weeks before I recovered. The detox part was hard—I didn’t sleep or eat well for a while. And it was also hard just to do basic things, but each day got a little easier.

Everything I went through was worth it, though, and the experience helped me see what’s really valuable: my health and my family and friends. It feels so good to be clean and sober. I couldn’t have gotten here without the help I got.

I Opened My Mind, Listened and Got Better

When I arrived at the center, I was scared. But the security guy I met was pretty cool, even though he went through my bags and confiscated half of my toiletries. As he walked me toward the withdrawal building, I thought, “I have really made a mess of things to end up here.” The first night wasn’t awful. They made me some herb tea, and I fell asleep. But the next few nights were tough. Besides the withdrawal stuff I was going through, I felt angry and tried to think of ways that I could get back home. When one of the nurses asked me “how are you feeling” I said “I hurt all over if you really want to know.” She went and got Jack and he gave me some tough love. He said “I spoke to your wife and your mom. They said this place will work and you’re only coming home when they say you’re ready to get your life back.” I spent almost all night thinking about that. In the morning I was ready to give it a real try. I opened my mind, listened and got better. Everyone was honestly trying to help me. I could see that the other patients were doing well, so maybe the program would work in some way or other. It did.

I Got My True Self and My Emotions in Synch

I felt like I finally grew up at the rehab center. I’m 22, but when I got there I was a scared, angry, lonely little girl. My mind was completely messed up but with the help I got I can honestly say I found a way to be peaceful. I learned that I’m not crazy, but had a disease—alcoholism—that can be dealt with. My emotions had been running my life. Drinking pushed them down and made me think that my inner self was showing through somehow. But all that really showed was someone who was suffering. My true self was stifled as much as my emotions. At the treatment center I got help to put my true self and my emotions in synch. I am truly a different person than the one I had acting as. My sanity is back, and I have a new chance at life.