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Drug Rehab Success - Emily's Story
I didn't know where my life was headed, and I didn't care. I was
doing as many cocktails of different drugs as I could. I was 18 and
had been using drugs for four years. It started by using only on the
weekends, using with friends at parties, wherever. It quickly
escalated to using methamphetamines along with other drugs daily and
before I knew it I was shooting up as much as a could whenever I
could. The whole time I was doing it, I thought I was alone.
You would think that after getting arrested for possession at the
age of 16 that maybe I would turn my life around. Needless to say
that didn't happen. I continued using more and more. I threw away
any hope and help from my family. All I cared about was using the
drugs that made me feel like I had some worth. I thought I was only
affecting myself, but my friends and family were on the downward
spiral as well.
Before I knew it the people who surrounded me were dying or going
to jail. In my head that was all part of the game. You had to stay
one step ahead or you would fall 6 ft behind. I watched my boyfriend
and good friend of 5 years overdose, and that showed me there was no
hope.
I was making runs all over the state, to get my drugs that would
fix all my problems and it was always one shot or one pill away. I
never found what I was looking for. I also never found out what I
was hiding from. What I did find was myself sitting in a jail cell.
I sat there for almost a month and I realized that I was sick of
losing everything. I had NO idea who I was, and I didn't know
anywhere that could make me feel comfortable being me. I had gone to
a 3 ½ month rehab before and it had done nothing. So I was not
looking forward to going to another one…I expected the same results.
When I walked through the doors, it was a fresh, friendly, active
atmosphere that I never would have ever expected. The first thing I
heard was that I was NOT addicted or a slave to any drug. I found
that I was able to sit in a room with people and feel as though I
didn't need anything to make me comfortable. The entire experience
showed me new ways to look at life. I found that every time I got
high was because I wanted to. No one made me and I had no excuse of
depression. The sauna got all of the toxins out of my body and the
life skills got me well rounded. They prepared me for what I was
going to deal with when I left. They helped me disconnect from the
people who I had been hanging around with. They were not going to
let me leave and fail. They gave me every single tool I needed to
succeed.
Today I stand at over nine months sober. I have no urge to
use. I know that those drugs are out there and I know they are not
going anywhere fast. Most importantly I know that I DON'T need or
want to use them. Not because I fall a victim to them, but because
for the first time in my life I feel as though I can be happy
without them.
I love life now, and I wake up every single day and am happy I am
alive. I have lost a lot and been through even more. If ten months
ago someone would have told me one day I would be successful, happy,
and drug free. I would have laughed at them. Now I know that all
along I had it in me to do just that. I am not alone anymore.
Thank You to all the wonderful counselors. Today I stand strong
with so many positive influences that surround me and I never
expected to be this happy with out having to use drugs or alcohol.
Emily - Program Graduate
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