Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

It’s been quite a change, going from drunk daily in NYC to living sober in small town Indiana. Two months ago I was a complete wreck; feeling hopeless, demoralized, depressed and trapped. I could not have imagined that reaching out for help and admitting powerlessness could have such a liberating effect on my life. I’m not saying everything is suddenly a bed of roses. I’ve got a veritable grab bag of stressors to choose from if I feel like it. It’s the usual stuff that most addicts find themselves saddled with when they get sober. The difference now is, instead of sticking my head in the sand and trying to drink it away, I find that it is possible to take it one day at a time and just do what I can for that day. Because, really, what else can one do?

So I’ll just relate a few good things that have happened. Let’s see… I’ve been meaning to get a driver’s license for about, oh, 18 years. I now have one. Hello!?! I asked someone to be my sponsor and it didn’t even hurt. He just said, “Sure.” I told a joke last night, sober, and people still laughed. Amazing! I actually look forward to going to meetings (I was pretty good at listening to drunk drunks but listening to sober drunks is much easier and much more rewarding). I go to bed pleasantly tired and wake up refreshed. It’s a new experience that I haven’t entirely gotten used to yet. I feel optimistic about the future even though there are some obstacles to be navigated. It’s nice to be able to look people in the eye and not feel like I am always hiding something. I even feel like I am starting to learn how to pray again. A few “test prayers” have been answered and I don’t know any other way to explain that.

So that’s how it’s going in this neck of the woods. I think about the people I met at the beginning of this journey down in Florida and I wonder how ya’ll are doing. Anybody out there? Don’t be shy.

Sobriety is Good,
Ray R

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I went to Lakeview in February I left my house on Valentine’s day. I was a miserable person. Until then every waking moment of my life was consumed with drugs and alcohol. When I got to Lakeview it had been a whole 24 Hours clean. I already had the shakes and I was nervous on top of that. I will never forget being waken up at 5:30 am after my first little sleep in days to go do blood work. I sat in the hall waiting for my turn. There in that hall I swear I met an angel. Another patient who took it upon herself to be my new friend. She introduced me to everyone showed me around and helped me get settled. I only stayed two weeks but those two weeks helped so much. My therapist was awesome and so was the entire staff. Now I am home and I am a much different happy person.

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Lakeview Health Systems and Stepping Stone Center for Recovery to sponsor a Free CEU program entitled, Emerging Challenges in Addictive Disorders: 2006; on Saturday, October 14, 2006.

Lakeview Health Systems and Stepping Stone Center for Recovery specialize in the treatment of chemical dependency, alcoholism and associated disorders. Based in Jacksonville, FL these state of the art addiction treatment centers complete with 24 hour staff that includes nursing, therapists and physicians. The treatment team provides a safe and effective, medically monitored unit for patients in need of detoxification. In addition, these facilities offer a full continuum of clinical services which include residential treatment, partial hospitalization, out patient services and recovery apartments.

This free 4 hour CEU program entitled, Emerging Challenges in Addictive Disorders: 2006, will provide Behavioral Health Care Providers the opportunity to learn first hand from national thought leaders in their field. The goal of the conference is to provide a clearer understanding of several of the most common issues associated with addictive disorders. In light of rapid scientific advances and varied treatment options we feel more and more information is being made available to treatment providers. By attending this conference, attendees will walk away with new insights and learn useful strategies to manage the challenges faced on a daily basis. The scheduled speakers for the program are: Michael J. Ostacher, MD, MPH, Associate Medical Director, Bipolar Clinic and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Alfred Herzog, MD, Clinical Practice General Psychiatry, The Institute for Living/Hartford Hospital, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine and William Jacobs, MD Co-Founder and President of NexStep Integrated Pain Care Associate Professor (Courtesy) Departments of Psychiatry and Anesthesiology University of Florida.

The National Association for Continuing Education has approved the program for up to 4 continuing education hours for licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors and certified addiction professionals.

There is no charge for attending the program, which will be held at Lakeview Health System’s Center for Recovery located at 1900 Corporate Square Boulevard, Jacksonville - FL. Attendees should register in advance. On-Site registration will be accepted provided space is available. The registration form may be faxed to 954-723-0353, or you can register online at http://www.naceonline.com/product247.html. The toll free phone number is 866-266-6223. You can also download a brochure of the event on http://www.recoveryconnection.org/addiction_prevention.

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I would like to thank all the staff at Lakeview. When I came here, I honestly thought my life was over. I thought I didn’t have a chance to recover. I didn’t understand how anything could make people do the things we did for drugs. I thought I was the only one who did things wrong. Now I know I’m not alone. And there’s not a cure, but there is a better way.

The staff and community have given me self-esteem and self respect back. You’ve taught me how to become a responsible adult tyhat people will look up to. I’m learning to live so I can live to learn. I’m learning tools to keep me on the right path, and I believe in myself now. I can look in the mirror and love the person who is looking back. I’ve learned so much because fo all of you. There are no words to express the gratitude in my heart. You have literally given me my life back. Thank yoou so much. I only hope to make all of you proud.

Karen L.

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