Have you ever experienced rehab Phoebe? An inpatient or
outpatient program? Do you know of anyone near you or maybe
in your family with substance abuse and got treatment for it?
I was reminded I had an uncle of mine who battled with alcoholism
and had got sober and remained so a many a yrs before I did. That
to me was comforting to know, because I could and would call upon
him for help, suggestion, support and guidance about recovery.
I did experience a 28 day rehab stay 30 yrs ago in which I completed
along with a 6 week aftercare program before I was on my own.
When i entered back in 1990, i had no idea about rehab or recovery.
I would have to be taught everything beginning with learning how
to get all those toxins out of my system, clear my head of the fog
I was in to begin healing an accepting new information about my
alcohol addiction and its affects on me as well as those around me,
like family and friends.
This process with staying for 28 days worked for me in helping
me remain sober with 30 yrs of continuous sobriety. It allowed me
to be taught a program of recovery to use as a guideline I could
and would incorporate in all areas of my life to achieve health,
happiness and honesty.
All of us here has a different story to share about how we
have and are achieving sobriety and it will soon become
your own story down the road on how you achieve it yourself.
I shared my way with you because it worked for me. I was
30 yrs old with a little family, about 8 yrs married with 2 little
one around 3 and 6 and a stay at home mom when family
stepped in with an intervention to get me into rehab.
Did I want to go willingly, no. However, with a court order
I had no choice but to surrender and go like a whipped
puppy with it's tail between it's legs. It felt like complete
defeat sitting in the back of a police car, like a common
criminal and yet, i wouldnt hurt a flea.
With so much anger inside me for what my family did
for me, i used it to my advantage and complied with the
system and did what was asked of me to get out at 28
day plus aftercare.
From there an ultimatum was placed on me by my
husband that if i ever drank in the house again then
my azz would be out. At that moment and out of diffiance
I turned it around and used what was taught to me
about recovery and did everything possible to achieve
sobriety to throw it back into their faces.
Eventually, as I continued to learn how to let go of the anger,
resentments and settled in with a good rhythm of recovery
by attending meetings because there were no computers
back then, building a foundation I could live my life upon
free from my addiction, I found forgiveness and a gift.
Yes, there were ups and downs, changes and yet I never
let go of my lifelines and support to help me get through.
I'm older now, sober still, life changes and I'm stronger
and healthier in heart, mind and soul and yes my journey
is still going along as I continue to monitor my foundation
making sure if there are any leaks or crack needing attention
then I can take care of them so it wont come crumbling down
around me.
If you decide to go into rehab, it would be like going to
school. You would have a place to stay, food and classes
as they teach you about addiction and recovery so that
when you return home, you will have a foundation and a
guideline to help you build that foundation to live upon.
Not everyone goes that route in learning how to achieve
continuous sobriety, but for me, it worked because I worked
the program and I wanted to be sober and eventually
all the wonderful gifts I have achieved would and did
follow to get me where I am today.
See, i heard this story from others before me who got
and stayed sober and that was what I so badly wanted
and it was up to me with help and support to go get it.
I had to do the foot work with an open mind, willingness,
honesty and faith to achieve the ultimate gift of sobriety.
A freedom to experience like no other.
