death of IOP member
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 104
death of IOP member
Hello all,
I have been working with an IOP program for the past month and there were only 4 people in the group. Coincidentally, 3 women named Jessica. 1 of the Jessicas came the day I wasn't there and then every time I went (3x per week), the counselor said she would be coming the next session. On Monday when I went, there was only 1 other person. I asked the counselor if the other 2 Jessicas were coming. Her response was that 1 Jessica was excused and the other Jessica had passed away over the weekend.
Even though I hadn't met her yet, I was very sad for her and her family. Obviously she had been trying to get help and just didn't make it. I am not sure what her DOC was but that is not relevant. When people are no longer in group and haven't graduated, it is stated that they needed a higher level of care. This is just another example of how this disease takes a grip on us. I know that she was under the age of 30.
Food for thought and to be humble.
gigi
I have been working with an IOP program for the past month and there were only 4 people in the group. Coincidentally, 3 women named Jessica. 1 of the Jessicas came the day I wasn't there and then every time I went (3x per week), the counselor said she would be coming the next session. On Monday when I went, there was only 1 other person. I asked the counselor if the other 2 Jessicas were coming. Her response was that 1 Jessica was excused and the other Jessica had passed away over the weekend.
Even though I hadn't met her yet, I was very sad for her and her family. Obviously she had been trying to get help and just didn't make it. I am not sure what her DOC was but that is not relevant. When people are no longer in group and haven't graduated, it is stated that they needed a higher level of care. This is just another example of how this disease takes a grip on us. I know that she was under the age of 30.
Food for thought and to be humble.
gigi
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,238
Many are not aware of how serious
addiction is to alcohol or drug. It
continues to take so many lives
because of how strong, cunning
and baffling they are.
While in rehab 23yrs ago after family
did an intervention on me, getting me
help I desperately needed at that time
in my life, I was to be let go of 2 weeks
into my in stay rehab AA program due
to insurance problems. They told me,
if I went home that soon I would surely
drink again and that was enough to beg
to allow me to stay no matter what.
By agreement from family members I
was able to remain where I was and
completed a 28 day program and upon
dismissal I had to continue on with my
recovery by going to a 6 week out patient
aftercare program.
I was about 30 yrs old, had 2 little children
and was about 8 yrs married. At that point
in my life, newly sober, I wanted to prove to
all those who said I wouldn't stay sober, that
I could and would using the tools and knowledge
taught to me those first crucial months in AA.
I listened, I absorbed, I applied, I followed
suggestions, and clung on to dear life one
day at a time while building a strong
foundation in recovery to live upon.
Like I shared, that was 23 yrs. ago, August
11, 1990. Today with a many one days at
a time added together to get me where I am
today, happier and honest in all my affairs
and helping others still struggling with addiction
by sharing my own experiences, strengths
and hopes of what my life was and is like
before, during and after alcohol.
I can't save the world from addiction, but I
can help by sharing my own ESH with those
struggling. In doing so, it helps me remain
sober, today.
Same for you too.
addiction is to alcohol or drug. It
continues to take so many lives
because of how strong, cunning
and baffling they are.
While in rehab 23yrs ago after family
did an intervention on me, getting me
help I desperately needed at that time
in my life, I was to be let go of 2 weeks
into my in stay rehab AA program due
to insurance problems. They told me,
if I went home that soon I would surely
drink again and that was enough to beg
to allow me to stay no matter what.
By agreement from family members I
was able to remain where I was and
completed a 28 day program and upon
dismissal I had to continue on with my
recovery by going to a 6 week out patient
aftercare program.
I was about 30 yrs old, had 2 little children
and was about 8 yrs married. At that point
in my life, newly sober, I wanted to prove to
all those who said I wouldn't stay sober, that
I could and would using the tools and knowledge
taught to me those first crucial months in AA.
I listened, I absorbed, I applied, I followed
suggestions, and clung on to dear life one
day at a time while building a strong
foundation in recovery to live upon.
Like I shared, that was 23 yrs. ago, August
11, 1990. Today with a many one days at
a time added together to get me where I am
today, happier and honest in all my affairs
and helping others still struggling with addiction
by sharing my own experiences, strengths
and hopes of what my life was and is like
before, during and after alcohol.
I can't save the world from addiction, but I
can help by sharing my own ESH with those
struggling. In doing so, it helps me remain
sober, today.
Same for you too.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Yes, quite humbling and jolting. I completed a 20 day IOP so I'm remembering the people I met in my class right now. Very sorry to hear of her passing. And very sorry for her family. That is a tragedy. I lost my mother to this disease. I take it very seriously these days.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,229
sadly people under estimate how bad this addiction can be. I never realized how serious my problem was till i quit. and any really bad story i had heard I just figured that person must have been on something else too or just was getting a bit too carried away with booze. Little did i realize i was no different.
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
I went to a sort of treatment in about 1978 where a group of 10 of us had counselling together over period of about 10 weeks. We kept in touch afterwards. Two went to AA and recovered immediately. 8 of us went back drinking. Two years later, I went to AA and recovered. None of the others did and they were all dead by that time.
7 out of 10 didn't make it which is very sad, but on the other hand, 30% of us recovered and that is a very good rate for a recovery centre.
Of those that did not go to AA, none recovered while of those that did, 100% recovered.
I gues you can draw hope that if you attend a good IOP and follow it up with AA, you have a very good chance of recovering.
7 out of 10 didn't make it which is very sad, but on the other hand, 30% of us recovered and that is a very good rate for a recovery centre.
Of those that did not go to AA, none recovered while of those that did, 100% recovered.
I gues you can draw hope that if you attend a good IOP and follow it up with AA, you have a very good chance of recovering.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 104
I know the statistics are rough. I could be one of them if I don't make my effort. If there is support, hospital, rehab, etc. it can be so hard. Any of the people in our group could have been there. Judgment in our society is a big issue to the effectiveness to recovery. People can recover with a lot of effort.
I ended my stay today and I have had 6 months sobriety but it still makes me sad.
I ended my stay today and I have had 6 months sobriety but it still makes me sad.
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