Went to residential treatment
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,635
Went to residential treatment
Hi all!
Well, I finally had enough of drinking a fifth of vodka a day in a hotel and went to the Kaiser emergency room.
The stars aligned and there was a detox/residential center in the hospital and I got a bed in detox.
They were about to release me after just two days and I BEGGED to be in the residential program. (new territory for me) It is nothing short of a miracle and a blessing that a bed for residential was open. Most people have to leave detox and go on a waiting list. (dumb)
I followed EVERY rule, engulfed myself in everything they had to offer.
I had a customized treatment plan with my therapist which included self esteem, mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, meditation, acupuncture, relapse prevention, meetings, and reading a book called A Place Called Self.
Tons of homework, process groups, individual therapy, etc.
And.... I GRADUATED!!! First time I have completed something in as along as I can remember.
I am doing intensive outpatient therapy- 4 times a week- also customized: mindfullness, a women's group, relapse prevention, and a dual diagnosis group. I have TWO therapists. One that manages my aftercare and one for mental health.
I finally reached the point of desperation and this time I am doing this for ME, and only ME.
It feels wonderful to be sober. I can drive around and check Portland out instead of being holed up inside, drunk and miserable.
I am staying with my brother and his gf on their couch for now, extremely grateful I and my cat and dog have a place to stay.
Nervous about finding my own place, as it is very expensive here. I am trying to stay in the moment though, and not worry about what I can't control, while doing what I can with what is in my control.
Oh, and I got my first tattoo. My divorce tattoo. It is a sun with a moon snuggling up to it and a band of stars around my ankle.
Well, I finally had enough of drinking a fifth of vodka a day in a hotel and went to the Kaiser emergency room.
The stars aligned and there was a detox/residential center in the hospital and I got a bed in detox.
They were about to release me after just two days and I BEGGED to be in the residential program. (new territory for me) It is nothing short of a miracle and a blessing that a bed for residential was open. Most people have to leave detox and go on a waiting list. (dumb)
I followed EVERY rule, engulfed myself in everything they had to offer.
I had a customized treatment plan with my therapist which included self esteem, mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, meditation, acupuncture, relapse prevention, meetings, and reading a book called A Place Called Self.
Tons of homework, process groups, individual therapy, etc.
And.... I GRADUATED!!! First time I have completed something in as along as I can remember.
I am doing intensive outpatient therapy- 4 times a week- also customized: mindfullness, a women's group, relapse prevention, and a dual diagnosis group. I have TWO therapists. One that manages my aftercare and one for mental health.
I finally reached the point of desperation and this time I am doing this for ME, and only ME.
It feels wonderful to be sober. I can drive around and check Portland out instead of being holed up inside, drunk and miserable.
I am staying with my brother and his gf on their couch for now, extremely grateful I and my cat and dog have a place to stay.
Nervous about finding my own place, as it is very expensive here. I am trying to stay in the moment though, and not worry about what I can't control, while doing what I can with what is in my control.
Oh, and I got my first tattoo. My divorce tattoo. It is a sun with a moon snuggling up to it and a band of stars around my ankle.
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Congratulations Elizabeth, this is awesome news!!! It looks like you are ready to move forward
I hope you will join us at the 24 hours recovery connections where we commit not to drink or drug for the next 24 hours.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-9-a.html
My BFF lives near Portland and it is a beautiful City with a lot to do, yes the rents are a bit expensive but look at it this way: you guys don't have sales taxes.
I hope you will join us at the 24 hours recovery connections where we commit not to drink or drug for the next 24 hours.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-9-a.html
My BFF lives near Portland and it is a beautiful City with a lot to do, yes the rents are a bit expensive but look at it this way: you guys don't have sales taxes.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,229
And that's how to get inand begin a new life in recovery.
Go to any lengths is exactly what
you did and look at the results.
I like you also begged to stay right
where I was in rehab and they allowed
it so I wouldn't be sent to a halfway
house out of town away from my
family. Spending 28 days in rehab
receiving the tools and knowledge of
my recovery set me on a path in life
worth living happy, joyous and free.
Love the TATTOO you got too..!!!!
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,055
It's great to have you back! I think working out a living situation is all about networking, and I hope your women's group is helpful. I found my job at an AA meeting...
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 596
Originally Posted by Elisabeth888 
I never told y'all this, but I was planning on smoking weed and just not drinking.
The therapists sold me on TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
The therapists sold me on TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
Sobriety is total abstinence in my opinion with zero compromise, there is no other way. Former drunks and addicts who now recreationally use another substance (even if they demonstrate control) are not living in sobriety in my opinion.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 11,410
Wonderful post and what a great start for your future
You and your animal family can begin a new life in Portland that's all about living fully
and not surviving in addiction.
I wish you Happy and more Happy Elizabeth
You and your animal family can begin a new life in Portland that's all about living fully
and not surviving in addiction.
I wish you Happy and more Happy Elizabeth
getting there
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,314
Congrats on being sober! It sounds like the stars are aligning for you and you are doing all of the right things.
I live in Portland too... would you mind PMing me the name of the place where you got your tattoo? I am thinking about getting my first one too - paw prints of my two cats who have died in the past two years.
Good luck to you!
I live in Portland too... would you mind PMing me the name of the place where you got your tattoo? I am thinking about getting my first one too - paw prints of my two cats who have died in the past two years.
Good luck to you!
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