by A Women in Sobriety | Jun 28, 2017 | Addiction Articles, Addiction Treatment, Blog
South Florida Drug Rehab saved my life.
This is not fake news. I was 20 years old and in the grip of a deadly opiate and alcohol addiction. I had tried to get sober in my hometown while still in college, attending an intensive outpatient program to try to stay sober and please the people around me. The problem? It did not work.
I would go to school and see all the students on campus drinking beer and guess what I would do? Drink with them. I would go to work and the strangest thing would happen there too. My co-worker would sell me pills. Shucks! Not today sobriety!
At the age of 20, I could not muster up the internal motivational and self-will to stay sober through one single day of school without drinking alcohol on campus, or one single day without buying opiates and using drugs at work. I was in a tough pickle.
People, Places, and Things
How does someone stay sober in his or her hometown without going to another location for rehab? I had attempted to do an intensive outpatient program, but since I had no accountability, I stopped after the first few sessions, plus I could never pass those stupid drug tests, which always made the drug addiction seem so real and undeniable. I was stuck in a vicious cycle. Every night I would go to bed and promise I would stop using tomorrow. Tomorrow would come and I would not be able to stop using, because I did not feel good and I could not overcome my mental obsession once I hit the school campus or my work parking lot.
In my hometown, I was surrounded by people who enabled me. I wanted every single day more than anything to just stop using drugs and alcohol.
One day I decided to call and make an appointment to see my private therapist and admit I was ready to get back into intensive outpatient programming. After a 30-minute session, he looked at me and stared for what seemed like forever. “Take this card” he said to me, as he leaned forward in his old leather chair.
I was told that day if I wanted a real shot at saving my life, I had to take some time to accomplish that for myself, which for me meant leaving the place I was creating the destruction. The card he handed me was for a Drug Rehab in South Florida and had a phone number on it. I left his office and sat in my car alone crying and smoking a cigarette before having the courage to pick up the phone and dial the number.
A Leap of Faith
A gentleman answered and spoke to me for a while. I told him what was going on in my life and that it was suggested to me that my best chance of success was to go to this program. He told me everything would be okay and we formed a plan together on how leaving school, my home, my life, my entire world would work for the next month and just encouraged me to not forget how long it took me to get to this moment on this call.
He was right. I was 20 years old. I was heavily addicted to prescription pills, heroin and alcohol for the last several years and this was my first real attempt at seeking help.
A few days later my parents dropped me off at the Drug Rehab in South Florida, and yes stereotypes are true it was near the beach. When my parents went to leave I told them I changed my mind and went to follow them to the car, which they sped out of the parking lot. I was now officially stuck in South Florida seeking Treatment for my drug and alcohol addiction. First week was a fog I was detoxing pretty hard.
The next few weeks in treatment I did some great work and learned a lot. There was a huge problem though. I was going to go right back to my house in college with my roommates who drink and party every night, to the same job, the same college campus, the same life. I worked so hard the last few weeks to get away from that in South Florida and now I was scared too go backwards.
Changing My Life Forever
I made an executive decision that changed my life forever. I decided to stay and go to a sober home in South Florida that the treatment center recommended. They charged me rent and no, my insurance did not make it free. I got out of drug rehab and started going to 12 step meetings and realized that young people actually got sober, something I did not know happened.
I was 20 years old in rehab for opiate addiction and the closest woman my age was 35. My first day out of treatment I went to an AA meeting at night that had over 75 young people in it.
I learned how to have sober fun. I learned how to be responsible. I learned how to be a productive member of society and how to show up for my family.
I made a lot of friends in recovery over the years as a result of South Florida and the recovery community. I also have had to bury more people than I can even remember. 8 years later I am still sober, and have only been to drug rehab once.
Grateful for South Florida Recovery
I am 28 years old today and sometimes I log into Facebook and I have to pause in remembrance at all of the people I once knew who have died as a result of drug and alcohol addiction who did not get it.
The South Florida Recovery Community saved my life in a profound way and hundreds of close friends of mine. Yes, I have hundreds of friends in recovery I have met over the years in the area who have done amazing things.
Some people move back home after they complete drug rehab and some after a few months. Not every story is just like mine and unfortunately not all stories have happy endings. However, addiction is a treatable disease. The family has the ability to intervene. The addict has the ability to not go to a facility they know does not have their best interest in mind.
I will always be grateful for what I learned growing up in Delray Beach, Florida and the impact the community had on my life. I wish other providers; parents, media, and communities understood these types of untold stories, which do not make for juicy headlines.
Success from addiction is possible and that South Florida saved my life.
by A Women in Sobriety | Jun 13, 2017 | Addiction Articles, Addiction Treatment, Sobriety For Women
Someone is Missing 100k and Caroline Biden Supposedly Took It
Rumor has it Caroline Biden pled guilty to grand larceny for stealing over $100,000.00 from an unnamed victim in credit card fraud. There are many questions about this case that remain unclear to the public. Concerns such as how Bigelow Pharmacy in New York, where the alleged crime was committed, allowed over a year of charges to go on a credit card that was under another person’s name or how such high charges could be racked up unnoticed.
A Simple Billing Process Might be to Blame
Upon reaching out to the pharmacy itself to ask how the billing process worked, a pharmacy technician of the store advised how simple the process was. “We take the credit number and put it into the computer. Whenever there is a purchase within the store we bill it to the credit card on file.” When asked if there needs to be any sort of document filled out or authorization for a credit card to be on file for the company to process charges on the card, the employee of the store stated, “no, we just need the credit card number only and we process it.” When asked if there was a receipt emailed to the owner of the credit card or any confirmation of purchases, the store advised there was nothing in place for that. For an organization who claims on it’s website that it has been in existence since 1838, there seems to be a high level of risk associated in their level of consumer responsibility in terms of their current billing processes.
Biden Didn’t Mean To Do It
Biden’s attorney could not be reached for comment on the particulars of this case, however it has been reported that Biden’s intent was never to defraud her un-named victim and that the charges were put on the credit card on file by mistake.
Additional speculation has circulated regarding the victim of the case, and many are left scratching their heads and wondering how someone could not have noticed so many transactions being processed without their consent for a calendar year.
Also, most credit card companies have time restrictions in which they will honor credit card disputes. Considering how long this “scheme” was going on, it seems that the un-named friend of Biden might have been hard pressed to receive any of her money back from her credit card company due to being outside the scope of timing filings.
The money was reportedly paid right after the plea deal, which poses the question if this scam was in fact done with intent, and financial resources were readily available, why do it? Biden allegedly even used the card on file to pay for medicine prescribed by a physician at the pharmacy. This does not seem like a well thought out scam.
There is More to The Story than Reported
The facts of this #LockBidenUp story seem to be a little more grey than most of the news outlets are portraying. Caroline Biden made news headlines originally in 2013, when she was arrested on charges stemming from drug and alcohol addiction. She was ordered to complete an inpatient drug treatment program and 90 day sober living program, which she completed successfully sources confirm. Biden has stayed out of the public eye since her arrest and has also remained clean and sober. She has remained sober since completing probation sources confirm.
It has been proven in no court document that she has ever attempted to use her “Uncle Joe” as a “get out of jail free card” instead it is clear she took full responsibility for her actions by confirming she,” should have paid more attention to her finances and caught these mistakes sooner.” Many things were against Biden walking into the courtroom, including her prior arrests. A public knowledge of drug addiction mixed with a juicy headline might have been the source of this judgment call by the Biden attorney and the extremely light consequence. However, is it fair? This is just one example of how long do we allow the past to dictate someone’s future?
The Impact of Addiction
Everyday more articles are written, stories are broadcast and families are left broken from the impact of addiction. We want to spread hope as a society that recovery is possible and that there is a better life, yet we jump to conclusions based on someone’s prior drug arrest or criminal record.
Maybe this is a different case because they have a “famous” last name or some other excuse we tell other selves to justify the judgments that we casts on others, but is it really?
It is the same reason the convicted felon released from jail most likely will not find gainful employment due to his prior convictions.
These thoughts do not negate the fact that something wrong was done here, however intent could not be defined, due to the prior judgments already cast upon a person based upon actions that occurred while they were intoxicated. The system is not broken due to “connections to Uncle Joe” the system is broken because of us.
by A Women in Sobriety | Jun 12, 2017 | Addiction Articles, Addiction Treatment, Blog
Truly Helping a Drug Addict or Alcoholic
Helping, truly helping, a drug addict or an alcoholic is one of the hardest things in life to do. Any parent, spouse or friend of someone in active addiction can confirm that watching a person you deeply care about gamble with their life is emotionally, spiritually and physically challenging. The fact is that most of the time we, the people who love our addicts more than they love themselves, seem to have gone out of the way to help the individual struggling on several occasions and have been filled with a renewed sense of hope. This hope was soon crushed as the behaviors of our loved ones continued to remain the same and the eventual relapse soon arrived on the horizon. After numerous attempts of this repeated cycle many are left wondering what are the best ways to help an addict get clean and sober?
1. Understand Addiction
It is best to understand what addiction is and that your loved one is struggling with a problem much stronger than something they can overcome on their own. Quite often friends and family members are hurt or angry with a drug addict or alcoholic that they love when they are unable to stay clean and sober. You should understand that a relapse has nothing to do with them not caring enough about you or that drugs and alcohol is more important to them than you are. Once you have a better understanding of what addiction is you will be much more effective in helping a drug addict or an alcoholic become willing to get help, and hopefully commit to going to a drug addiction treatment center.
2. Talk to the Addict
Being a close friend or family member of an addict you should not hide the fact that you know the addict is using drugs again. Often loved ones are uneasy about how to approach an addict who is on drugs and if they should confront them on their illicit drug use. Due to the deaths rates in the United States and the number of daily over doses due to heroin and other illicit drugs not speaking to your loved one regarding their drug use is one of the worst things you can do. Speaking to them in a calm and genuine manner about how you feel and that you want to support them getting better is the best way to help an addict feel not attacked during these discussions. Drug addicts already have a lot of guilt, shame and denial about their drug use and may use these talks as an opportunity to get defensive so it is important as the person of influence to stay on target in the discussion. The goal is to not let anger cloud your judgment and to speak with love and empathy. You can advise him or her that you will do anything you can to help them get well, but you will not support negative behaviors which lead to more use. Some common examples of negative behaviors are: giving an active drug user money, providing a place to stay, hiding things from your spouse, going against your boundaries, etc.
3. Get Support for Yourself
One of the best ways to help an addict is to also get healthier yourself. There are numerous support groups for spouses, children of alcoholics and family members of addicts all over the country that provide a network of support to help deal with the pain and obstacles that addiction brings on. When speaking to your loved one about supporting them getting well, you are really asking them to get help for their drug addiction. An addict will most likely be unable to get clean and sober without some form of outside help from agencies such as medical professionals, a drug addiction treatment center or a support group of their own.
The best way to help an addict is to do everything you can to regain control of the situation and to not delay. Addiction is progressive and will only get worse over time. The drugs being consumed today are much stronger than they were in the decades before, and the drug users are getting addicted much younger and much faster. Do everything you can to seek professional help from a drug addiction treatment center or qualified professional to get the help your loved one needs.
by Sally Rosa | Feb 2, 2017 | Addiction Articles, Addiction Treatment, Blog
Alcohol Issues Plagued The life Of A Talented Dancer
At age 13 Meaghan got a job at the local diner because she wanted money to go to the movies. Her brothers and sisters all older than her just asked their parents for money, but not Meaghan. She would pedal her bike down to the upstate NY diner everyday after school and she loved it. At age 16 Meaghan’s dance life really took off. Many including the local press at the time called her the best dancer in the tri-state area. Meaghan appeared on the Today, danced at Disney and was headed to the Julliard School. Then, one night rehearsal she went out to the bars with her friends for the first time. Life for Meaghan never included a social aspect, it was the diner and dance, day after day, so the very minute that shot of whisky hit her mouth Meaghan’s alcohol issues began.
From The “Today Show” To Alcohol Detox Program
Meaghan’s drinking became an everyday affair. She would go to the bar next to the Dance studio every night after rehearsal. Sidelines on Grand Ave. had always been there. She just never noticed it ‘til now. That on establishment would supply Meaghan with enough alcohol to destroy everything she had been work for since the age of 13. Her alcohol issues became more frequent and severe. Her practice sessions grew shorter and shorter in length. She lost so much weight she was put on dietary supplements. The whole town was pulling for her as they all prepared for Julliard audition. Noticing it all slipping away Meaghan took her alcohol issues in to her own hands and decided to stop drinking cold turkey and focus on the biggest audition of her life. The Alcohol had other plans. She woke up in an alcohol detox program at noon on Monday November 11th.
Alcohol Issues Were Not Meaghan’s Only Issues
Meaghan went into cardiac arrest at Lourdes Medical Center in Binghamton NY. The withdrawal symptoms from her alcohol issues shut down her body. The doctors at the alcohol detox program were shocked at how quickly her body had deteriorated. Once recognized as one of the most physically fit women in the state, Meaghan was no just a shell of the woman who had appeared on the Today show. Meaghan’ personality had also changed. Once a delightful and humble kind young woman she now screamed at her fellow dancers and took to hate speech on Facebook.
Words from Her Grandma Made Recovery Possible
Late on her final night in her alcohol detox program Meaghan heard the door crack open and saw her Grandmother walk inside. She reached out for Grandmother and felt the shame and guilt spread though her veins. Her Grandma stayed with her most of the night and as she left she told Meaghan to get back up on her feet and passed on a little advice her own mother had given her many years ago before she left Ireland for The United States.
‘If you stumble, make it part of the dance.”
Dancing to “Hallelujah” performed by Jeff Buckley 4 months sober, Meaghan took the pain of her alcohol issues and poured them into her audition. If you’re looking for her, stop by the Julliard School.
by Sally Rosa | Jan 27, 2017 | 12 Steps, Addiction Articles, Addiction Treatment
Help Me Find Recovery from Addiction to The Bachelor
Hi, my name is Sally and I’m addicted to The Bachelor on ABC. I’m writing to you all today hoping to find recovery from addiction to this deadly and morally corrupt reality show. I first started watching The Bachelor on ABC during Kaitlyn’s season. You know, the one where the cute and spunky Canadian was obviously going to choose Shawn Booth no matter what, until serial attention whore Nick Viall (Yup, Pronounced Vile) showed up for his second of what would be 4 appearances on ABC’s hit and soul crushing series.
Many of you Bach heads probably think I’m not that into it since I started watching during Kaitlyn’s season, but don’t worry I went back and caught up because, in this addiction, Netflix is my dealer and provides hours of backlogged roses and tears while I twitch, itch, sweat and wait for the clock to strike 8pm on Monday, so I can find out who deserves to be trampled on by Nick Viall next. This week it was Liz, kind of felt bad for her, because she got sent home simply for having sex with Nick 6 months ago and Nick of all people claimed she was just in it for the attention. I felt bad but then I didn’t because if you choose to actually go on this show, you’re sicker than I am… Maybe.
Drug Use and Watching the Bachelor on ABC are 100% the Same Thing
So here is my problem, beside the only words Nick Vialle know how to say being, “Ok” “Hey” and “Did You Have Fun”. I realized that I needed to find recovery from addiction to The Bachelor because the same patterns I played out in my addiction to heroin were being repeated every time I clicked over to watch stupid ass Chris Harrison say, “Tonight on the most dramatic episode of The Bachelor ever.” Every episode is not the most dramatic Chris Harrison! Now you really want to create the most dramatic moment in Bachelor history, have Nick give the ring to Chris Harrison. Sorry, had to get that out. Here’s the deal, my drug use consumed me. I had to have heroin and at the same time I hated it. It called to me, but every time I shot it in my veins I hated my self. I was angry when it was over, I wanted to die and I swore I would never waste an hour of my life ruining my mind body and soul with heroin or alcohol, but the next day I did it again. This is how I feel when I watch The Bachelor on ABC.
Recovery from Addiction to The Bachelor Will Not Be Easy
I’ve tried to stop before. When it was apparent that JoJo Fletcher was, as expected going to choose Quarterback of the douche squad Jordan Rodgers just because he has a famous brother, I stopped watching. I bothered me each Monday night that I wasn’t by the TV, in fact I started reading in the garage so I wasn’t tempted. Then this season when Nick Vialle was announced as the lead on the show, I knew my recovery from addiction to The Bachelor was over. I relapsed on Bach nation hard. I started a fantasy Bachelor work pool, my boss found the sheets and reprimanded me for-spending company time on this “Horse Shit.”
Watch the Bachelor Was Ruin My Work Life
My drug use effected my work performance and now so did this stupid, addicting and horrible show. I desperately need to receive the gift of recovery from addiction to the Bachelor. The problem is, all my friends watch it and I can’t just leave all my friends? Many of my girls in Jersey say they will punch me if I ever watch the Bachelor again, but it took me 2 minutes to convince them it was ok and next thing I know I am screaming at the TV, “Of course Corinne is going to take her shirt off, that’s all Nick wants anyway!” Monday is right around the corner and I will spend all day at working obsessing about how much I hate Nick and wondering if I will be able to stay away from the TV. At this point, my drug use and this silly show are twins. Wait, remember the twins from Ben’s season? They should be the Co-Bachelorettes! That would be amazing! They would each have to choose another set of twins to marry! Yup, I’m screwed. I’ll be chasing this dragon ‘til I’m 80. The good news is in 50 years; Nick will still be single.
