What did you learn in rehab? It'd really help to read a lot of stories at once to hear what the experience is like. http://alcoholism.about.com/u/sty/pro/rehab_lessons/
I've been to rehab 4 times-- twice at the same place. My relapses do not reflect badly on treatment centers, they demonstrate that those of us who have grave emotional disorders and difficulty being honest have a harder time staying sober. I learned more each time because I was more honest, open-minded, and willing each time.
The first time all I really picked up on was strong evidence that I was indeed a true alcoholic and addict. I stayed sober for 3 days after I got out.
The second time I began to realize the importance of AA meetings, talking about my problems, and developing faith in a Higher Power-- it was like a 3-week AA meeting. I grudgingly went to a halfway house when I got out and stayed for a year. I stayed sober for a total of 2 years.
The third time I got pretty serious. I paid attention to the medical evidence about drug and alcohol damage to the mind and body. I made a serious effort to examine my deeper emotional issues. I actually developed a belief in a Higher Power. I earnestly engaged in group discussions and enjoyed them. I got more honest with myself and others than I ever had before. I began to notice how other clients behaved: some were serious, some were not, some thought they were serious but were not. I learned more about spirituality, patience, tolerance, and acceptance. I realized I needed all the help I could get. I enjoyed the trust exercises. I eagerly went to a halfway house when I got out. I stayed at that house for 2 years and was manager of the house the second year. I stayed sober for a total of 3.5 years.
This last time (hopefully THE LAST TIME) It was part of my 2nd offense DUI sentence: 17 days in jail, then 28 days in rehab. For me, it was a good refresher course. I didn't learn anything new, but what I heard sank in deeper than ever before. I was able to contribute to the group discussions by telling folks all the mistakes I made in the past. I was inspired by the counselors and now I want to be a counselor or work in the A&D treatment field in some capacity. After a year of sobriety I'll probably be able to do it-- I have a BA in Psychology and halfway house experience, and I've attended over 2000 AA meetings.
I really feel different this time around. I have absolutely NO DESIRE to drink. That's a first. I believe that I will die if I drink again.
I have a new outlook on life. I still have anxiety and depression, but I also have hope. I go to meetings daily not because I have to but because I want to. I pray and meditate and talk to my sponsor. I visit this site daily. I don't have to be perfect, as long asI'm making progress.
I went to rehab about 15 months ago. It wasn't a 28 day program, more like a detox facility. I think they called it an acute care center or something. It was scary but I wanted out of the cycle I was in. Had been drinking to oblivion every day for about 5 months and couldn't shake it (no pun intended). They put me on fenobarbitol incase I had a seizure and they checked my blood pressure and heart rate once in the morning, once before dinner and again at 2am while I was in bed. It was a very medically-driven place. We had six meetings per day and that was pretty much it. I was there for 8 days. It was a good experience for me in that I can't really look back and deny that my drinking ever landed me in physical disarray or misery, because non-alcoholics don't check themselves into detox facilities. I only stayed sober for 67 days after I was released, but that had nothing to do with the detox facility. I just wasn't full yet. I've detoxed on my own dozens and dozens of times, and I think there is some value in that- just some more pain for me to consider when considering a drink. That place made it slightly less uncomfortable to detox (vitamins, anti-anxiety meds), but I wasn't fond of sharing a room with a crack addict who snored like hell.
I went to treatment 22 years ago the second time. The first visit to rehab I lasted 5 days and decided I wasn't like those people. Three years later I was on of those people. I haven't used since 1/2/87. Treatment was an educational experience. However, what saved my life was AA.
Des D.
-- Edited by cocoa on Saturday 7th of November 2009 12:40:05 AM
