I went through Larry Simmering Recovery Center in the winter of 2008. I checked into detox very strung out. After a few days in detox, I knew that when I got some food in my belly and got a little rest I was going to want to leave. I begged the staff not to let me. Looking back now, I see that I probably checked into LSRC to get out of trouble with the law. I was rolled over into the 28 day treatment and completed it. barely. While I was at treatment, something inside of me clicked and I went from wanting to get out of trouble, to wanting to live sober. After I got out of rehab, I went to court showed them my little certificate from rehab, and they sent me to prison anyways. I was devastated. Though I had taken my 3rd step I could never have fathomed what GOD had in store for me. I was in prison for 14 months and I can tell you that is a hard life to live, and not an easy place to stay clean. Since we commenced, I have been in contact with my roommate from rehab. I am now off parole. I live my life sober!! Coming up in just a couple of weeks, I will have been sober 3 years. Treatment really stunk, but it also saved my life. I can’t tell you how this story ends, because I am still living it, but I always appreciate your taking time to listen to us and the genuine empathy and sensitivity of the staff. Oh yeah, my roommate is still sober too!! Feel free to share this letter with the rest of the staff. and maybe the current clients.. By SURRENDERING I gained the power over choice and today I choose to LIVE SOBER. The middle ground in recovery is quicksand!! I hope to come down there to get my chip, but it’s hard for me to get off work. SOULDOUT4HIM!
[In March]...2004 I came to L.S.R.C.. At that time I was an addict of 17 years (meth, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol). The last 7 were intravenous usage. The last year I attempted suicide on 3 occasions and was hospitalized. I remember walking in the doors and wondering should I turn around and walk out like all the times before. I stood in the doorway bawling my eyes out, trying to make sure nobody seen, watching my wife walk away. I didn't know at that time what kept me here. Today I know it was the strength of my higher power doing for me what I was unable to accomplish alone. I had spent allot of time the last years of my usage putting up a false exterior of toughness, but inside I knew I was weak, I was broken. I tried every way possible to fix my problem without letting everyone else know I had a problem (as if they didn't know). The more I tried the more I failed, destroying everything and everyone I cared about in the path. I remember trying to carry that façade into treatment with me. That tough exterior lasted all of about a couple days. The staff saw right through me. They first taught me it was ok to be broken. Broken things can be re-built. They taught me to start loving myself. I found this very hard in the beginning. So they loved me till I was able. They taught me to honest with myself. which was so hard, the lies seemed more real to me than reality itself. The Staff taught me to live again. When for so many years I had walked around spiritually and mentally dead. I have been working in the recovery field for almost 7 years now. Almost 5 have been with L.S.R.C., where I am the deter manager. My blessing today is to be a part of that initial introduction to a new way of life, that other had so thanklessly done for me. I know if the staff at Larry Simmering hadn't taken the time to see worth in me and help me along the way, chances are I would have stayed hopeless for a much longer time (if I didn't die).
In September of 2004, I went in to Sigma House. This was my first and only treatment. I did not know what to expect, but they made me feel welcome. They could tell I was scared. I had never heard anything about recovery before so I did not think there was any hope for me.
After about a week of trying to resist what I was learning I decided to give it a try my whole way of thinking began to change. I got on this pink cloud about life. For the first time in a long time I saw hope.
The next three weeks were great. I was thirsty for recovery. The Sigma House staff gave me the tools I needed to get clean and then gave me the resources to stay clean when I got out. When I left Sigma House I was on this pink cloud I was never going to use again.
When I got out I was going to meeting doing what I was supposed to do and stayed clean for ninety days. I could not stay away from my old friend and I got high. The difference this time was the seed was planted from Sigma House staff and the meetings of NA. So I did not have to stay out in my addiction I knew I had a place to go to get help.
Since I came back to the recovery program I have not had to use. I have been clean for five years and my life is better than I ever thought possible.
My thanks to Sigma House for planting the seed and showing me a place where I cloud go to get recovery and change my life.
On August 30th, I crawled into Sigma House Detox. I was there for three days detoxing off meth. I knew that I needed residential treatment and begged for it. I was informed that I needed an ID to get in. So, I only had $20 so I walked three miles to get my ID and walked three miles back. They staff was surprised and happy that I came back. When I did, I started my life clean and sober from everything—drugs, abusive men, and being miserable! Sigma House gave me the tools to love myself. They also loved me before I could love myself!
Fall, 2010
I had no hope, faith, or love at one time. I entered Sigma House broken. In the 28 days I was there, I learned that my addiction is a disease of the brain. I then made a decision that I no longer want to just exist. I began to understand that the choice of recovery is mine and I am responsible for my recovery. I soon began my new journey and so many things have changed from within. I now have a home, a job, and serenity. I only have these things thanks to Sigma House and its Staff. Thank you Sigma House for caring!
Fall, 2010