What is your sober/clean date?
 August 15, 2009

What are you recovering from?
I was what one would consider to a “Garbage Head”. However, what finally bought me to my bottom was crack cocaine.

What made you decide to come to SSCR for inpatient treatment?
My last time out was an extremely life altering experience. I was hundreds of miles from what I used to call home on a 3 or 4 day binge. I was robbed of everything by gun point by some crack dealers and left for broke. While I was crying and packing my duffle bag not having a clue what I was going to do. By God’s grace there was a hundred dollar bill in the very bottom of the bag.

I was tired, beaten down, and scared to death!!!! I made my way back to Jacksonville, Fl .When I arrived the door locks to my home had been changed. It was pouring rain. I was on the front porch crying. I made one last ditch effort to call my wife. When she answered I did not get a very warm welcome instead what I did get was “I can’t help you anymore”. She informed me that my insurance card was still active and that I needed to handle it. I called the number on the back of the card and admitted myself to Stepping Stones.

Did you make the decision on your own, or did your family, work, courts, church help you with the decision?
Yes, there were other rehabs but this time I made the decision.

What did you learn about yourself and your disease while you were at SSCR?
The most important thing that I learned was that I was the problem. I learned that my inability to cope with my fears and insecurities caused me to hide from [my emotions]. I used drugs. I also came to realize [in treatment] that I could not do this [recovery work] all by myself. I learned that by sharing my feelings, instead of stuffing them, I could be released of the bondage of self.

While in treatment you were introduced to the idea of changing people, places and things. What changes have you had to make on your journey of recovery?
Well, let’s see have I changes have I had to make? Only …..EVERYTHING!!!! One of the first changes I made was to be honest, no matter what. Being responsible for my actions under all circumstances was another extremely important change I had to make –it was very difficult. Changing people was a major change. Most of my family members are users of all sorts [of drugs and alcohol] and I have had to have limit contact with them to the phone. The only people in my social network today are in recovery.

How do you maintain your sobriety today?
Upon awakening, even before getting out of bed I do the First, Second, and Third Steps. I read the daily meditations for the day. I pray for guidance for His will not mine. I stay in contact with my God, my sponsor, my sponsees, and other people in my network. I chair at least two meetings a week and I attend as many meetings as I can. I take meetings to county jails and State Prisons. I try and practice the 12 Step principles in all my affairs, which isn’t always easy. That’s why we are told spiritual progress, not perfection.

What would you say to help someone make the decision to go to in-patient treatment?
If you or someone thinks that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol and you have tried to quit on your own to no avail and these methods have not worked, perhaps [you need to ] take some time at an inpatient [treatment program]. If nothing else occurs you get your head a little clearer and that might be just what is needed. Maybe after a few weeks your mind and spirit may be ready, willing, and able to proceed down the “Happy, Joyous, and Free” road to recovery.

Give an example of a situation you have done differently since maintaining your recovery.
I have done many things differently. I would have to say the one thing that sticks out for me [is the way I handle something] when there is a person or thing that is not going the way that I think it should go. And, let me be the first to tell you there are many times when this occurs. Now, I am able to step back and say perhaps there is a reason why this is working out this way and I need to be okay with it, whether I like it or not.

For example, my ex wife, who is now raising my oldest son, and I do not see eye to eye on many situations regarding my son’s behavior and consequences for those behaviors. The old me would have manipulated or tried to control what or how she handling things. Today, I am able to apply the tools of my recovery to the situation and offer my thoughts and feelings about how I would handle things yet allow her to make her own decision. And, then be totally supportive to her decision.

Overall how would you describe your experience of inpatient treatment?  How did it help you to transition into the real world as a sober productive adult free from alcohol and drugs?  Would you recommend inpatient treatment to someone?
The best way to describe my inpatient treatment experience plainly is this…..THEY SAVED MY LIFE!!!
The staff gave me the tools and the confidence to live life on life’s terms without have to use to cope. I truly was blessed to have had some of the finest counselors to get to the root of Gary’s problem. The family counseling saved my marriage. The counselors showed me how to get through all of the difficult times and life’s trials and tribulations without needing to use drugs or alcohol.

I would strongly recommend inpatient treatment to anyone who can honestly admit to him or herself that there is a problem with drugs or alcohol. The key to seeking inpatient treatment for me was I had to want it for me and me only.

Rewards and Challenges for a Substance Abuse Counselor and his Patients

Glenn Wheeler, MS

 “It seemed to be an aspect of my DNA that “the work” of the therapist and patient was never about outcomes, per se, for God has a wonderful way of surprising us with HIS results.”

Very early in life, I knew I would pursue a career in the helping professions. My dad was a chemist, but as far as I was concerned, he influenced me more through his work as a civil rights activist. He carried me with him throughout the South during the turbulent years of the civil rights movement. He often reminded me that the challenging life we led was preparation for my own development, no matter which direction my career might take me. He laughed as I grew into adolescence, for I had become a “religious” young man, enthused by the re-emergence of the Social Gospel in my own time. Dad was NOT a religious man; but was, in fact, one of those spiritual giants peculiar to that era. I pursued a career as a chaplain, then as a mental health therapist – always carrying the fervor for being part of personal and social habilitation.

Working to help others begins with working on oneself. The challenge I have before me each day – whether I’m digging a ditch or counseling addicts – has everything to do with nurturing authenticity, first in myself, and then with my patients. I do not despair over empirical outcomes. Instead, I delight in the awakening I see every day as I walk with my patients through the wilderness of spiritual renewal.

By Joanna Painton-Hathaway

As the journey of 2012 begins, reflecting on how we have grown in recovery is helpful. Taking the time to reflect back on the ways we have changed, how our responses and reactions to things throughout the past year have been altered is helpful. When we recognize our growth demonstrated by overcoming our bad habits, we acknowledge and reinforce the new positive patterns of healthy living.

Through the 12 Step programs, we deepen our ability to learn, to be flexible, and to accept ourselves --imperfect as we are. The ultimate outcome is not guaranteed, but as long as we remain clean and sober we increase the possibilities of fulfilling our potential. As a result of seeking treatment and maintaining our sobriety, we create a quality, respectful life, beyond our wildest dreams.

I wish you all a year filled with light, love, and infinite possibilities -- one day at a time!

We are looking to expand our alumni services by offering support groups nationwide. We are looking for alumni that are interested in becoming a support group leader. The support group leader meets with other alumni once a month. He or she is responsible for chairing the meeting. This is a great opportunity to give back and help you in your own recovery. Having a meeting of alumni may be the one thing that will keep someone going if he or she is struggling in recovery.

If you are interested in becoming a support group leader, you must have at least a year clean and sober, attend meetings regularly, and work a 12-step program.

If you are committed to helping other alumni and yourself as a support group leader, please contact Joanna Painton-Hathaway at 1-800-833-9057, or e-mail her at jpainton@steppingstonecfr.com.

We are in the process of building a buddy program and need alumni to help. This program is designed to connect newly discharged patients with recovering alumni. The buddy system will help those just out of treatment stay focused while they build their local support group. If you are interested in becoming a buddy volunteer, you must have at least a year clean and sober, be attending meetings, and working the 12-step program. If you are interested, please contact Joanna Painton-Hathaway at 1-800-833-9057, or e-mail her at jpainton@steppingstonecfr.com.

Your participation will help you and others stay clean and sober. “You have to give it away to keep it.”