Client Success Stories
Alex was strung out by age 23. Years of pain pills, cocaine, crack, alcohol and hallucinogens masked her mundane existence. After all of the lies and useless promises – she told herself it would be different the next time (and the time after that) The bruises would fade away as did the memories of where they came from with the next pill. Finally, exhausted and wasted she fell. Her terrified daughter found her near death in the laundry room… Alex mumbled “I need help” Alex remembered something she saw in treatment a lifetime ago… “Here There Is Hope” She could hear someone saying “I challenge you to believe in yourself” 4 ½ months later, Alex was smiling again. Fresh and strong she played at a park with her daughter. The staff at Gratitude House helped her to breath again and renewed her faith. Today she’s trusted enough to go on pass with her beautiful little girl (who’s happy to see life in her mommy’s eyes again!) Today Alex finds happiness in things she used to ignore in her former mundane existence. She’s learning to forgive herself and love herself as an independent woman in sobriety. She no longer participates in self pity and destructive behaviors. Alex has learned how to set and maintain boundaries and enjoys healthy friendships with women in recovery. “Gratitude House has shown me how to respect myself and others. Today my dreams are coming true”. Demographics – women
ages 18-65 of all races and social economic levels seek treatment
at Gratitude House |
Janets Story
I had always felt so lost, alone, unloved and not good enough. I developed the idea of entitlement – the world owed me. I can do and take what I want. I became a nurse because I heard student nurses partied the most. My self abuse and self hatred escalated and consumed my every moment. I moved from Toronto, Canada to Miami in 1992 to work in an AIDS unit. I also survived Hurricane Andrew.Soon I began to use all types of narcotics in the hospital, when I was working and drank when I wasn’t working. This went on for years. I would try to stop myself by going to visit my family, detoxing myself every week and vow not to use again, vacations, relationships, new cars, buying a house, working more and working less. The more I tried to fix myself – the further I would spiral down.
My problems were my secrets. I couldn’t bring myself to ask for help in fear of what others would think of me. I looked good on the outside but I was dying on the inside. On February 21, 2002, I left work at 11pm in a blackout. I drove out of the parking lot and into a van with a family in it. I don’t remember the police being there or my totally wrecked car being towed away. Thank God no one was injured.
The next morning I came to and had a feeling that something very bad had happened, especially when I didn’t see my car in the driveway. A co-worker called and told me what had happened. She said she came out and told the police that I must have fallen asleep at the wheel after working a double shift.
I didn’t want to live anymore, I was thinking of ways to kill myself. The only other option I had was to cry out, “God please help me. I cant’ go on like this anymore!” The next thing I did was pick up the phone and ask for help. I was given the number to Gratitude House and called right away. I knew that I needed help immediately and for long-term.
A New Life
Less than 3 weeks later, I entered Gratitude House. For the first time in my life I became completely honest with myself and others. The nurse told me I didn’t have to feel ashamed in a kind, caring way. I slowly began to put my trust in Gratitude House and slowly began to feel better.I was taught healthy structure and discipline, things I didn’t know anything about. I came out of my life-long prison of isolation and began to feel a part of. All of my secrets were revealed and I was accepted and no longer felt alone.
Gratitude House showed me how to live a balanced life and to take care of myself physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
On February 22, I celebrated 5 years of recovery. I love myself today, attend meetings regularly, trust a few other women and God, and always try to do the next right thing, even if I don’t want to do it. These are principles I learned at Gratitude House to live a successful, happy, healthy, whole life and hope for a wonderful future. Gratitude House’s rehabilitation program positively changed my life both personally and professionally.