In December 2010 I arrived at Haynes Rehab Clinic for professional help with my addiction to Alcohol and Drugs (cocaine). I could no longer live the life I was living, I needed help!
I was running away from my inner self and my emotions by trying to be someone else with the use of Alcohol and Cocaine. My personality had changed from being a liked person to someone who didn’t care if he was liked or not. My behaviour had got way out of hand. This affected my friendships and most of all affected my relationship with my loved ones, my family etc.
Could No Longer Cope
I could no longer cope with waking up in the morning with all the shame and guilt from my actions. Never mind the consequences – all due to my drink and drug taking. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Was so used to running away from the consequences of my behaviour it was time to face the truth and get better!
I arrived at The Haynes Clinic not knowing what to expect. I was very upset and nervous about the next 4 weeks. Was welcomed in by the counselling team and introduced to the people I was going to spend my time in treatment with. I was surprised to see people in my own age in group, who had the same problems as me. This was a great help knowing I had a lot of support from people who were in the same boat as me. The first day I was told to write a life story in my own time and present to the group within a week. I found this harder than I thought having to write about upsetting times in my life plus I was nervous about sharing my story with people I had just met.
Rehab – Group Therapy
During group time in my first week I focused on getting to know my peers and listened to group therapy. I listened to other people’s life stories and problems which I related to a lot. I was introduced to the twelve step programme which I was totally clueless about – as the counsellors expected. It was a lot to take in at first about how it works but gradually I seemed to get a better understanding the further into treatment I went.
After reading my life story to the group it felt like there had been a big weight lifted off my shoulders. I was a soldier who had served in Afghanistan on the frontline in Helmand Province and the support I was given was amazing.
NA/CA/AA Meetings
The treatment centre also arranges for you to go to AA and NA meetings around 5 times a week. This is to get you used to going to the meetings. To encourage you to attend the meetings on a regular basis when you leave treatment. I found the meetings a little strange at first because it was all new to me but I started to get a lot out of them. Met a lot of people on the outside who had been in treatment and their life had got so much better. This gave me a lot of hope and faith that the programme would work.
I learnt that through your time in treatment the more open you are to how you are feeling. The more honest you are about your problems in life the more you will benefit. The counsellors at the Haynes Clinic had a very good understanding of the position I was in. They themselves have all been through the same in the past and are all recovering alcoholics or addicts.
Negative Behaviour Patterns
I learnt in treatment all about my character defects and assets. Also about negative behaviour patterns I repeated more than once. My behaviour had been perceived as being insane. Through doing the steps I found new positive ways of dealing with life without the use of alcohol and drugs which at the start of rehab I thought would have been impossible for me. Now life is so much better, I feel like a new person. My relationship with my family is better than it’s ever been and I appreciate life more than ever!
Rehab – Best Decision I Ever Made
One of the best bits of rehab for me was being able to go to the gym which also has a swimming pool. I was so used to getting exercise while I served in the army so this helped a lot. Able to go shopping at the weekends to buy what ever it was I needed magazines, cigarettes etc.
I now work at the clinic helping people in treatment. I really enjoy doing this work because I’m learning new things everyday which helps my recovery. Today for me is so much different to what it used to be like. I’m so grateful for all the support I was given from Haynes Clinic. Going into treatment was probably the best decision I’ve ever made! Today my life is good and that’s something I thought I would never say again!
Call the Haynes Clinic on 01462 851414
