I came through The Healing Place back in 2015 and for those that don't know but there used to be 'the old detox' and 'the old building'. From living on the streets either in a tent, underneath an awning or inside a cardboard recycle dumpster when I landed in detox it might have been roughly 6 months or so since I slept on anything other then a mattress. After about 7 days of hell coming off of alcohol the staff would check my blood pressure 3 times a day, morning, afternoon and around midnight. Always tough being woke up to get my blood pressure at midnight but grateful I was able to walk to the fridge and make something to eat then go back to sleep. After day 7 I went into their long-term program. 6-9 months did sound like a lot of time, but it was either me try this program or go out those doors and go where? back to the underpass or back to tent city and wonder where my next food or water will come from? so I was willing. No family around, just me. First 2 weeks I couldn't leave property, which was a good thing because where the hell was I going to go alone? After those 2 weeks me along with about 40 or so other guys would 'trudge' so Saint Cats to attend AA steps 1-3 class taught by the very same guys that were once in my position. Returned in time for 3pm class, after class we return to our living area (4 man bunkbeds per living area). We get released for dinner, which is much better then eating whatever Thorton's tossed out in their dumpster. and get ready for a 6:30pm then later a 8:00pm AA/NA/CA/HA meeting. Then go to sleep. Did that for about 2 months, then progressed into their 'phase' program, which instead of trudging we had a 10:00 class on property, and at this time I was assigned to work in the kitchen. Had no idea what I was doing but luckily I wasn't alone and had 5 or so guys help me and luckily someone was able to direct me on what to do. In phase you were to attend off-property meetings, and me along with the other phase guys would all walk to meetings around town, and did not have to return until 10:30pm. Later was given other jobs as work as security where we monitor the hallway, or go find other residents that the peer-mentors might need. About 9.5 months later (after receiving a 3 week contract in community) I was finally given a 12-step gown and about a week later I was working as a peer-mentor, teaching the same class I remember sitting in on when I first started trudging. By the grace of god and The Healing Place program I will be picking up 6 years coming up. So Thank you for everything you do, and just know that there were some low times while I was here, but I learned real quick who the ones that were serious about recovery and associated myself with them and not the ones whom thought this was a joke.
I encourage everyone to get a sponsor early on, Me personally I don't recommend 'happy hour' sponsors, they are good but most of the men have 30+ sponcees. So find one that would have more time to work in the book with you.
God Bless-
Alex
