It was a pleasure speaking with C during his follow up alumni call. He is doing very well in his recovery.

He told me that he constantly struggled with drugs and alcohol and that the 57 days that he will be celebrating is the most time in 35 years that he has been free from drugs and alcohol. He said that he had attempted to get clean and sober various different times and in different ways (mostly by himself) was was always unsuccessful and was also to prideful to seek help elsewhere.

Then back in June, 2004 he said he was literally "half dead". He had been terribly addicted to vicodin, oxycontin and methadone, and was taking high doses just not to be sick physically. "I never realized how progressive this disease was, and once you are in it, it's so hard to get out of yourself."

He then started to seek help. His brother, who also went through treatment about 12 years ago, and recommended a place called Baywood in Texas. Much to his surprise, when he called they were no longer there. The company or place that was there told him about a facility called The Watershed that was not too far away. He immediately called and was able to get help through us.

Full of fear and feeling very sick, he began his journey. Once here, it was a hard road back. There were moments that he felt so sick that didn't think he could do it and said that he was glad he wasn't alone. He said that while here he learned a lot about humility and also relapse triggers and prevention and recognizing the signs. While in treatment he did say that it took him at least 21 days to "get his head above" and it wasn't all easy.

After treatment C had to go back into a business that he owns and a marriage that was "on the rocks." He said that only because he is clean and sober today do that have a chance to work things out.

I asked, "C, how do you stay clean and sober through all that?" His reply was, "there are days that are very difficult, but I simply do what I was told while in treatment. I go to my meetings, two to three per day, and reach out and am able to stay clean and sober just one more day."

He said that he also realized in treatment that drugs and alcohol were a symptom of his problem and there are underlying things that were made clear to him once he had no drugs and alcohol in his body, and his mind was clearer. He knows that this is also about behaviors and learning how to respond to life situations in a healthy way. He can recognize them now when they come up and address them. He said that he would have never had the ability to do that had it not been for the In-Patient Treatment he received. C expressed his gratitude to The Watershed for "saving his life."

By R.S. about C.H.

Aug. 19, 2004