I arrived in southern California nearly 2 yrs. to the day and it's been a helluva ride! I came from the Detroit area where it's cold and depressing not to mention the temptation to travel into the concrete jungle where one can find himself in hooker heaven and drugs on every corner 24/7

After arriving in So Cal I was quickly taken in by the warm sun, blue skies, palm trees, and beautiful people everywhere I looked! I started out attending an "Early Bird AA Meeting" every day (sometimes two meetings a day), and met several individuals who were either surfers or millionaires spending allot of time on the golf course or out at Catalina Island on their yachts. None the less they all shared the same dream that was soon to become a reality for me. As the months passed on--and quick they did--I went through several different jobs.

During my recovery I developed an urge, almost a need to help others get through the same experiences as I have, letting them know that if I could get through this and welcome sobriety, then so could anyone. I went to school knowing I needed to help people and that's what I wanted to do with my life. Before I knew it I was studying to be a drug and alcohol counselor. Today I am happily and successfully employed as a counselor, helping other people when they entered treatment.

Encouraging recovering addicts through detox and then aiding in the education on how to continue sobriety is the work I enjoy. This fall I'll be attending weekend classes to earn my certificate through the state of Michigan, allowing me to be a counselor. I have been happier than I ever thought I could be sober!

 

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This is our story,

Six years into a hard core drug problem the light finally shined on my life. All it took was a one phone call to Surf City USA's Connor Ranch Rehabilitation facility.

It started in 2000 with a severe addiction to prescription narcotics and then led to a bad drinking problem that almost landed me in jail. With the advice of my attorney he told me to get into an inpatient rehab as soon as I could. I have been the type of person that has been avoiding rehab for years and thought I could beat it on my own.

In reality we all know that is far from the truth. I am the type of person that can't and will not be put in a hospital type setting. My only option that would give me the resourses to do this was Connor Ranch. Here, I can lay by the pool and attend groups; while my own personal chef prepares Lobster Tails and steak.

Across the pool is a workout station and everything else you need to take your mind off drugs including cool people with the same problems you have. It seemed more like a vacation, but I still got the necessary treatment to satisfy my addiction problems. The people here changed my life for the better and have given me an opportunity to start over.

I attend A. A. and N. A. meetings and didn't like it at first until I went to the Newport Club and found some extremely good looking girls as well, so I didn't go crazy. But aside from that I am learning new coping skills and not to worry about the distractions that life can normally bring. I mean would you rather be at a lock down facility, drooling from meds, or surfing and attending group on the beach?

This place has changed my life and giving me a whole new world of friends, hope, and most of all my family back. I could have got this at another place but not like this, and not with the type of atmosphere that surrounded me. Thank God for Connor Ranch because its rehab with a twist and my thanks for my new lifelong friend Lisa.

 

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This is my friend Lisa's story:

My name is Lisa, I found Connor Ranch on People Helping Alcoholics. I tried rehab after rehab and nothing worked for me. I went to other centers where I felt like I was completely shut out from the world. They were locked down facilities and everyone there was medicated. Nobody really wanted to be there and it made getting sober really discouraging.

Connor Ranch let me interact with the outside world; let me attend family get-togethers, and outside functions. I didn't feel forgotten; I learned new skills that helped me get thru life. I had some court problems, and from my 3 month stay at Connor Ranch my judge dropped all the charges and arrest files.

I found healthy ways to have fun with life; I still go surfing with the people at the rehab. We also go fishing, and to AA conventions. It was there I met my new circle of friends. I now attend college and work a steady job. The Staff at Connor Ranch helped me get my license, and search for a used vehicle. If I would have gone to another lock down facility my life would not be the same.

I most likely would follow the same road I have always been familiar with, and now my life is different, better. I know with the skills I have learned and people I have met I'll never be alone or helpless again.

 

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Having relapsed several times over the past I0 years, I can honestly say the phenomenon of relapse still baffles me.

What I do know is what I have seen & heard. The value of attending meetings & staying close to the fellowship becomes even more apparent when we have a member who has had some years of sobriety come back identifying again as a newcomer.

What happened? From my own experience and listening to other members who have also relapsed, the common denominator seems to be complacency.

I myself stopped going to meetings, I didn't get a sponsor or stopped calling her, I cut back on reading my Big Book, I lost touch with the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and most of all I stopped prayer & contact with God.

This is the same story I hear again & again from other members who have also relapsed.

In other words we took charge of our lives one more time and thought we could do life without the program and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. We lost our conscious contact with our Higher Power. We forget that the Big Book tells us we have a daily reprieve contingent on our Spiritual Maintenance. We forgot that our disease is cunning, baffling & powerful.

So the odds are if I continue to seek God on a daily basis, continue to be of service to my fellow Alcoholics, work the Steps & Program, attend meetings regularly, get a Sponsor & take direction, I will stay sober one day at a time. For the last 3 years 4mo & 11 days I have been sober only because I remember complacency does not work for me.

It is my experience that the phenomenon of relapse occurs long before we take that first drink.

Julie D

 

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Connor Ranch's Treatment Center is Professional and worth every cent. There is yoga, organized meetings, bike riding, reflexology, etc. Choosing Connor Ranch Rehab Center when you're serious about recovery is a wise decision.

Anonymous

 

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Sober Companion - Amy

My name is Amy, I'm 19, and I just completed 3 month drug rehabilitation and a 3 month out patient program at Seashore. I never thought that I would be sober, let alone enjoy it. Seashore taught me not only how to have fun sober but learn to react to situations without being irrational. It helped me reestablish a relationship with my family that I destroyed. My family has never been so proud of me, I have gained a new group of friends who are sober and genuinely care about me and my future. My self esteem and self confidence have both been drastically improved. Seashore helped me notice what I was doing when I was messing up and taught me new ways to cope.

Now my life has never been better. I feel a real happiness when I wake up. I never would have thought life could be so great. I learned how to surf, which was something I always wanted to do but never did. We went to the beach weekly, and fishing all the time. They taught me how to eat healthy and exercise. Thanks to the staff at seashore drug rehabilitation and detox center, I have a new life. .where I can succeed and avoid situations that use to bring me to my bottom.

I would recommend this center to anyone, it low cost compared to any other places. The staff there is great and they interact with the clients. If you like the sound of this call and check it out.

(714) 658 1152

You can also check out the website, which is also very helpful.

www.seashoredrugrehab.com

Amy
Stories from Seashore Rehab

 

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