No Place Like AFR for Me

A Forever Recovery has taught me many things I have learned how to enjoy my sobriety. I’ve realized that sobriety is a lot more fun and enjoyable than being high. I’ve learned to be honest with myself and with others. I’ve learned to trust myself and others. I’ve learned how to accept things that happen in my life . I would lie to myself to make my situation seem not so bad when in reality I was on a brake down. I felt hopeless and lost. I feel like I’ve gotten my life back. I have a true purpose in life. I’ve learned I can be a valuable member of society that I deserve nothing but the best for myself. I’ve learned a lot of other people from all walks of life have been through the same things I’ve been through. I’ve learned how to live again. I sincerely thank the program and everyone at AFR.
Rich F. 11/2010

Shine My Rusty Halo

I won this battle
But have not yet won the war
I will defeat my disease
And vow to never be the man I was before
I am anxious to open a new door
I know now happiness is in store,
I will win the war

I came here to change my ways
When I got here, it was all a haze
I had shot dope for too many days,
F*** shooting dope, it never pays.
I have learned to change my ways

I have too much heart
To let the dope tear me apart
I’ve learned that happiness is in the heart
I can’t buy it, drink it, smoke it, snort it, or shoot it,
Happiness is found in ones inner self.

This disease, addiction, I will carry until I’m dead
A Wiseman told me,
Don’t let it rent space in my head
I have changed for no one but myself
Through sobriety, I will gain so much wealth.

Now I’m alive and the ghost are gone,
I’ve shed all the pain, I’ve been holding on
I realize the pain drugs make
Now I learn from my mistakes
I had before found pleasure in pain
Never again will I stick that vein

It was the pleasure of drugs I yearned,
But pain was the only thing I earned
Through MRT – this has been learned
Written by Mike, A Forever Recovery Graduate

The Story of the Butterfly

It starts out slow,
just crawling.
It creeps along
on branches.
Eating foliage,
forms its cocoon,
it sustains
and remains.
But deep within
there’s work being done.
Tireless work,
and sacrifice;
so much sacrifice!
And then, one day
one life goes
and another breaks through.
And on that day,
that transforming day,
The new life rises
And flies away!
Written by an A Forever Recovery client for graduation and dedicated to the AFR experience. 10/22/10

Now I Have a Better Understanding

I was not aware that my personality and inner self were different. I thought that they were one in the same. Knowing that my inner self has the ability to make the right decisions, and the bad things in my personality have been replaced with positive traits is very important. MRT and self inventory have provided both of these to me. I have learned that the world does not revolve around me, and I am aware of what I have control over and what I don’t. I am aware of the things that could trigger drinking and how to overcome these triggers. I am aware that helping others over come their addictions will benefit my own recovery as well as theirs. I have a better understanding of how to deal with relationships in the future and how to repair damaged ones.
J.T. 10/17/10

Glad I Made this Decision

I have learned a lot about myself after returning to A Forever Recovery after my relapse. The group and MRT program helped me to better understand what I had missed during my initial stay. I can now say that I am glad I made the decision to come back and go through this program because there is not a better program available or a more determined staff to help you. I know now that I have to do this for myself, and that I am responsible for my own goals and my own finale outcome. But this time I am in it for the whole program and I know that with the caring staff and the MRT steps I will make it.
M.T. 10/11/10

I Learned that I Had Value

Before I came to A Forever Recovery, I was a very angry, untrustworthy person. I was lying to my family about how much alcohol was affecting my life. I didn’t feel I needed to attend rehab because I was not drinking everyday and had no physical symptoms. My parents gave me an ultimatum and I agreed to try A Forever Recovery. I did not know what to expect when I walked through the door, and I was very nervous about the whole situation.

I was greeted by a very friendly and professional staff. I was explained what things I would be doing throughout the program and how each specific thing would help me to recover from alcohol. I detoxed from the alcohol and then started in the rehab program with therapy groups and individual therapy sessions. During the MRT I learned about the inner self. I learned that I had value and could still set goals and achieve them. I learned that helping others can help my recovery. I started healing the hurts that my drinking had caused to those closest to me.

I now realize that I have a bright future and can still achieve all the goals I have for my life. I can do them and live happy, joyous, and free from addiction.
A.P. 10/04/10

This Facility has Saved My Life

Since I have been here, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned that there is life after addiction and that you can have a life that can have meaning and purpose without the use of drugs and alcohol. The staff here has been so much help to me and making me realize that I can be anything that I want to be if I just clean up my life from the drugs. This was really hard at the beginning, but, day after day it got better and i could begin to see the picture of a drug free me.

The MRT program that I went through is the best thing that anyone that has a drug problems could ever do if they want to get off the drugs. It saved my life. It made me a whole person again. I do believe that without the staff and the MRT program I would not be where I am today. Life is good again, I know that I have still got a ways to go, but, thanks to the staff and this facility I now know that I can and will make it . Thank you for giving my life back to me, I will be forever grateful to everyone at A Forever Recovery.
A.M. 09/26/10

This Program has Done So Much

I feel that program here, at A Forever Recovery, has changed my life. Before coming to A Forever Recovery, I was lonely, depressed and suicidal thoughts were entering my mind almost daily. Nothing I did made me happy anymore. After doing my blue book it was like a great weight being lifted off my shoulders. Then I went over my book with my case manager Joe, and I was able to let go of my whole past. No longer constantly worrying and rehashing things that happened years ago that I can’t do anything about.

Next I read the first sixteen chapters of the MRT educational book. That gave me such an understanding of why I was feeling the way I was. I could not be truly happy unless my personality mistaken my true inner self. Also the excess baggage I had carried around my whole life constantly and beating myself up daily with it. There is nothing I can do to change what I’ve done, just learn from it an move on.

The twelve steps gave me a deeper understanding of who I was and where I was going. From being honest with everyone all the time to helping others. Making goals and maintaining my sobriety became so much clearer. Reintroducing God back into my life has given me something I have been missing for a long time. The journey I did with Todd helped me dig up further issues that did not come out in the blue book. I’m also looking forward to the Theophostic prayer with Marie, after hearing other clients experience.

I feel that this program has done so much more for me than any other program that I have gone through or explored before coming here. Thank you so much.
K.S. 09/14/10

I Was a Lost Soul

When I got to A Forever Recovery, I was a lost soul and person. Just as soon as I got here I realized all the great people that actually cared. Dealing with other clients and people already in recovery, having multiple years, opened my eyes to knowing it was truly possible to get better. The self inventory was a great way to get thoughts flowing, thinking out things, that may or may not have something to do with my addiction. It helped me put some of my issues on the table that I would never share with other people, especially strangers. By presenting to someone in recovery, I felt like they knew where I was coming from. The chapters and steps in MRT helped me a great deal also. It helped me get my shame and sorrow out there only to build me back up later on in the steps. I feel like a totally different person since arriving at A Forever Recovery. I feel I have the tools to go out there and stay sober and be happy doing it. Every single person that I have dealt with at A Forever Recovery was a God send to me and my recovery.
M.R. 8/26/10M

I Learned A Lot Here

Since being here at A Forever Recovery, I have been able to realize a lot of things about myself. I’ve changed a lot and I’m serious about recovery. I’ve got past a lot of issue’s that I did not even realize were affecting my addiction, but now I realize they were. Through the process of the MRT steps I learned a lot about what I want in life. I have clear cut goals to strive for when I get out of A Forever Recovery. I’m positive and upbeat and I’ve learned how to manage my depression. I’ve discovered triggers and how to overcome them and most of all I’ve realized that I can have fun sober. I look forward to my new life of sobriety and all the positive things that can happen without the use of drugs and alcohol.
Z.E. 8/22/10

I’ve Fallen into Believing Again

I learned a lot while at A Forever Recovery. After a long life of frustration and pain when tears felt like fire and my heart raged with anger. Well, I’m able to say I didn’t go to A Forever Recovery to blame no one, I didn’t want to share the blame for what I had done. Because it was my history, my childhood, and my future that must be sorted out. Sometimes I get into a quest and forget myself and why my life was so lost. When I was able to listen to others and feel there calling for trust. I heard Paul’s past was not any different from mine, because he suffered just as I did. Then I heard Jan, and this was another story that I related too.

Soon I found that just about everyone was just like me in some way. So it became easier for me to settle in and listen to my journey and Kevin fed my soul with food to learn, and even Dr. Dave seems to just be there steady and calm, turns out he’s got a cheerful side. I can’t say a word less than good about this place and its staff. I came here unable to shed tears and look to the future for hope, but now today each and every day is a piece of gold.

I know I’ve fallen into dreams, that I can dream now, I know I fallen into believing again, and I do believe. I never really lived before and now I can live I can believe, I can dream, I can now shed tears and feel. Because now thanks to A Forever Recovery I am free. Now I will close and tell each of you at A Forever Recovery that I love you all. The program works. But its has to come from you…within yourself…reaching for the ability to be free.
Mario 08/19/2010

Clean and Sober with a New Outlook on Life

My husband and I just wanted to say thank you to the A Forever Recovery treatment program, for giving our daughter back to us clean and sober. Three days before entering A Forever Recovery, she was high on Xanax and driving drunk when she ran of the road and into a family’s yard hitting a propane tank beside the house that could have exploded killing her and the family inside the house. By the grace of God no one was injured. She called me at 2:30 am telling me she was in an accident. At this point, I had reached the end of my rope with her. But her Father said he was going to check on her, he had to make sure she was OK.

I began to pray asking God to help her and the officer that was there to take favor on her and see the good that was in my daughter. You see my daughter wanted to be a police officer and was in college for criminal justice before the pills and alcohol took control of her life and she dropped out of college. The officer told my husband he had a sister in the same place as our daughter. His sister was an addict too. He found favor in my daughter that night and told her if she agreed to get help and turn her life around that he would not give her a felony for DUI.

Two days later, she was on a plane to A Forever Recovery. She stayed through the entire program and really take it serious and turned her life around. Now she is home clean and sober with a totally new outlook on life. She is thinking of changing her major. She now wants to help those people that’s lives are bound by addiction to get clean. A Forever Recovery helped her to find herself again, and we all cannot say thank you enough.
W.B. & K.B. 07/09/10

I Want to Be a Better Mom

In withdrawal I learned a lot. The most scary thing to me was seeing how many young people are having drug problems. Being a mom, it really opened my eyes. I prayed every night for help and finally my prayers had been answered. I am very thankful to be here and intend on seeing the treatment program 100% all the way. I want to be a better mom, wife, daughter and person. Withdrawal wasn’t as bad as I thought, I feel really good now, and just knowing that I don’t need anything to feel good or be able to function means so much to me. So thanks a lot withdrawal team. I’m feeling good and ready for the next step to get better.
K.M. 05/12/10

I was Confused about Everything

When I first got to treatment, I was nervous and didn’t want to be away from home. I was confused about everything. My life, how this happened to me, how I ended up here, and what was going to happen now. Once I got to know people at A Forever Recovery, the staff who was so impressive and personnel, the other people that were here for drugs and alcohol that I could relate too, I began to feel a lot better. All of the staff was very friendly and helpful when I wasn’t feeling too good. Richie made me laugh a lot and was really easy to relate to. I’m glad I got to meet him and so many other people from different places. Now I can’t wait to get started with classes and focus on the future.
J.H. 04/03/10

I Figured I was Meant to Live and Die a Junkie

When I first arrived here at A Forever Recovery, I truly felt as if there was no hope for me. I figured I was meant to live and die a junkie. I’d been down every street that I never wanted to travel on. I made myself sick. I was selfish and worthless. I didn’t think there was a life without heroin. I gave this program a chance; knowing that I had nothing to lose.

I learned here, at A Forever Recovery, that there really is happiness out there if you just give yourself the chance to experience it. If there was ever a promise I could make and keep, it’s that. There really is a new life out there once you put down the drugs. Absolutely anything is possible if you can just find the courage to love and trust yourself. Once you are as low as you can go, how much more can you really lose? You deserve another chance, so give it to yourself.
A.M. 02/22/10

I Am Not Perfect

I am a human being, a spiritual being having a human experience. I am an addict, a person with a problem, not a mental deficiency. I am responsible for my recovery, not my addiction. I recognize that I have a lot of issues to work on, but I do know that I’m not alone and that I can get better. I remind myself that I am not perfect. While I still have no idea who I am, I do believe I am a good person and that if I stay clean and keep progressing I will eventually find out. I want to find out who I am rather than die of addiction.
Norman B. 01/17/10