Another option to rehab? This success didn't want rehab either!
It is always nice to have people happy with the service you have provided them. It is better when in the case of addiction that they say "thank you" when they complete the program especially when they came in kicking and stamping! This North American guest lives in Panama already and came to our center as the result of an intervention, see what she has to say below!
If anyone had told me, even six months ago, that I would spend 91 days in an alcohol/drug recovery program, I would have been incredulous. Alcohol rehab? Me? Yet, on January 25th of this year, I enrolled in Dan Callahan’s recovery program, The Last Resort, Real Life Recovery.
That fateful day, a loving group of friends appeared at my house and gently told me I needed immediate help for my alcoholism; that I needed to pack right away and head for a rehab.
Horrified, furious, humiliated, and terrified, I packed a mish-mash of whatever and left to meet my mentor.
Weeping, I was met by a tall, kind guy named “Dan ”, who welcomed me (with a really, really huge New York accent). And I stayed there for 91 days.
It was a warm, calm environment, very comforting, and not at all “institution-like”. Dan is available, literally, 24/7. Dan is serious when he says, “Just knock if you need anything, anytime”.
The daily routine is relaxed but effective. I met with some excellent mentors/lecturers several times a week. These people help guide guests through the complexities of addiction, the importance of the AA 12-Step Program, spiritual concepts and the principles of Universal Law, to name a few. They have also walked the path of addiction and have devoted themselves to “cheer-leading others”.
The massage therapy/acupuncture treatments are luxurious and healing. The Last Resort has chosen exceptional and empathic professionals. I used to hate massage, fear acupuncture and shun alternative medical thinking.
OK, I was wrong.
There is the interesting aspect of spending a lot of time with other guests. My initial reaction was, nicely put, “I don’t want your company; leave me alone”. What I learned is that we do need the company of other people suffering from addiction – and we can recognize in ourselves the problems and mysteries of addiction through sharing with others. A real camaraderie develops, which amazed me.
The Last Resort Recovery Program provides an environment which encourages normal activities. The expression “real-life recovery” means exactly that – living day to day in real life circumstances, in real life situations. This approach, at least for me, is more realistic for coping “after the recovery center”.
I believe The Last Resort recovery system is unique. As a grateful “graduate”, I highly recommend it.
Nairn
