In order to call myself an alumnus of Destination Hope, it is clear that my life previous to treatment must have been in shambles. I needed help and I needed it fast. I finally got to a point of desperation in my addiction that I reached out to one of my friends who I grew up with that I knew was clean. She went out of her way to help me, and I am so grateful that she brought me to this amazing facility called Destination Hope.
This was my first treatment center, so I had no idea what to expect. Naturally, at first I was so scared to be in a new place where I had to be vulnerable to all of these people I had just come into contact with. As I got more comfortable, I realized that I was here to attack the underlying cause of my addiction, given that the drugs are only a symptom of my disease. With the help of one of the most amazing women I have had the pleasure of having in my life, Anne C., I unloaded everything that I needed to in order to move on. I did not forget the past and everything that I have been through, but I acknowledge that these things happened. I now realize that had I not endured these events, I would not be exactly where I am today.
Looking back on it now, I feel that I grew up a lot in Destination Hope. I will be forever grateful for Alexa for bringing me to DH, and for the techs and therapists that stood by me throughout my stay at DH. Without these people and staying connected as much as possible, I would not be able to be the person I am today. I am grateful I can say I am an alumnus and am involved still with the alumni program at DH. I grow more and more each day but only because of the work I did at Destination Hope, which got me to where I am now. Life today is great. I have a roof over my head, a job, a bed to sleep in, and I am healthy. For these simple things that I now appreciate, I thank my higher power every day.
