“Coming to ARC & choosing recovery was the best choice that I have ever made. This place gave me the accountability and structure I needed while figuring out who I was as a person and learning how to live my life clean.”
Hello everyone my full name is Perry O. and I was brought into this family on March 8th 2016 and I am very grateful that you can believe I’ve been trying recovery since my mother’s death in 1989 so you do the math, 20 something years but I’ve been succeeding for the last 32 days thank my lord and Jesus Christ oh yeah and Brandi. I’ve been going to early bird meetings at Sparrows nest and staying away from my old friends and just recently I’ve been able to start saving money. I have all the info I need to start to get my ID back leading up to my license and so on, those are just some of my goals. There are many but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and by the next phase up I’ll have a sponsor and my ID, I’d bet you that. I’ve learned a lot here and I am still learning. I believe again that I can and will stay outta trouble. I learned to talk to people better to listen better and to think first. I’ve learned to play the whole tape through and more than anything I am not alone, that there are many fighting the good fight against drugs and alcohol. Just do the next right thing say no and pray, pray a lot, and unfortunately stay away from old friends and the clubs. Oh lord I really miss the clubs but that’s what we all know, is a high risk situation and must be avoided. I also try to keep my emotions in check. I’ve learned that they are more dangerous than old places. Old drinking buddies, they are the worst because we can’t run or hide from them wherever we go there we are and so are they, we are truly our own worst enemies but, we can and will do it thus I believe this. I have faith in my sobriety, I’m doing it, we are doing it, we are sober. Thank you lord, that is my most precious accomplishment since being here. That’s the one that matters the most next to the love for my family and friends and you are all my friends not friend/enemies but friends of mine and we will be alright by the grace of god and I thank all of you.
Perry
My name is Dale, and I am a recovering alcoholic. I was born in South Florida, but have lived in Georgia most of my life. I have spent the better part of the last 6 years in long-term treatment and made it to ARC on March 23rd. As of today, I have 4 and a half months of sobriety. Alcohol was my DOC (drug of choice) mainly because it was cheap, legal, and readily available. It took 30 years of alcohol abuse before the drug finally got its hooks in me. Like most of us the damage was extensive. My primary goal for the next several months will be focused on relapse prevention. I do well when I have a network of support, but when left alone I tend to fall on my face. As part of my relapse prevention plan, I’ll be building a wide network of support that I can turn to before I slip. The most effective tool I’ve found to stay sober is to look hard at the consequences. The consequences today are far greater than ever before. As for high-risk situations that’s easy to identify. There is one on every corner in this town…I may look over at the liquor store, but I drive by it. As for emotions, I’m still dealing with some mild depression and anxiety. The only accomplishment worth mentioning is that I have remained sober since being at ARC. I plan to work so it stays that way.
Dale
My name is Greg and I am an addict. My original date of intake was April 29th, but my readmission date is June 6th. I have been in recovery since July 2014. I am meeting my treatment goals by going to meetings, talking to my sponsor, progressing through the steps, and focusing on school. My goals for phase one are staying sober and avoiding relapse, improving my mental health, and finishing school. Some skills I have learned is to avoid drugs by reaching out when I need help and not putting myself in high-risk situations. These high-risk situations include hanging out with old friends, hanging out at bars, and acting out in old behaviors. Some skills I have learned is to avoid these high-risk behaviors by meeting people at meetings or ARC and hanging out with them instead. Some high-risk emotions I have identified are boredom, loneliness, and anger. Since being in ARC, I have been able to go back to school and to develop better relations with my parents. After leaving the program a month ago on an impulse decision, I have developed gratitude and willingness more than I have ever had before. I try each day to remind myself of the opportunities and blessings I receive each day in recovery. Although not always easy, I know that my life will be miserable without recovery. I am working each day to improve my commitment to this program and to practice the spiritual principles that allow me to get better. Some days are better than others, but all in all I am grateful to be given this opportunity to change my life.
Greg
My date of intake is June 16th, 2016. I have been in recovery for almost one month. I am meeting my treatment goals by completing all my assignments, completing homework, and going to 12th step meeting every week. My goals for the next phase is to remain sober and stay hard working, work the 12th steps and stay out of trouble. Some skills I have learned to help avoid getting high or drunk is to just simply stay away from old places and things. Some high risk situations I have identified are bars and places that I used to go. Some skills I have learned to deal with high risk situations was to change my attitude and my surroundings. That is one reason I am here in Athens and not in Oakwood. Some of my high risk emotions are fear, being angry, and feeling sad. The things I have accomplished while being here is doing everything that is asked, like homework assignments, going to all my classes and 12 step meetings. And I would like to thank Brandy and the staff here for giving me a chance to change my life.
Marcus
I am Alex and I am an addict. My date of intake is April 14th, 2016. I have been in recovery for 4 ½ months. I have been meeting my treatment goals by going to all my classes, working with a sponsor, and just doing what I need to do. For the next phase, I plan on working more with my sponsor, doing what is expected of me, and staying sober. Some skills I have learned to stay sober are thinking about what might happen to me and how it will affect others if I use, and to call my sponsor if I feel like using. Some high risk situations are old friends, places I use to hang out, parties, and all around sketchy people. To avoid high risk situations and people I just stay with people that are clean and in the program and stay away from places I use to go and just be aware of what I am doing and who I am with. Some high risk emotions are boredom, anger, sadness. Being at ARC, after some minor setbacks, I have managed to stay sober, make all my classes, complete a lot of my to-do choirs, keep a job, phase up, get a sponsor, and go to meetings. I would just like to thank everybody at ARC for helping me do what I got to do, and for being there when I need them. Thanks!
Alex
