Hey, I've been out of the hospital for a week and 3 days, got back to work, got some shit in order, tuned up my bike and my guitar lol.

Things are so much better.

I wasn't really sure what to do with myself without the drugs and alcohol but I'm finding good healthy things to replace all that. Going in was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, I learned more in 6 weeks than I did in 20 years. I'm feeling stronger everyday and I'm finally able to say with confidence that the abuse was not my fault and I don't have to beat myself up for it anymore. I'm not just saying that, I believe it in my heart.

Anyway, it's nice to be out and have the chance to start a new life.

Thanks for the support everyone...

Jay

This is great new Jaysen! What kind of facility was it? A rehab facility?

Jaysen,
Congratulations man!!! It is good to hear the hope and postitiveness in your post.

"I believe it in my heart"

AWESOME!!!

buzz

Congrats Jay!!

I am so proud you got the help you needed!

Now its time to start living a life much different from your old one....thats tough.

Brian

Wow... sounds like a whole new view of the world! Congrats! So you are coming up on your 8 week Soberversary!!!! Celebrate!

dan

It was a rehab / hospital where once you check yourself in, or once someone else checks you in you can't get out until the docs say you're okay. Kind of like being in jail only no drugs, no prison tatts and no sex. Oh and they actually care about you too! lol. It was great, truly a great experience. I fought it at first but gave in and accepted the fact that I needed the help, it was the best thing I ever did. The only regret I have is that I didn't make the decision and check in myself... it took a series of very drastic events that lead up to a friend basically hauling my ass over there. This is the longest I've ever been sober and it feels pretty damn good. The best part is I actually like myself. I can look at myself in a mirror, I can get on my bike and drive down the coast without worrying about an accident, I wake up in the morning with a clear head and memory what happened the night before, I don't find any tattoos, piercings or marks on my body and wonder where the hell I got them, I can eat and not feel sick or guilty and I don't feel like I have anything to prove to anyone anymore. The place itself is pretty isolated, even if you were able to break out and jump the wall you'd have a real hard time getting to a main road before they found you! lol. The first few weeks there is something I never want to go through again, withdrawl from a variety of drugs including heroin and alcohol, there was nothing I could do but just go through it, nothing in the room to hurt myself with, no way to get out, just had to deal, no choice. After that it was daily therapy and group activities, supervised lunch time, endless meetings with the therapist, nutritionist, etc. AA meetings, NA meetings... you name it. I met a ton of really good people there, a lot of sad stories but a lot of happy endings.

Jaysen sounds like you made a major step forward. Congrats Tom

Jay,

I am so happy for you. I knew you could do it - it was all just a matter of taking the decision to do what's best for you. It's so cool to see that you're on your way.

Much love,
Larry

Thanks Larry. On my way to where I don't know but it's a hell of a lot better than where I came from!

Jay

Awesome, Jaysen

I'm so glad for you. There will be times in the future when things can get very hard. Remember what you've learned about yourself. Remember that you are not alone. Remember the good things that are now. Sometimes it's hard to feel, but you know you can, and you know you can get through those feelings without going back to bad habits.