All the years wasted
If we've ever dare tasted
This dark place called addiction
Where we lay in our affliction 

We'ed all move our feet
For something so sweet
This new life in recovery
Promises to be lovely

When we think there's no other way
He gives us another day

Another chance
One more last dance
To live the right way
With promise of a brighter day

Towards one goal
To climb out of this hole
Never to walk in shame
Never to be the same

His promise to be near
Or to ever live in fear
If we just take him in
We'ed begin--to see clear

Always thankful to Sacred Heart
For this brand new fresh start

Thank you Sacred Heart

-Bobby

Hello,

My name is Michelle P. and I am/was an addict . . . 

Substance has had an impact on my life because multiple things have happened. Like me having negative thoughts, stealing, depression and etc. It also has an impact on my family members because I am hurting them plus getting worked up and worrying about me. It has a impact on my community because I can/may go out stealing and hurting and harming other just to go out and catch that next high for the day.

It all started when I was 16 years old and I found out I had Lupus. I was sick in the hospital one time because I broke down. 

After a couple of years, I graduated High School in Detroit, Michigan in 2007 at 18 years old. I then went to medical assistant school and received certificate in 2008.

Yes, I did I had it all. I got better, I got a boyfriend an apartment and I already had a nice truck because of my parents. I was actually doing great I had it all plus a little more. I loved my life.

I was on pain pills like a normal person. Then all of a sudden one day things start to go down hill. I was having my days because of my Lupus. I was already stressing over my relationship, my job and mainly my health. One thing after another thing hit, I start being in the hospital twice a week and then the pain pill taking start getting worse [the pain and sleeping pills I was trying for different types of pain I was having]. 

Most of all the pills that I couldn't stop taking were a high does of Vicodin. I was only suppose to take 1 pill every 4-6 hours and as needed. But I stopped that and I was taking 1-3 pills every 2-4 hours. I was over medicating myself.

The sleeping pills at first was 1 pill every night for sleep. Then I doubled the dose and started over medicating myself and taking a bottle of sleeping pills without even remembering it. I even woke in hospitals because of it.  

Now realizing that now of this pill popping and OD-ing isn't good for me and has me feeling worse than when I first ever started taking these pills. I came to Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center.  

Sacred Heart has helped me to realize that my life for me and my family is more important than a bottle of pills. It has also helped me to understand life is more clear. How to cope with things, take action and don't care about everyone else and their feeling and what they think. How to not be angry about everything.

Sacred Heart has really changed my whole outlook on life. It's guiding me to a much better future to live and be happy until the day I die. 

I am so proud of myself. I'm going to be a whole new new woman the day I walk out of Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center.

I'm going to pass this place on to better many more lives just like it has done mine.

If I had never came here I would just be home taking more pills which will lead to the next worse thing which could of been shooting up somewhere or found dead out in the streets or in my bed. 

I'm so happy this chance has come to me and I took it and ran with it.

Now I'm going to walk out of here and better myself for me and my life. I'm also going to make my family proud of me again and be the best role model for my brothers, sisters, niece, and nephew. No one will have to worry about me again, I promise.

I loved this program. It taught me so much I can't wait to use what I know when I get back out in the world and start living my life again!

Thank you Sacred Heart!

Love, Michelle P.

This is farewell, adios, and goodbye-
You will not interfere with my life anymore, no matter how hard you try. 

You've warped my mind and let me hurt those that I love-
I'll beat and overcome you with help from heaven above.

I'm better than you and in recovery I will succeed-
With meetings and Sacred Heart, I will gain the skills that I need.

I'm choosing a new path and this one is full of light-
Not full of darkness, loneliness, and fright.

So good-bye addiction, you menacing disease-
You're not holding me back anymore, I'm setting myself free.

Written by: Virginia B.

Bright starlit eyes
Staring into the distance
Wind blowing her hair
She's awaiting, dreaming of her existence

Take me away
To my own natural high
Leaving this reckless life-
and sincerely saying goodbye

Blowing out memories of evil
Breathing in thoughts of hope
Trying to fight off a disease
No longer craving dirty dope

A little girl screaming inside
Scared and lost from addiction
Praying to a higher power
Waiting for her next conviction

Developing a desire for adventure
All these thoughts in her mind racing
She surrenders-
and recovery she's now chasing

Written by Michelle B.

My name is Jamie L.
I was at Sacred Heart Residential from November 29th to December 19th of 2012. I knew that I would end up going to Sacred Heart- when I truly had enough pain, and was ready actually ready to surrender my suffering from my addiction. And the hurt I felt from "using" daily.

I always knew Sacred Heart was THEE BEST rehabilitation service there was. But, I was always afraid to commit to giving up my heroin addiction. But, after many times of waking up face down, with brokern ribs, a broken nose and things to terrible to talk about--my higher power told me --THIS WAS IT!

I'd put myself in so many situations that I would've never been in sober. I hurt so many people who loved me- and thankfully- those people still love me. My higher power told me I had no more "runs" left in me! 

Sacred Heart helped me save my life! I know- if I'd kept using I'd be dead, today! No doubt! My higher power was so strong and powerful- even in the employees in Sacred Heart. I ended up submitting my will over to my higher power.

I missed out on 20 years of my life- thinking I was this great wonderful person when I was "high", but the truth is . . . everyone was pulling away from me- even my kids. No one could stand me. But, now that I am sober- I feel like I finally am the person I used to be. That I liked being- and that other liked being around!

I had shut out so much in my life when i "used". But, now I am experiencing all the things that i have longed- for so long and they are actually satisfying to me. Even the little things! But when I was high- I was numb and thought I was experiencing those things- when I really didn't feel anything.

If I wouldn't of went to Sacred Heart- I would be still miserable, lonely, person I used t be. The staff made me feel understood- they'd been there! And they showed me love, when I felt I didn't deserve any. Nor loved myself, I began to have some self respect while there and care about myself- again.

I am so truly grateful for ALL of the staff! they understood us so well- better than you all are probably feeling at first. They love everyone and understand exactly how we feel- in every step of your recovery. They truly are family to all of us- because we all [even many of the staff] have been where you are and in between the bad and good. I also want to especially thank the nurses for being so caring and empathetic when I truly had been suffering.

I was a hurt child [not yet the women I am beginning to become finally] when I got there. I had so much hurt and pain in my life that it came out as anger. Sacred Heart taught me- I had to "let go"- to move on with my recovery. To get "well" and I cam e to realize I was mad at myself and mainly hurt me- I am NOT an angry person today. I also have learned to let "go" of people and things that had hurt me and held me down my whole life. 

Now, I am grateful for every minute, every hour, and everyday.

Thank you, to Sacred Heart, even other clients, I Have learned from everyone there. About how I didn't want to be anymore, and exactly who and how I want to be.

I have 45 days "clean" now, and I feel great! I pray everyday for everyone who has been to or is at Sacred Heart- that you all will get the same spiritual awakening that I had when I was there. It has truly changed me inside and out.

I have no urge to use. Sometimes my body tried to trick me- into believing I'm still "sick", but it only takes 30 seconds to loose that thought or feeling.

Change really does happen when the pain becomes greater- than the fear of change itself. That is thee best way to put it. If you really have had enough pain than surrender your heart while you're in Sacred Heart and watch the change in yourself! It's great!

Thank you for all of the knowledge and help- you've truly given me- Sacred Heart. I am truly grateful to all of you- staff and clients for everything you've done for me!

Love you all-
Jamie L.

Santa came to visit the children staying with their mom's while in Substance Use Disorder Treatment at Sacred Heart Clearview Women & Children Specialty Services. They got to meet and talk with Santa and then open presents! They were very surprised and grateful for every moment and present. Pictures were taken in house by Sacred Heart and generously edited by Tuff Photo Pet Photography (www.tuffphoto.com).

Growing up I had a missing link. That link was how to love myself. It disabled me with problem solving. As I grew older my problems were solved with substance abuse. The roller coaster ride began. Clean, straight, clean, straight.

With time it passed. First, I sought help through AA. The pieces to help me still hadn’t been found. AA had let me down. My next approach was outpatient therapy. Sessions were made. Medication was tried. The pieces still hadn’t connected.

December 11, 2007 will be the day to be never forgotten. My despair that day seemed hopeless. The love and support my family provided did not provide that link. How could it? I was the one with the disease. I called a friend and begged her to drive me to where her daughter had treatment. I showed up at Sacred Heart.

In my stay at Sacred Heart challenges were there at my most vulnerable time. Some were good some were horrible. Each member in the house gave me my links towards recovery. That towering wall finally got knocked down. I finally could say “I love Sonia”.

My goal will be to continue with therapy and go back to AA. I have been blessed with a family that has loved and supported me.

Thank you Sacred Heart and thank you to all the clients.

Sonia A.
Age 51

The time I wasted is my biggest regret, spent in these places I will never forget.
Just sitting and thinking about the things I have done, the crying, the laughing, the hurt and the fun.

Now it’s just me and my hard driven guilt, behind a wall of emptiness I allowed to be built.
I am trapped in my body, just wanting to run, back to my youth with its laughter and fun.

But the chase is over and there’s no place to hide, everything is gone, including my pride.
With reality suddenly right in my face, I am scared and alone and stuck in this place.

Now memories of the past flash through my head, and the pain is obvious by the tears I shed.
I ask myself why and where I went wrong, I guess I was weak when I should of been strong.

Living for drugs and the wings I had grown, my feelings were lost, afraid to be shown.
As I look at my past, it’s easy to see, the fear that I had, afraid to be me.

I would pretend to be rugged, so fast and so cool, when actually I was lost like a blind fool.
I am getting too old for this tiresome game, of acting real hard, with no sense of shame.

It’s time that I changed and get on with my life, fulfilling my dreams for a family, to be a wife.
What my future will hold, I really don’t know, but the years that are wasted are starting to show.

I just live for the day when I’ll get a new start, and the dreams I still hold, deep in my heart.
I hope I can make it, I at least have to try, because I am heading towards death and I don’t want to die.

-By, Linzi M., age 24

My addiction has become my affliction.
During my life, there has been so much friction.

Such a painful price to pay, I say this with strong conviction.

Treatment is never where I wanted to be.

But in my sickness I couldn’t break free.

Let the truth be told, my addiction has gotten the best of me.

There was another center that turned me away.

But in the end it was Sacred Heart, that said for 30 days you are welcome to stay.

Today I have a brand new start, now it’s up to me to do my part.

-by, B., Age 50

God help me, life’s getting rough-
Who knew change would be this tough?

I thought that life would get better-
If I followed the rules down to the letter.

The pain in my heart I cannot explain. . .
Making it difficult to keep myself sane.

Wishing for death, yet wanting live-
Hating myself, but wanting to forgive. . .

Forgive myself and those that have hurt me-
Without forgiveness I can’t have true recovery.

To my friends and family, I humbly apologize-
And I hope that someday you will all recognize. . .

A change in my actions as well as my heart-
And possibly allow me another fresh start.

Only an addict can understand addiction’s hold-
But I’ve played all my cards and it’s time to fold.

So, I’m laying it all out, the truth’s on the table-
I’m an addict, accept me if you are able.

-Eugene S.

When I first came to Sacred Heart my self esteem was in shambles. Over the past three years, while active in my cocaine addiction I have managed to [not lose, but] give away the trust of my family, countless material possessions, any real friendships I may have had and my marriage to my addiction. All while of course putting the people who truly love me, my priorities, and my responsibilities on a permanent hold. I’d almost giving up all hope that my life would ever get back on track.

Since being here I’ve learned that if I focus only on the failures of my past, I will never move successfully into my recovery and as a result I won’t have a future at all to look forward to (unless it’s in a jail cell or a coffin).

Today I spend time looking at the bad and the good things that have happened in my past. But rather than wallowing in self-pity or dredging up painful memories over and over I’m recognizing my faults, moving toward acceptance and looking forward to a positive future of recovery.

Regardless of what’s already happened due to my poor choices- my higher power has a purpose for me otherwise I wouldn’t still be here. It’s not all above me. And for that reason here I stand today in front of the people in my life that truly care.

I know that my higher powers healing power has begun to work in my heart, my mind, my will and my emotions. I was powerless to control my tendencies to do the wrong thing and had lost my gratitude for the little things in life. But I’m finding my faith again and I thank my higher power every morning for being there and for putting me thru the trials, hurts and hang-ups that he has because it brought me here, where I can stand in front of my mother and my husband and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unconditional love and support. And I’m truly sorry for the countless sleepless nights, the jailhouse phone bills and excruciating pain I’ve caused.

It’s such a relief to put my worries of tomorrow in my higher powers hands and pray for his guidance while I live for today. I still (and always will) have a lot to learn, but I like me for me again. And I know that what I had become- is not who I truly am.

-S. S. , Age 24

Methadone replacement therapy works because it fulfills three basic requirements of any program of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The program, to be effective, must
(1) reduce access to drugs and alcohol. It must provide a
(2) supportive structure as well as make the client
(3) accountable to dependable persons other then themselves.
 
The first requirement is that access to drugs (in this case opiates) is limited. A methadone maintained client loses his craving for opiates because the methadone sticks to the opiate receptors in the brain and won’t let any other opiates get by them. While the methadone is playing spoiler, it activates the receptors thus reducing the desire for opiates (sort of like when you don’t want to eat because you are full) at the same time that it prevents the sickness of opiate withdrawal from occurring. This process occurs slowly so that the intoxicating effects on the nervous system are minimized. In this way, the first requirement of a program of recovery is fulfilled as far as opiates are concerned. Other drugs and alcohol continue to have to be avoided to prevent active addiction on top of methadone maintenance. The primary goal for all other drugs of abuse and alcohol, while in methadone maintenance, is complete abstinence. As a client is stabilized on methadone, opiate intoxication no longer occurs. This leaves the client, who greatly misses the intoxication effect, vulnerable to the abuse of other drugs and alcohol to replace the loss of his usual opiate high.
 
The second requirement of a program of recovery is supportive structure. An addict whose life has been dominated by chasing drugs needs to replace the old order of things with a new order of things. In a methadone maintenance program, structure is maintained by the need to acquire the methadone as well as a schedule of mandatory therapeutic services. In the early stages of recovery, the structure is implemented by requiring that a client attend the clinic daily to pick up the medicine. The intensity and frequency of therapeutic services is high for the first 90 days to a year. Participants may be required to attend groups and individual sessions weekly, but as the client is in the program longer services may become less frequent. At first, the methadone clinic may be the sole source of structure for the client, but as time passes other sources begin to emerge such as deeper involvement in the 12 step program, work, healthy exercise and family involvement. As normal life structure begins to develop the methadone clinic reduces its role in the client’s life. The ultimate goal of a therapist is to do away with the therapist.
 
The third requirement of a program of recovery is accountability. A new client needs to find ways to make her self accountable to dependable outside authorities. The nature of recovery from addiction is to realize that when an addict is left to his own devices he will not be able to keep himself straight. He needs guard rails. The methadone clinic provides these guard rails by providing a regular monitoring service. Clients are tested for drugs and alcohol so that when the clinic staff and the client say that the client is free of illicit drugs, the evidence is objective.  The client is also required to bring in any prescriptions for evaluation in order to prevent the client from abusing licit drugs. It is much harder to use or abuse drugs or alcohol when you are in a relationship with an objective and observant person and that person has the ability to manage positive and negative rewards to keep you on track.
 
For any program of recovery to be successful these three aspects of a TX program, limiting access, providing structure and accountability must be implemented along with encouragement to find a more effective philosophy of life.

-Sacred Heart Therapist