A DESIGN FOR LIFE ....
I was 49 years old when I first walked into the Athens Area Commencement Center. I was facing legal problems, marital problems, occupational problems, and health problems, just to name a few. At the time, I did not realize that every one of these problems were a direct result of my addiction to alcohol and drugs. I had enjoyed drinking and using for 31 years, 25 of which brought me no adverse consequences. In my early to mid forties, things began to change and I could no longer achieve that sense of euphoria that had historically worked so well. I could not imagine life without these substances, but could no longer live life with them. I was confused and scared and did not know what was happening to my life. A family friend recommended the Athens Area Commencement Center, so I came in for an assessment. Treatment for alcohol and drug abuse was recommended by the staff, so I began a journey into recovery that I wasn’t sure I really needed, and only half-heartedly wanted at the time.
Athens Area Commencement Center provides individualized care to fit every patient’s unique needs. The staff works with families and employers to determine an appropriate treatment plan for long term recovery success. Treatment consists of outpatient medical detoxification, partial hospitalization treatment, day and evening outpatient treatment, and aftercare. The center provides psycho-education to assist patient’s understanding of their disease and to achieve a balanced and successful recovery. Licensed and Certified addiction counselors provide clients an understanding of their addiction. Individual and Group therapy, along with the utilization of support groups come together in healing clients and families. Athens Area Commencement Center facilitates recovery through making and rebuilding lives of alcohol and drug addicted individuals. “Admitting you have a chemical dependency problem is the first step. Contacting the Athens Area Commencement Center is the second step. We can’t make quitting easy, but we can make it possible”
My experience at the Athens Area Commencement Center was very enlightening, to say the least. Looking back, I was provided with a supervised detoxification program, education, stabilization, and a much needed introduction into the recovery community here in the Athens area. Being able to go home at night was also a very positive thing, because I had looked at some long term in-house treatment facilities, and did not want to be separated from my family and job for extended periods, which amazingly were still intact. The Commencement Center program lasted for six weeks and after graduation, I immediately entered their Aftercare Program. This was very beneficial to me in that Aftercare provided two years where I was kept accountable for my sobriety and gave me a group setting with other recovering alcoholics and addicts to face and discuss life’s situations in early recovery. I was also encouraged to get involved with one of the Twelve Step Programs early on and was taken to AA meetings five days a week while in I was in treatment.
Today, in sobriety, I have found a new and wonderful existence. Although life isn’t perfect, it is better than I could have ever imagined. I’m not afraid of living life and have not felt it necessary to drink or use for almost four years now. I was astonished to find out how much fun and enjoyable life is with a clear mind and a recovery program that allows me to live with a sense of purpose, dignity and peace. All of my problems have completely disappeared, and my marriage has not only been restored, but has seen vast improvement over what it was, even in the early years before alcohol and drugs were a problem. I am very grateful for what the Commencement Center did for me, for I do not believe that I could have ever done it without their help, patience, and guidance.
Jim T.
