Testimonials

Dear LVRC,

October 20, 2004, I walked through your doors at LVRC, and little did I know then that it would be the last day that I would ever have to be alone again.

The love and support that I received from the staff and my peers was something I have never experienced before. They taught me how to trust and love others as well as love myself. I now know that other people's actions do not have to dictate my feelings or self -worth. I learned that my higher power brought me this far and will continue to carry me through the rest of my life. Instead of living in fear, I know how to live with faith.

I had the best counselor in the world, Renee, without whom I could never have done any of this. Her love and guidance brought me through a very dark tunnel, and I know she will always be here for me, unconditionally. I also want to thank Paul who was such an inspiration and walked me through tough times. All the nurses, techs, (Christy YOU ROCK!) cooks and sweet Millie, all cared about me and took good care of me in such a way that I felt we were one big happy family.

I did not choose this disease but I can choose to live in Recovery. I do not know what the future holds for me, I do know that I never have to use again.

Thank you all for everything. You have absolutely changed my life. I will miss you all.

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Dearest LVRC:

When I came into your center on October 23, 2004, I was defeated. I knew I could no longer go on living my miserable existence. I felt hopeless and scared.

Since that day, I have grown tremendously and I owe it all to each and every one of you. You have seen me through some difficult times in the beginning and then proceeded to teach me all about this disease.

You often told me just how proud you were of me and what a good job I was doing. This helped my self-esteem more than you will ever know.

I know you all Love Me and have a lot of hope for me. You make this apparent to me every time we speak. I hope I have touched your lives as much as you have touched mine. (LVRC ROCKS!)

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Dear Rene, George, Paul and Mitch,

Well, hey, what can I say, my experience here has been so wonderful. Thank you all so very much for your selflessness and kindness. As I walk out the door, I enter a new world—a new life awaits me! I feel that I have the tools to guide me further into recovery and I have those because of your guidance and wisdom. Everyday you all give such a priceless gift to strangers who walk through these doors lost and feeling defeated. You are truly very special people who I have grown to love so very much. Thank You from my mending heart. I miss you all so very much.

God bless every one of you and know that I hold each of you tightly in my heart.

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Dear Renee,

I am so grateful for the second chance and now have a life. Before coming to LVRC, my future was destined for certain death due to drugs.

LVRC and the staff have been so exceptional in the caring, compassion, empathy and patience. I was able to feel safe and comfortable showing my true self.

The groups were so educational with a heart-felt touch. The NA meetings opened my eyes to support out there. You and each counselor were always there for me. Thank you so much!

To Lou, D, Dr. Pohl, Frank, and others: thank you so much for everything. To all the other staff, Nursing, Bill and Glen, thank you for allowing me my occasional poor attitude and treating me with kindness.

I believe I have the tools and direction to take responsibility for my recovery, one day at a time. I will miss the comfort and safety at LVRC and the wonderful people. Y'all are great, I will remember you with great attention and I will aspire to model what I have learned here from the people that have "Been There."

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Hey everyone, just checking in and letting you know everything's cool. I did a 5th step with my sponsor. I've been doing my step work every Monday at my sponsor's house and I've been practicing the principles in all my affairs: my life couldn't be better. I give it to a Loving God everyday and try-to-try to do his will.

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Dear Counselors,

Re: Good Stuff

Hey! So how is life over there at LVRC? I am enjoying my clean time more and more each day. I got myself 64 days now and have never felt better. I will have to come and get my green chip at the Thursday night meeting when I get back from Lake Havasu in a week or so.

I thought you guys would enjoy this and put it to good use. Take care and say hi to everyone.

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Recovery

A clean life is in my dreams
I'm alive and well at least it seems.

My thoughts are clouded with self-deception
I think my disease put forth a depression.

Hitting bottom I reach out for help
No longer could manage the cards dealt.

Thank God, I found help in a facility
Funny how I became my responsibility.

One chance I hope can save me
Truly, God's blessing behind a small fee.

That's no price to pay for a good life in return
And sometimes friends share desires that burn.

Now two weeks I've truly been clean
There's a purpose to life it's clear I've seen.

I owe the world to Las Vegas Recovery Center
I Love them dearly for all they've done for me.

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Dear Renee,

This stay at Las Vegas Recovery Center has changed my life. I finally got it this time. I finally accepted my powerlessness over my addiction. I accepted the unmanageability and surrendered my life to my higher power.

It has been an experience that marks the turning point of a twenty-three-year addiction to drugs & alcohol. Thirty days is what I needed, the light finally came on, and I now understand failure, relapse, humility, NA and the twelve steps to name a few.

As I embark in a few days back to reality, I am very confident in the tools I have learned here will keep me clean. I know the signs of relapse to look out for, denial, fear, people-pleasing, anger, blaming others, resentment, isolation, compulsion, high-risk situations, lies and rationalization to name a few. I have a great relapse-prevention plan in place and will share my continued success at staying clean at meetings. I want to thank everyone at LVRC for their support, insight, knowledge and hard work on my recovery.