Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Testimonials

Here are a few testimonials from our former clients. To protect their privacy and confidentiality, initials are used instead of full names. You may also jump to client's comments about the food at Clear Haven's cafeteria.

I had a great flight home... and everyone was super supportive and glad to see me. Went to the gym on Saturday and Sunday morning, imagine that, feeling good enough on the mornings on the weekend to do something besides moan and grope for the Motrin and other recovery meds...it felt so good to get up and get into the day the right way.

...I had a great but super busy weekend, shopping, eating out, just running like crazy. Got back to work Monday and got right on the phone, after I hit the gym of course - the environment is totally new, totally different - better than ever, it's really hard to explain. I really didn't have any "triggers" driving to and from work yet, I guess I expect them too much to have them yet, who knows, I just feel too good and am having too much fun to entertain any thoughts of anything else - but I'm always on guard of course. Anyway, life couldn't be much better; I am having a better time in general than I have had in many, many years.

Love you all and know that I am doing well; if I don't (which I don't see happening), you'll be the first to know - just remember that it is so wonderful to just feel good. I think about all of you, all the time, my time there was beyond wonderful and it was what made the good times that I am having now, entirely possible - again, I love ya.

K

During my 3 months at Clear Haven Center I experienced more ups and downs than I could ever hope to include in a short write-up. There were the good days and there were the bad, but in the end they all added up to precisely what I came for: my recovery. Heroin addiction had left me in a shattered state, without the hope or energy one needs in order to make any kind of life recovery.

Three months ago I found myself in a state of total stagnation and despair; my addiction had led me to a point of desperate immobility where nothing existed outside my 6 hour dope-cycle. I was truly at the brink of death with nothing to call my own but a thousand little black scars and a broken soul. I had no future.

When I finally reached a point where I was prepared to make a serious change in order to save my life, I was presented with an opportunity to come to Clear Haven Center, a safe place, where I could learn some tools for sobriety as well as for living a healthy life.

I gained so much more. I have never before in my life had an opportunity to take three months for myself; a time to peel back the layers and walls of my inner and outer personality and to explore the many corridors and shadows that have helped to create the person I was and the person I am today.

The counselors are some of the most intelligent and caring people I have ever met, teaching lessons on most aspects of addictive behavior as well as going into depth with each person individually during their one-on-one sessions. They set time aside, at any time, for the clientele. At a moment's notice - day or night - that someone needed to talk, there would without fail be someone there to listen.

I could not imagine a better staff for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center than those at Clear Haven; people who genuinely care and work their hardest for anybody willing to work for themselves. They worked so hard for me as well as all others.

I could not even begin to write a complete paper on my experience with Clear Haven without mentioning the other clients, of whom I can honestly say are among the most intelligent, creative, and amazing people I have ever met in my life. I found a family 1500 miles from home; people who I will never be able to forget.

So many people from so many walks of life, but all with the same problems - my problems. I am thankful for every single person I met, for they all contributed to a change in mind and attitude that I feel will be a solid base for my continuing recovery.

All in all, my time in Clear Haven was one of the most dynamic and enriching periods of my life, full of memories and lessons that I will know will last a lifetime.

Thank you Clear Haven.
M . B .

I just want to drop all of you a line or two, no pun intended. Life is wonderful! WOW. I can hardly believe that I have been free from drugs and alcohol for 9 weeks. It is truly a miracle. I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for the roles, the memories, the words, the direction, the honesty, the smiles, and the tears shared by all, thanks for being a big part of my recovery. Life is wonderful again.

I hardly recognize the old me when looking through old photo albums. My eyes were open but no lights were on. Now, I embrace each day with purpose, meaning and strength. The temptation to use is hibernating and I treat its absence from my life with great caution and care. I never forget the power of its presence - active or not. Awareness has been an absolutely positive tool for me...the sharpest tool in my shed! So I hope everyone is great. Let me know if you all get a chance. Take care.

Always your friend,
L

All is fine with me. Just a line to say hi and again thanks for giving me back my life. I've started a new business with my son as my partner...It's pretty exciting getting it off the ground and working with him. My wife is so much more happier these days. And I owe a good portion of this to Clear Haven. Give all the counselors and Terry my best, and if there is anything I can do to help someone else please let me know. Well that's it for now. God bless and good-bye.

K

December 7, 2009

My downward spiral stopped at Clear Haven Center. I don’t really know how it happened, and I can’t fully explain why. I had been drinking since the age of 13. By the time I was 38 dents were mysteriously appearing on my car. About the same time the dents appeared I realized alcohol wasn’t working for me anymore, so being the intelligent guy I am I started searching for a better drug. I found it in crack cocaine.

Crack brought me to places I never thought I’d go. I sold my house for it and bought a camper. I sold the camper for it and bought a car. I sold the car for it and finally realized I was homeless, but that still didn’t stop me. My parents insisted that I return home and get help. I returned home, but continued using; sucking the two people who still had an ounce of faith in me into the vortex of the living hell drugs had created around me. Finally my parents insisted I go to Clear Haven Center (CHC).

When I arrived at CHC I had only been free from cocaine’s grasp for three days. I felt worthless and was suicidal. I didn’t want to be there, and couldn’t understand the behavior of CHC staff. I thought they were putting on some sort of act, like they gave a damn about me. I felt like they were pretending I had some value, when I knew I didn’t. Over time I realized they were right and I was wrong.

As the drug-induced haze in my mind disappeared I began to realize that I might have options. CHC had daily classes where we learned how to deal with our drug problem, and virtually any other problem life might throw at us. They taught us to be strong, and that we had value, and that we could build a new life, free from drugs and filled with possibilities. I fall back on these lessons every day, not because I need to, but because they make sense. Complex tasks and situations are no longer a challenge. I can pursue my dreams, without drugs or alcohol.

I am now a productive, contributing member of society and am proud of it. I can’t guaranty I’ll never pick up again, but if I do I’ll know how to stop, and where to go if I need help. Today I can honestly say that I never want to use drugs or alcohol again. My life excites me and I want to see what happens next!

Ben C., December 7, 2009

Client Comments About Clear Haven's Cafeteria and Food

December 22, 2009

"Yes I like most of the menu selections and the kitchen staff are great"

"Good selection"

"Fresh and good food. Love the staff. Appreciate them"

"Presentation!...excellent. Lots of choices of salads and veggies. As said before, if you didn't like what was on the menu, there was always 2 items served "meat" or a "fish" along with the sides to go wih. If you walked away hungry than you didn't look hard enough or you weren't hungry to begin with. I think the selection was very fair for what the ladies have to work with."

"Food is always hot and nutritious. The chefs and servers are always friendly and efficient."

"Fast service,over all good food."

"The food was well cooked and I never went away hungry"