Hi All, I just now found this portion of the boards, never realized it was here before. I have a special guy friend inside who is getting an intense drug treatment program. He said it's the only one of its kind in Florida, and I'm so glad he got into the program. I've been clean and sober for 7 years, and this is a man I met when I was in treatment. Obviously he's been adding to his story since then :>. Anyway just wanted to say hello. Wonder if anyone else has had success in getting clean inside? He really sounds like he's hit his bottom, which is always good.
Mary

My sister did 2 years in prison and she spent those two years doing everything she could to learn how to stay clean. There wasn't much in the way of meetings but she did a prison corespondence with somegroup, some kind of prison ministries group, anyway she had a great attitude and when she got out she stayed clean and sober for 2 years, but then hooked up with an old boyfriend and started drinking & using again. She's been in & out of recovery now for the last 3 years. But she did get clean initially in prison by reading everything she could get her hands on and by writing to different groups who dealt with recovery.

Kathy, the hooking up with the old boyfriend thing was no doubt what took her out. When I was in treatment they told me the men were the worst drugs for me lol. I hope your sister does ok eventually

Mary, I'd have to say although we still go thru the occasional struggle from time to time, my guy's recovery while incarcerated has been mostly a success... and most definitely a success compared to the mess he was before he went to prison. He's been thru just about every available substance abuse treatment program there is within that state and has continued on with AA and also with other, non-addiction-related, programs that have helped him along his way. His crime that got him incarcerated wasn't over drugs but it was certainly his addictions that landed him in the position he was in to commit the crime, so that was the most serious of all bottoming out... since then and since his first major attempt at getting well, there's been longer and longer periods of clean time with fewer and fewer slips as time went on. It hasn't all been perfect, but he's done a great job and he's built a real good foundation of recovery while inside that will hopefully carry him into a good life on the outside too. It can be done! I hope it will work for your friend too, sounds like he's got a good start!!! :)

Thanks Lysbeth, that is a very encouraging story! My guy does seem very focused and determined this time. I say a prayer every night for him and for all of them inside who are trying to make better lives for themselves.

I wish all of you well! Remember that recovery is one day at a time (sometimes one minute at a time). Also remember that relapse is a part of recovery. It doesn't mean that the person has failed. No one is perfect and no one can expect perfection. It is how the recovering addict or alcoholic chooses to respond to his "slip" that makes the difference. If he uses it as an excuse to continue his abuse he will continue down the path to self destruction. If he chooses to use it as a learning tool he will continue to work on his recovery and become stronger. The choice is up to him (or her), but you can be supportive and even directive when necessary. Support groups are essential to recovery. It is damned near impossible to do alone (I know, I know, there are folks out there that have but they are few and far between). If the person who is in recovery doesn't find a group or a sponsor that he or she is comfortable with don't give up. Keep looking! There are about a trillion of them out there. Just so you know I'm not talking off the top of my head (or being holier than thou) I can say all of this from experience and from a professional outlook. I grew up in an alcoholic family (dad was a drinker), I married an alcoholic/addict (now in recovery), and I am now a substance abuse counselor in the Texas prison system. And so as we say in AA and Al-Anon, keep coming back it works.

I just got out of a program called PRIME FOR LIFE with material from the "Prevention Research Inst." in Kentucky. It's a very powerful presentation of scientific evidence, without all the moral language that burdens so many of us so much when we start dealing with our actions. Has anyone heard of (or experienced) this program, especially on the inside? I think it could change lives. Best to all --R

Hi Ralph! Glad to hear from you. No I had not heard about PRIME FOR LIFE. Can you share some of what you learned. I will also research it. I'm always looking for new things to use in my treatment methods. Because out program is so much shorter than it was before I am always looking for ways to get my guys motivated faster and to help them learn effective ways to prevent relapse and cope with the stresses that my trigger relapse. I think that there is not enough emphasis put on the later in most programs. Thanks for posting. ;)

Sure, CJ. The program consists of a book (w/scienific info and worksheets), some video, and a leader, and there's a 12-hr version and a 48-hr version, the latter being different mainly in the additional use of small-group sessions and time with the worksheets (caled "activities"). For me the best part was the heavy reliance on research evidence, like the greater probability of alcoholism in a child of 2 alc parents as opp to one parent, as opp to non-alc parents. Stuff we all know deep down but reserve the reight to deny until we see the figures, you know? I knew at 25 I had it, had a great 10 yrs in AA, went out for 5 years of Absolute Hell, and now am back, re-learning the hard way what I'd known before I'd done much harm to myself or family. BTW the Prime For Life program is tailored to alc-related DWI offenders, and might need some adapting before being applicable to a broader target audience. But maybe the institute that runs it has different versions. Best wishes, Ralph

I've been to all kinds of treatment centers, but not like the one I was a resident of within the correctional system in Kailua, Hawaii. Very intense program that was designed to change my life. At times it was tough, but for the most part it gave me back a life that I never dreamed I could have. Today I have been clean for exactly 5 years and 3 months. It was'nt only my drinking and using that I had to stop, I had to change just about everything in my life. My best thinking got me incarcerated. Today, I'm a better thinker, listener, friend, mother, daughter and sister. And I'm not afraid anymore of myself, or anyone else. My life is definately better. From time to time, I get thoughts of using and drinking, but today I know what I have to do to take the obsession away. Call my sponsor, and get to a meeting anywhere. Keep coming back, it works if you work it, and it's working right now.
Aloha Kaleilehua