The Rushford Center

Meriden, Connecticut | See other Connecticut rehab reviews

883 Paddock Avenue
Meriden, Connecticut 06450

Interview from Laura
Are you male or female?
Laura: Female

How old were you when you attended this facility?
Laura: 30

Describe your addiction:
Laura: I started using marijuana at the age a teenager. My mother also died when I was a teenager. I was shipped off to live aunt who lived in another state my senior year of high school, and it wasn't easy making friends. I fell in with the wrong crowd where I started drinking and smoking weed almost daily with them. A few of them were into xtasy, coke and other pills, and they introduced me to a whole new "high." I was at the point where I would do anything to get drugs and/or alcohol. Soon, my extended family asked to me leave because of the person I had become. While on drugs I attempted suicide twice, and ended up in the mental health unit at my local hospital. Once I got out, I was ok for awhile, but things started to spiral out of control quickly, again. I moved again, and my new roommate introduced to meth, and that almost destroyed me. After the 3rd time I got arrested and I got a DUI, the judge told me either it was rehab, or jail, and I chose rehab. After my initial 30 days were over, they asked me if I wanted to continue treatment, and I chose to stay, fearful of not being strong enough yet to deal with life on the outside. They offered an in-patient program, where I ended up staying there for a total of 6 months, and it changed my life. I met my husband in rehab. We are now divorced, but I didn't fall apart or start using again when things went south. Instead I used the skills I learned from my counselor that I learned while in rehab, and maintained my sobriety, became a business owner and a upstanding member of society. Just typing all that, and remembering how far I have come made me cry. It's been a long road, but I feel like there's nothing I can't do as long as I stay sober. I now help others with their addiction by telling them a little bit about myself and what I went through. And I tell them to just take it one moment, not even one day at a time, because that's all any of us has.

Why did you choose to go to rehab?
Laura: My life was completely out of control. I was stealing, writing bad checks and got caught vandalizing property while super high on drugs, and the judge finally told me it was either jail or rehab, and jailed scared me to death.

Why did you choose this facility?
Laura: Court-ordered, I really didn't have a choice as to where I went.

How long were you in this rehab facility? Inpatient or outpatient?
Laura: 6 months, in-patient.

What is this facility's approach to the treatment process?
Laura: If you show up and you've been using, they have an area that you are on watch where a medical team can make sure you don't have seizures or worse while you are detoxing. Once admitted and moved to another floor, you met with your counselor on a pretty regular basis, daily if needed because someone was always there if you needed to talk to someone aside from your designated counselor which was awesome because sometimes no matter what time it is, you have crazy thoughts. There were one-on-one and group therapy sessions because they thought it was important and helpful to hear others' stories, which it did because I thought my life sucked until I heard about what some others had been through, and suddenly my life didn't look so bad (and it was really bad). We met for AA everyday, had group 5 times a week, and sometimes impromptu meetings if there was something that needed to be discussed

What do you think this rehab facility does well?
Laura: All of the counselors were once drug addicts and/or alcoholics, so they really understand the struggle because most of them not only have horrific stories, but they have also been through rehab, so they really understand where we are coming from. And they never looked at us like we were garbage, but had empathy instead. They can relate, and that mean more than just somebody with a piece of paper on the wall.

What could this facility do better?
Laura: I don't have anything negative to say. The place is on beautiful grounds, caters to your needs, and it felt like more of a country club than those scary rehab places you see on TV. The staff were friendly, never looked down on us, and always showed even the most down and out person puking respect.

Overall do you feel your treatment here was successful or not?
Laura: It was; I have been sober for over 5 years, have gone through many ups and downs, and not once have I turn to a joint, pills or powders to help me handle like. I still have days where I think about drugs and alcohol, but I have too much to loose, and I have a great life, and the love and trust of my family and friends to ever throw that away because I want to get high. I was showed that there are other ways to handle the blows that life sometimes throws at you, and it's not with drugs or in a bottle of vodka.

Did you relapse after treatment?
Laura: No. I am clean and sober, :) Advice - you're human, and it happens. You just don't have to make a decision to stay that way. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and begin again. You're human, and life can be difficult sometimes, but don't give up on yourself. There is always at least one person that will be there for you to help you, if you choose to help yourself first. I know people who have relapsed, after YEARS of sobriety. It can happen to anyone.

Would you recommend this facility to a friend or a family member?
Laura: In a heartbeat. This is the only rehab I have been too, so I can't speak for other places, but as far as care and aftercare goes, this place was great in aiding to my recovery.

What general advice would you give to somebody dealing with addiction?
Laura: You are worth it. You can overcome your disease, just give yourself a break, no more pity parties, get to a meeting where you can find strength in numbers, and if need be, get your butt to rehab. Your life has meaning, and it's never too late to start again. You just have to make that first step. The rest will come.

Have you been to any other rehab facilities?
Laura: n/a, only went to one.