only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
One topic that I tend to write about more often than others is drug addiction. Twenty years ago, I would have laughed if you told me that my life and my family would be touched by addiction. After all, I was a good mother, actively involved in my kids’ lives. I stayed at home with them and did all the things that “good” mothers do. And yet, it didn’t matter. Addiction is like that.
The one thing I will be always grateful for is the rehab center where my son found recovery. While many of the addicts that go through the program relapsed, my son has remained clean for four years. It really isn’t about that particular rehab program; it’s about the addicts desire to get clean. I couldn’t make my son want to stop using; the people at the rehab center couldn’t force my son to accept what they were telling him. He had to make the choice himself. Nevertheless, I know that had he not gone into rehab, my son would have kept using until he was dead.
I really love telling you all about various rehab centers around the country. It’s amazing how many are out there that get virtually no attention at all. Those who need the services most never know where to turn. Parents and spouses run into so many brick walls when trying to find long term drug rehab so when I learn of one that looks promising, I mention it here. If it helps just one person, that’s good enough for me.
Gatehouse Academy has locations in Arizona, New York and Ontario. The Wickenburg, Arizona clinic is located in a ranch like setting while the Sarasota New York facility is surrounded by pastures and embraces strong, positive values. The Thunder Bay, Ontario clinic is located in one of Canada’s sunniest spots with beautiful mountains surrounding the Slate River Valley.
What really caught my eye at the website, though, was the promotion of a book, Underbelly; The Palm Beach No One Talks About, written and photographed by the father of a Gatehouse Academy graduate. After reading a little about the book and the author, I clicked over to the Underbelly website to read more.
I’m going to be checking my library for this book. If I can’t find it there and I end up buying it, I think I may donate it to the library after reading it. My thoughts about Palm Beach are no different than author David Geliebter suggests most people have. I just never realized there was a poverty stricken, addicted side to the posh facade that we all know. This looks to be such an interesting read.
If you care about drug abuse and those afflicted with the disease, if you know someone struggling now, please take a look at this site. There is quite a bit of excellent information there. In fact, there’s so much to read at the Gatehouse Academy site that I plan to read through the site more thoroughly and post about it again. If you notice something there that interests you, please let me know so I can look it over, too.
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My 20 year old son has been at Gatehouse in Wickenburg since Dec 2007. I’m missing him so much and don’t know that much about the program at Gatehouse other than the little information I got when I dropped him off. I guess I’m just desperate to talk to someone else whose son went there – particularly since you mentioned that your son is still clean and sober after 4 years! That is awesome. Our son has been to several other treatment centers around the U.S. most of which I had heard a lot about before choosing them. However, he apparently was not ready and/or willing enough to maintain his sobriety as he always “went back out” even when we thought he had really “gotten it”. Just wanting to know your thoughts about Gatehouse and what it offered that was special or unique. Thanks! Nancy J in Texas
Nancy, I apologize for not responding sooner. A nasty flu bug has gone through my family and we’re just now getting back to normal.
My son did not go to Gatehouse but he is still clean. I’ve learned that most rehab facilities are similar; the difference is whether or not the addict wants to change. My son did not want to get clean and into recovery when he entered rehab; he did want that after about 2 months.
One of the best parts of my son’s rehab was the family group counseling sessions that I attended three times each week. Besides allowing my son to see that I cared enough to be there, I learned more in those sessions than I ever imagined. I truly believe that families of addicts need treatment, too. I didn’t believe that before my son got help but I do now.
Please feel free to email me again any time. I’d be happy to help you find a Families Anonymous group in your area.