| Testimonials for The Beachcomber
Treatment Center |
A Poem of Gratitude
By J. L.
I came to this place
With fear in my heart.
I was lost at sea
A ship in the dark.
My feelings were numb
My back was broken.
I wanted to stop,
My mind was open.
After a while,
I came to believe
That a Power above,
Could put me at ease.
I prayed and I prayed
And I listened and learned.
Some amazing things happened
I worked and I earned.
I sit here now,
Some peace in my heart.
I thank the Beachcomber,
For the wonderful start. |
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"All the lectures and reading assignments seemed to fit me and my life. They were helpful for me to see myself in ways I never saw myself before. Some of the things I've learned allow me to deal with anxiety and what causes it. I've learned about Spiritual Awakening and how important communication is with other people!"
M. T. |
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"The assignments have been of great help to me. Staff members were accessible to me at all times and listened with care and concern. I really appreciated the different styles of the therapists because they offered me different points of view. I discovered that I am a good and loveable person. I also learned how to correctly identify problems before I try to solve them. I learned I can both lead and follow. " C. G. |
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"I gained the ability to know there is a way to stay sober and live a good life just by following simple directions. "
G. S. |
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| "I got something out of everything we did. Although I got things out of the videos the lectures allowed me to work through the things I needed. The reading assignments were helpful because this was all new to me. When I arrived I didn't expect anything to happen. The program opened my eyes to things I needed to learn. It changed my life for the better, forever! I learned my addiction was just a symptom of my problems. I needed to learn how to deal with feelings. I want to stay sober one day at a time. " K. G. |
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"I've learned an incredible amount about my disease and the recovery process. Most important, I've learned to love myself and develop a relationship with a Higher Power. I also learned how to interact with others at an honest emotional level. " E. R. |
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| "Counselors give you first hand, accurate experience in recovery and relapse. Videos give you in depth educational background on drugs and related topics. The Beachcomber helped me understand my addiction. How to handle my addiction and how to follow directions. I also learned how to treat myself and others and how to avoid relapse. " T. K. |
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| "I felt the therapists were right on target with me. I gained a deep sense of relief about stuff I've been holding onto for many years. I felt reunited with God after loosing my faith. Now I have a better sense of who and what I am. " R. E. |
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"I liked the lectures because we could ask questions and get feedback from others. The required reading was not complicated or threatening. I had an experience with my Higher Power while at The Beachcomber. I am a different and better person now than when I arrived here. I am anxious to get to working the Step Program. " R. F. |
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"I got a lot out of both the lectures and the reading. Each assignment was directed toward areas I needed to understand. They also forced me to keep in the middle of the program rather than hanging around the outside. I gained a new outlook on life, how to function as a good person and how to understand others. " W. K. |
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| "I felt the therapists were right on target with me. I gained a deep sense of relief about stuff I've been holding onto for many years. I felt reunited with God after loosing my faith. Now I have a better sense of who and what I am. " R. E. |
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| "The videos provided valuable psychological information and although much of the reading was not directly specific to me I learned a lot and got something out of all of it. I gained a high degree of knowledge about my disease, learned the tools I must use and have started routines to get a good start on recovery. During the extra week I stayed I concentrated on helping others and I got a lot out of it!" K. E. |
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"I believe I retained the most from live lectures but the reading assignments also taught me a lot. I gained much information about alcoholism but more importantly I came to know myself better. I am very pleased with The Beachcomber and its helped me in many, many ways. I believe I'll now be able to handle problems in my life as they arise. I think I have also learned the importance of working the 12-Steps of A. A. " E. K. |
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| "I felt this was one of the best experiences I've ever had. I truly believe the staff cares about each of us, our recovery and respond to our individual needs. I gained in assertiveness techniques, understanding of my issues and a much more healthy perspective on myself. I found the morning meditation really helped me identify feelings, fears and made me more receptive to learning all during the day. " K. B. |
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"I wish everyone in my family could have been involved more in the Beachcomber program. It has helped me get a balance back into my life and connect with others who are like me and need AA I've learned how to sleep again at night, wake up in the morning and eat three normal meals. I've also learned to have time for myself to read and reflect. I learned to laugh again and enjoy simple fun. " D. V. |
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| "During my 29-day stay I learned more about myself than I've ever known. I learned what it means to have a "fellowship network" of new friends in recovery. My discussions with therapists were exactly what I needed and the time to evaluate my life without depending on a chemical substances has given me the courage to live a sober life. " K. S. |
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| "I came here very apprehensive I would not make it back from the dark place I was in but learned many others shared those feelings. I found I was not alone and much of the work I've done here on myself has made me stronger and more focused. I know a peace I didn't ever have before. I learned if I am to get well I must put all my efforts into the recovery program I've been given here. " M. S. |
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| "Everyone on the staff at the Beachcomber: cooks, maintenance crew, secretaries and therapists show they are well trained, qualified and truly caring. I was shown how my relapse started over two years before I used any mood altering substances. Now I can evaluate thinking and stay in touch with my feelings. I'll work the AA program!" C. M. |
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| "What did I learn at the Beachcomber? I am part of a fellowship and feel a sense of belonging. I learned to slow down and take it easy. How to talk to a Higher Power. I've learned to keep things simple and live one day at a time. I've learned to dump the past and not fear the future. I am somebody!" S. C. H. |
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| "Now I have all the tools I need to stay sober. I've gained self-confidence, self-esteem, a new spiritual appreciation and how to address both problems and feelings!" J. B. |
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| "I've gained self-respect and self-worth and added the tools I need to work toward recovery. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me to stay clean and sober but I believe the Beachcomber program and its staff have made it possible for me to look at things differently and express my feelings. " S. D. |
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| "I'm beginning to understand my anger and let go of the many resentments built up over the years that kept me in addiction. I think it will take a long period of retraining but I think the Beachcomber has given me the information and tools I need to begin a new and sober life. " M. R. |
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"The Beachcomber has taught me life changing experiences and who I am. I've learned to have feelings and express them openly. I've now met myself and I'm not afraid to express who I am and what I'm about. "
R. P. |
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| "Group meetings benefited me the most. I have gained hope here at the Beachcomber and I want to choose life now that I've found the knowledge of what I need to do to stay sober. I've never been happy before like I have been here. " D. W. |
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| "Through working with Beachcomber therapists I have been able to identify many deep lying problems. Left unchecked they might have led to relapse later. I have learned to believe I am a good person. I must set the past aside and go forward with my program and my new life of sobriety. " K. A. |
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"Not only did I accept alcoholism for the first time but I also learned of the recovery process. I was completely blind when it came to the subject and refused to acknowledge what I was up against. I also learned about the importance of spirituality and how it can make the big difference in living a sober life. "
L. K. |
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| "I gained something beneficial from everything I experienced at the Beachcomber. Every lecture and assignment helped me gain insights into myself and my relationships with my loved ones. My desire to drink has been taken away and been replaced with an inner strength and inner peace. I will be working my AA program and have already found a sponsor in my home town. " C. B. |
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| "The program was excellent. I gained stability and was lead to hope again. They restarted the program I had tried before and helped me build a stronger foundation. Now I am convinced this is a disease and not some sort of character weakness. Thanks for giving me a life!" J. S. |
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| "I learned very much from the reading assignments and lectures. They were tailor made for my particular neurosis and stumbling blocks. I am working on developing serenity and forgiveness of self so I can further absorb all that's been shown to me. I look forward to enjoying a future sober life. " T. M. |
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| "First and foremost I gained sober time that I could not achieve on my own. Counselor's insights were extremely important. I also learned to pray and use the Serenity Prayer in accepting the things I cannot change. " R. S. |
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| "If it was information about my disease I learned all I could. Reading from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped me get in touch with myself and learn the signs of my disease. I came to realize I can enjoy life without use of drugs and I am worthy of living a clean and sober life in recovery. " S. S. |
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