The following interview was conducted with a GreeneStone Alumni who completed our 45-Day Residential Treatment Program in early 2019.
Q: Where was your life at before coming to GreeneStone?
A: It was a disaster, I couldn’t go on the way I was living, I was out of options. A friend of mine had been through the program (at GreeneStone) before. I needed something different, a new way of living. What I was doing to be clean on my own was not working
Q: Why did you choose GreeneStone?
A: I heard it was a lovely facility that had all of the amenities I needed with a beautiful scenery. It was a get-a-way from my fast-paced life in the city.
Q: What did you learn while you were at GreeneStone that helped you the most in early recovery?
A: I learned a lot, I learned that I had a disease, not a moral deficiency, I wasn’t aware of that. I learned that I was not the only person who was suffers from this, it (can be) hereditary. I learned many coping skills and tools and I learned that life can be beautiful.
Q: What made the biggest difference in your treatment?
A: I couldn’t go on the way I was living, I didn’t have a choice. I got involved with 12 step programming… it’s like a family now. The counsellors and supports were great but I had to be the one to do the work.
Q: How is GreeneStone a part of your recovery today?
A: I try to stay in touch, I keep in touch with the people I was here with (co-residents). I am very grateful for what they have done for me, I wouldn’t be clean otherwise.
Q: How long have you been in recovery for and what is most important to your recovery?
A: Three months and 17 days. I go to 12-step meetings everyday. I do service work within the 12-step community. I want to give back. I keep a busy schedule and I took my life back. I put my recovery first and take things day-by-day.
Q: If there anything else you would like to say about your experience at GreeneStone?
A: The counsellors are wonderful, I learned a lot of life lessons and how to live life without the use of drugs. I am very thankful for my experience and stay (at GreeneStone), I would recommend it to anyone who asked me.
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone interested in addiction treatment?
A: You get out what you put in, you have to put the hard work in to get success. Be proactive in your recovery. Get on the right path or you won’t get anything out of it.