Will I get into rehab or not?
This was all I was really asking myself before going to Arrow Health. I had a lot of time to think, I was in prison and the questions bounced around my head not allowing any other thoughts. The story of my road to recovery and rehab started while I was in Port Phillip Prison.
I was desperate – desperate to turn my life around – desperate to get out of prison and into a rehab facility where I could begin to turn things around. If I’m honest, my only expectations were that rehab had to be better then prison, right?
The first few days were a mixture of emotions. My mind was racing, and looking back I was all over the place – mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I needed help and I didn’t know where or how to start. All I knew is that I seemed to be in the right place – and I wasn’t in prison.
The staff was very present and emotionally there for me. They helped me through those first few days and supported me to get myself somewhat grounded. Something I hadn’t felt in a while.
I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that other people – other addicts – would be residing there at the rehab too. It’s obvious looking back, but at the time it wasn’t something I’d thought about. See the thing is… the other people are there for their own reasons and whichever way they have ended up there, they are all looking for something. They are all looking for a way out of a life that is unmanageable and intolerable. When you have a group of people searching for a similar thing it creates an amazing environment that is hard to describe. “Safe” is the most relevant word I can think of to describe it and that was definitely not something I felt when I was in prison.
The facilities at Arrow Health were great. I had my own room with a comfy bed and plenty of space, including a spacious bathroom with no hot water issues. The grounds are spacious with plenty of places to be able to get away and have some quiet alone time in nature – something I needed throughout my time there.
For me, change began to happen almost without me noticing. The staff members were well on to it and they were luckily one step ahead! They were ready for the bubbling emotions and questions that arise in early recovery. I’m forever grateful to them for their time and patience.
I am still on bail and need to appear before the courts again. I now have hope and trust that whatever happens, I have the tools to continue this life of recovery – whether it is in prison for a while or not.
If you or someone you know are in prison and need help to get into rehab, look at Arrow Health’s Forensic Services.