"My life saving journey"

I was in active addiction for 4 years, but have been self medicating my trauma with more than just prescription pills and alcohol for my entire life. Logan house was my first rehab. Before my intake day, I walked into this beautiful bush property telling myself I don’t need to be here, I’ll do this for my family for 6 weeks and leave. I thought in completing the program, I could make up for the mistakes and pain I had caused my loved ones while in addiction. Still very much in denial, my first week was a blur.

Getting used to the regimented timetable of groups and routine wasn’t easy. I was only in week 2 when I realised, I needed to be there. Working with my treatment facilitator, staff and through groups, I realised I hadn’t been living for over 20 years. I needed to relearn even the basic skills of being an adult. Most importantly, I needed to learn how to control my emotions and thoughts because it was the mental self abuse that eventually led to me using. I became obsessed with the idea of not only being sober but learning how to take my life back.

In addiction, I had buried myself and lost my own self worth and identity. Over time I was able to try new things or get back to old things I had loved and forgotten. I swam everyday, as I had loved as a child, for 4 weeks straight. I found a love for tennis, I found my creativity and art again, this side to me I had lost for so long. I found a sense of peace within myself. I decided to stay for 12 weeks because I needed it. The biggest skill I learned was to accept my life, up until this point. I had ended up in rehab and that was more than okay! I was in a safe environment to ride the emotions in the process of acceptance. I learned that to change and grow, I had to accept myself and my trauma.

One of the after hours staff, with lived experience, supported me so much through this process. I came to realise this rehab was an opportunity, not life changing but actually life saving. Seeing many people come and go in my journey, it became apparent to me that the program was what I made of it. I could make the most out of the safe bubble, free from outside stresses of money, work, family and really take the time to fix myself. I could use the tools I was learning within groups to mould myself into a strong, sober, motivated person again. With the help of the supportive staff, community of strong, inspiring residents, a wonderful psychiatrist and a truely amazing treatment facilitator, I have found myself again. I have been absolutely blessed with this journey. I have the tools and the knowledge to continue life beyond rehab, in a sober and healthy way. I feel such a sense of self worth, I have mended the bridges I burned over and over in addiction. It’s still a work in progress, but I cannot believe the person I have become since being in Logan House.

I would recommend this program to anyone struggling with addiction and mental health, who are really looking for the support to change their life, for it has well and truely saved mine. For that I will forever be grateful! Thankyou to all the wonderful staff at Logan house! A special thank you to the after hours staff, who go above and beyond. And the most important thankyou has to go to my treatment facilitator Maddi. Thank you for all the support and compassion you have shown me. You are a superwoman!