"Going into rehab at 48"

After the passing of my sister I felt like I had lost a peice of myself. I didn't want to think about it and that's when my drinking starting to get out of control. I was drinking 5 ltrs a day to forget, I didn't get out of bed I didn't shower and my kids were starting to suffer. I then found out I had scaring on my liver, and a long history of liver related deaths in my family including my sister. I struggled having to go out in public I would vomit and feel so sick until I got back home into bed.

I knew I needed help I looked up rehabs in my area and called Wyla in Orange. I was contacted straight back by Tracy and honestly I don't remember a lot about our conversation except I had to cut back on my drinking to be able to detox there. Two weeks later I was on my way. Leaving my kids was so hard but I knew they were in good hands with my other sister I had no idea what I was in for, but I was met  out the front by Tracy and I felt at home straight away all the staff were kind and the other clients lovely. I spent the first week fairly much in the lovely well maintained clean room detoxing and the next 6 weeks is where the magic happened. We were woken up at 7am time to have breakfast showers etc and they have virtues at 8am. Each day brought a new card full of new meaning to words I never realised. Each day was well thought out and we had a great routine that I believe was imperitive to our recovery. All the staff were so amazing they were not just there to get paid you could tell that they wanted to be there and were all really and able to help out in any way they could.

A week before my departure day I started to feel scared what if I went back to drinking, keeping it all to myself as I didn't want anyone to think I wasn't sure but one of the staff pulled me aside and asked what was wrong I said I was OK but she said that she knew I wasn't right because of my smile we talked for a good 40 mins and I came out so glad she picked up on it as it's normal to feel that way.  My case worker was a lovely man named Fank he is very tall has a pony and beard and rides a bike, but is the most kindest and caring men I've ever met he would just look at me when I was having a sad day missing my kids or just down and say come on take me aside work out what was wrong and I would walk away happy as.

All the staff go above and beyond. It's not a rehab it's a place that teaches you to live it's a family it truly is. Wyla is surrounded by bush and every morning we go out and see the kangaroos and cookatoos and just got back to the simple things we have so long not taken the time to enjoy. I do remember 1 thing Tracy said to be before I went in it was you need to take this time for your self this is all about you you need to be selfish I didn't understand that at first I was so full of guilt but now that I'm home with all my tools for when I get the urge to drink im confident I will be OK. I am going to finish my cert 3 in community service because I now know I have what it takes to help other people I know that as hard as my journey has been and will always be now but I know it was for a reason. I would highly recommend the program I just wish you could see my before and after photos..