"Drug addiction, mental health issues"

I have been involved with lives lived well day rehabilitation program for about fifteen months now. I feel no words can justify the service that they offer. I say this without a doubt in my mind that this program has changed my life, also saved my life from the self destruction of addiction and mental health issues. 

The skills that I have learned here have given me an understanding of addiction and mental health that I never had before, these are skills and ways of dealing with emotional stress that I am now implementing into my daily life that help me to understand myself and answer the questions I have had for year. Learning grounding techniques like meditation, this has opened up my way of dealing with life’s everyday problems in a more calm manner instead of reaching out for substance abuse to deal with things. Cognitive behavioural therapy skills that help me to re-evaluate the way I handle things and if they match my values and beliefs, this is helping me in the early stages of recovery almost on a daily basis and will be something I will implement in my life forever. 

Skills we all need to become better versions of ourselves, the positivity and support that is reinforced there every day of the program has helped me understand my worth again and believe in myself that I’m more than a drug addict and I do hold value, I can and will get on top of the addiction! This is priceless to me. I believe we need this service here in Mackay so much, I feel the drug and alcohol addiction here is out of control and in my opinion this service is helping change lives for the better to put people back together again and back into a functioning life. 

I, myself, will be doing a couple more rounds to stay connected for one and just keep the learning new skills, also to refresh any skills I have already to reinforce them strongly.

The environment that the program is presented in is very light, fresh and welcoming, with friendly faces to greet you every single time. Another part of the service that is very positive is the breakfast and lunch that is provided. I feel this is an awesome service as most addicts coming out of addiction don’t have enough money to eat a healthy diet and as we now know from doing this program, that healthy eating, especially coming out of addiction, is so important.

There are other things that I really got a lot out of. Simple things like doing a vision board was something that I didn’t think I would enjoy, but found it was fun and also a good life tool to have that vision of what we want to achieve in front of you each day. I now have vision board in my home. So many things I have learned about addiction and our dopamine levels in our brain and the fact that we don’t want the drug we want the dopamine, a feel good chemical in our brain. To understand the addiction is so powerful for me personally because I have tried many times without the help that this program provides and I have lapsed and relapsed and this has cost me so much, my Marriage and almost my life. I have been to prison all because of this addiction I have, and I don’t want it anymore. 

In my opinion, the staff the facility the program are second to none. Terrie Lea, Olivia, Jess, and Megan, I have had the most interaction with and I can’t talk highly enough of them. I feel they really put their heart and souls into this program and have a real passion for helping people. I feel they all go above and beyond their job roles and I don’t think they get the recognition in the community that they deserve. You see, most of us coming to this place are shunned by most of society, so to be shown respect,  kindness and understanding in a supporting environment is something that we don’t even show ourselves most of the time. Our spirit is broken, our self belief is torn apart, but they always have time for each and every one of us, they make time to get to know us so us they can support us in the right areas.

We go to do normal things as part of the program which shows us that life can be enjoyable without drugs or alcohol, we go to chances cafe to support the local non for profit business that employs young men and women struggling in life and the profits go towards helping the homeless. So in a way we also see that we are not alone.

You see, I believe every little activity we do there at this place has some kind of teaching to it. Like I said the value in this is priceless. I have seen hardened men come because of parole condition, and at first they may have been just ticking the box but by the end I believe you could see the change in them, I felt they were learning about themselves and gaining the skills to turn their lives around and become someone society could respect.

Look, I could go on all day about the benefits of this program and the amazing people that run it. I hope that if you read this and you need help or you know anyone that needs help please contact them.

Sincerely, flutekj47