Graduation is not the end...

... it's the beginning!

As we settle into June, graduation season has been in full swing for about a month and a half now. At Community Counseling Center, it's no exception, as each month, individuals who have made a commitment to recovery receive their Certificate of Completion and graduate from their group or program. 

This is a momentous occasion, as many have struggled with addiction throughout much of their lives, and this commitment to living a healthier life is one to be celebrated. 

The words below were submitted by "Steve-O," who graduated from CCC today.

***

"Graduation Words of Encouragement"

As an addict in recovery I have been through a major life struggle. I have lived with my addiction. I had to force myself to realize the problem I had with drugs. Finally after 13 years of being addicted to crystal meth and at least 5 times in these program rooms, I have finally accepted offers of help and made it through a rehab program to get sober and learn how to stay sober, most importantly. 

* Being an addict in recover, your confidence is gonna be a little shaken, but remember that you have just given yourself a fresh start. You can now be or do whatever you want. There are tons of addicts finding success. Few people overcome an obstacle as big as addiction and that's what makes us special. Believe it or not, we have so much inspiration to give. What is greater than being able to help others through their own personal struggles by encouraging them with our own? 

* It's not so much the amount of time we have been sober, but what we have learned in that time!

* Each person has his or her own story when it comes to their addiction. It's usually determined as an addiction when we experience negative consequences -- like the inability to trust ourselves -- and despite those negative consequences, we still do it. Today I have regained my right for choice or trust. I have looked at most of my issues in my life and almost brought closure to most of them, so I no longer have to hide behind drugs. 

When I say I have dealt with most of my issues from the past, I'm not only talking about the things that I have said/done, or what has happened to me, been said to me  or done to me, but the issues from within, "trusting in myself." I have finally had a change of heart.

Steve-O

6/11/2015

Client Testimonial

Hello. My name is Christopher, 29 years of age. I am broken but not beyond repair. I can be fixed and I am fixing myself. I am a father of two gorgeous girls who have been robbed of their dad, not by death or the system, but by their daddy's own selfishness. They deserve me back, they will have me back, and that is what brought me to Community Counseling Center--not because I am forced to be here, but by choice--a choice I have made to break 17 years of addiction and over half a life spent chasing a poison that has ruined me and brought me pain and misery. A life I no longer want to live. A life I refuse to live.

I have been to CCC off and on since I was 18 and never succeeded at achieving sobriety, and today I see why. I never wanted to change. I was afraid of change, but that fear itself has changed to hope and determination of a normal sober life. I now come to CCC three days a week and look forward to it. I look forward to learning about my addiction and being with other recovering addicts helps me stay strong.

Today I stand strong with 56 days sober and look forward to a successful sober lifestyle with my daughters and my family who I almost destroyed with my selfish addiction. After all the hurt I have caused, I still have their love and support. I want to thank CCC for giving me wisdom, knowledge, hope, and courage to defeat this disease. Thank you for opening the door to a new life, a door I have chosen to walk through. But above all, I give credit to me for choosing sobriety over destruction.

Thank You CCC.

-Chris B.