Hi my name is Madison and I’m a former client of Riverside clinic.
I’m writing this letter in the hope that you find insight and understanding of my time at the clinic and how it has affected me on my journey of recovery from drug addiction.
I am 23 years old and a former ice addict, , my story is a long one full of despair, self-loathing and crippling events that brought me to my knees many times.
I seemed to have reached a fork in the road either carry on digging at rock bottoms, jail time or keep putting myself in dangerous situations that no young female should have to face. I Chose Rehab. I was tired, I was scared and I was broken. Drugs had taken my life away from me, I was not me anymore.
I remember arriving at the sanctuary thinking where the hell am I? I had sussed out my location and exit strategies but what I didn’t realise was that I no longer had to run anymore. I felt safe, I felt protected and I had finally found somewhere that I could relax, unwind and start my detox from a steady lifespan of painful substance abuse.
I became comfortable not only with my peers who were also addicts in the early stages of recovery but the support workers, many of whom all had past personal experiences of addiction. I felt like someone finally understood me, for so long my parents and family had shamed me for the path I had chosen, like I had a choice whether or not I could stop using drugs. I worked really hard on myself at the Riverside clinic, I wanted change and was ready to start living a better life. I was encouraged every step of the way to recreate the best version of myself. It was hard but it was so worth it. I completed my stay at the Sanctuary and received ongoing support with my exit plan and reintegration back into society.
Today I can look in the mirror with pride and smile at the young woman staring back knowing that I kicked my drug addiction to the curb, I can hold my head high and with self-respect say I’m 17 months clean and I made it.
So with my heart filled with gratitude and passion I say to Riverside thank you for making me see that I can live a clean, sober and fulfilling life. I am one of the lucky ones and without your help my story may not have been so successful.
