I have been in-patient at Penn Foundation Recovery Center 2 times.  The first time was about 3 years ago, the second was about 6 months ago.

The first time I was here I paid no attention to anything anyone told me, because I knew it all.  They told me that addiction was a “disease”.  I thought that was a load of crap.  I could quit when I wanted to, I just never really wanted to.  I didn’t even want to quit while I was in rehab, I just went in that first time to get out of some trouble.

So then 3 years later I found myself living on people’s couches (if they would let me).  I even had to sleep in my car a few nights, but I was lucky I still had my car - I had lost everything else.

I was lucky enough to get back in to Penn Foundation Recovery Center.  It was interesting that a lot of the same staff people were there, they remembered me and welcomed me.  They asked me while I was going through the admission process “what is going to be different this time?” The biggest difference was me.  This time I knew that I didn’t know anything!

I felt like a new baby learning how to walk.  I listened to everything the staff had to say, and even looked to the “techs” for advice.  The Penn Foundation has a great program.  They even helped me find a place to live that was a clean and sober environment.  I couldn’t go back to my friends couches (not that I wanted to) but didn’t think there were other options.  I am currently living in a “Recovery House” that Penn Foundation helped me get in to.

The most important thing I could tell someone thinking about going into treatment is to please listen.  The staff only want to help.  Its like going to the doctor…  you don’t go to the doctor and tell him he’s full of crap for telling you that you are sick.  The staff are the same.  They are telling you how to get better, if you listen.