“I was 39 years old and going through what some would call a
‘mid-life crisis’.
Separated from my husband of 15 years, engaged again, a single mom
and an artist struggling to figure out finances and find myself… I
turned HARD to the bottle to help me escape the realities of life.
I was a workaholic. An over achiever. Someone who never said “no”
and took on way more than I could possibly handle. I liked to
“fix” people without realizing I needed fixing too. I moved
through life like a force, never letting anything stop me.
Until I got a DUI and almost had my daughter taken away from me.
Well that was that. I had hit my version of rock bottom and due to
several family, friends and police interventions, wound up finding
Trafalgar Residence. Despite my family wanting me to be closer to
them, I went to visit Trafalgar and knew the second I drove down
the driveway that this was the place for me.
I had researched several rehabilitation facilities, but the cold,
concrete jungle and big city views I was seeing online made me
cringe. I wanted to go to a place I could TRULY rehabilitate. I
wanted trees. Fresh air. Quiet. Greenery. Peacefulness. Healthy
food choices and exercise. And that’s what Trafalgar offered.
Even though I knew everyone around me was concerned, this was
going to be on MY terms. I was going to re-gain control of MY
life. I registered and paid for
the cost of the rehab all by
myself… And it is not cheap. But? A better investment than the
thousands I was pouring into the LCBO and it was proof of my
commitment to MYSELF to get better. I stayed at Trafalgar for the
30-day program and quite frankly (apart from the being away from
my daughter and fiancé) could have moved in.
My therapist, Jody, was the perfect match for me. We really
connected on a human level, and she made me understand that my
addiction wasn’t like some people’s… I didn’t experience trauma
and then addiction, my addiction created trauma. She met with my
daughter and I in a family session and helped her feel comfortable
with mommy’s new journey.
It was a beautiful setting, actually. The three of us sat out in
the gazebo, and my daughter was free to get up and walk around or
play with a ball when she felt uncomfortable. She opened up to
Jody without being forced to say anything at all and wound up
leaving me with some very impactful things my heart will always
remember.
The staff all treated me with respect and they really do look at
you on a case-by-case situation when it comes to the liberties you
have there. Granted, there are blanket rules put in place for a
reason, but I guarantee you… Whatever effort and energy you put in
– you will get out.
I never pictured my life sober… I always thought I’d just cool it
for a while and then go back to drinking socially, but I know more
about my capabilities now.
I had a few months of follow up conversations with Frank which
were nice. We chatted life and any triggers or struggles I may
have been encountering. I had a lot going on between custody and
financial battles with my ex, CAS involvement, moving/selling my
house, starting school, back pain… He made sure I stayed on the
right track.
I’m 7 months sober, back in school and working on a new career to
provide for myself and my daughter. I definitely have hard days,
but ultimately, have been given the tools to stay strong through
it all.
I wish everyone had the opportunity to take 30 days out of life to
focus on themselves and re-evaluate their life priorities. I don’t
look at my time at Trafalgar as being in ‘rehab’… I look at it as
a ‘self-discovery retreat’. I have found my love for myself and
passion for life again without a vice. (Well… Coffee. Maybe coffee
is my new vice!)”
