Testimonial of Mr R S.

The rules and regulations are there for us and we need those to keep us safe in our recovery. There’s a lot of written work which is hard as some of the work hits you like a ton of bricks concerning the people that were affected by your abuse of drink and drugs. Gradually you learn that you’re a problem not a victim. The victims are the ones you left behind in your trail of havoc and destruction from family and friends to employers and people that have tried to help you. Ravenscourt is a journey of recovery and discovery, we’re also taught that unless we can accept that we’re powerless and our lives are unmanageable, there is little hope for recovery. You’re also encouraged to forge relationships with your peers which is another key to trust people, something I had never done in my whole life. I look at myself today and know I am a better person in my recovery, I put others first, I don’t think the way I used to, I’m more tolerant and concerned about my well-being, I have friends and the riches of recovery and endless.

I never thought I could sleep at night without a drink or a hit, it’s the best sleep I’ve ever had. I’ve been clean 10 months now. I’m going back to school to learn Spanish, I’m learning to play the guitar; my life had done a full circle. I was a pessimist when I first entered Ravenscourt, I’m now an optimist, my train of thought is solid; on entry to Ravenscourt it was in tatters. They turned me into a better person, I now have morals and concern for others as opposed to thinking about only myself. I had to hit rock bottom to be where I am today. Ravenscourt has done for me what I couldn’t do for myself, they drummed it into me one day at a time and it really works, you look too far ahead and the mind becomes misty and it’s not just for today anymore. If you don’t want recovery it’s no good getting into the program, if you want it you have to live it.

There are softer options than Ravenscourt but for me it had to be strict, it had to be hard work and I can’t thank the team there enough for helping me be the person I am today. After your day in Ravenscourt, your chores done, your written work, your meetings, it really is nice to go to sleep at 10.30 because you’re wiped out. It’s hard graft but the results far outweigh the graft.’ All the best, Mr R S.