My experience at Searidge has been phenomenal. The support here, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Everyone is so caring. I’ve learned stuff I never could have imagined learning before. Things I never knew before. I thought I knew everything—but I didn’t.

What I like about Searidge, is that they find the roots of your addiction and that’s what you work on. You’re not just working on “Okay you have a problem, here’s how to fix it”. They dig deep into what you need, and that is very valuable.

My addiction was opiates, I was a needle addict. I did conquer that at Searidge two years ago, and I came back to get off Suboxone, the opiate treatment program that I was on. I was very afraid of the unknown. People in my life were telling me things, that it is was going to be very, very hard to come off of Suboxone after being on it for two years. But once I got here, all the support systems and care that is here, I was out of it within seven days. My head is so much clearer now. I really did not think that I would ever get to this position in my life. I thought that I was stuck in an opiate place forever. But no, I can see the end of my path now, and I really never thought that I would. It’s very exciting!

Anyone struggling with addiction right now, some advice that I would give them, take it day by day. Do not let people influence your recovery—that’s a major key part of recovery. You need to be focused on yourself.

For people who are terrified of withdrawal, because I totally was terrified, it was not that bad, at all. I’m a little tiny girl, who doesn’t seem to have much fight in her. I have no pain tolerance, I was always looking for that quick fix, looking for that quick fix. I would go 30 minutes, and need more. But now, 10 days off Suboxone, and I’ve never felt better. Get through the first week, and you’re well on your way. Just take it day by day. Drink water, go to the yoga classes, go the gym, go to the sauna. And here I am now. I’m clean. I never thought this would happen.

I’m here. Searidge has saved my life, literally, and I am just very grateful for that.