15 Days in Durango, CO For Addiction Treatment
My Success Story

Dear Friends and Family,
Tonight is my last night in Durango. I came to Durango for a 10 day outpatient rehab program. My consumption of alcohol had gotten to the problematic level and was compounded by years of dependency on Ambien to sleep and anti-depressants to help get me through the day.

My blood sugar was elevated, and my fibromyalgia pain constant. I was anxious, depressed, angry, and sleep-deprived. My relationships, both at work and at home were suffering. I had been researching treatment options, both in and out-patient.  My girlfriend told me about a program that uses a holistic approach to addiction.

The clinic I chose (NORA), does a 10 day amino acid IV addiction therapy program which uses IV amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants infusions to flush toxins from the system and restore proper functioning of neuro transmitters. Usually by day 3 all cravings for the addictive substance is gone.

The program also includes acupuncture treatments, massage and daily counseling sessions to help the addict get to the root of their core issues; the reasons why they drink or do drugs. And the final day focuses on aftercare. A nutrition class helps you understand the importance of eating well, and how to structure your diet to help minimize cellular damage and avoid health problems, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. And there's counseling to make sure we had tools to help us remain strong in our resolve to stay mentally healthy, and discussions to ensure that we had a plan of action when we returned home (counseling, AA, etc.).

The costumes and entertainment were fantastic and fun!

The program has been good for me. I have not been tempted to drink, even though I attended a Downtown Open Gallery Night where all the galleries were pouring free wine on my 4th night here; followed the next afternoon by a great beer and bike festival where most everyone was drinking beer and being outrageous on a glorious hot afternoon.

I love this town! Everyone is so friendly and helpful, from trolley drivers, to college students, to grocery clerks. It is a healthy outdoor culture; bikes everywhere. People ski in the winter and spend time on the river or hiking and biking during the rest of the year. I have taken the public transit everywhere and it is easy, often and on time. Plus the drivers play cool music and let people on even if they don’t have the fare.

My motel was perfectly situated 2 blks from the Clinic, Market, Post Office and Trolley Stop, and 3 blks from the River.

The Animas river flows through the center of town, and a bike trail follows alongside through a lovely park that runs all the way from one end of town to the historic old town.

I’ve made time to walk the whole river trail as well as well hike the 5 mile loop up Animas Mountain for awesome views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The trail starts right behind my motel.

I have enjoyed my stay here. Everyone at the clinic is so kind and genuinely concerned with the clients. The practitioners are all competent, and generous with their healing talents. The staff is friendly and casual, and puts needle phobic patients at ease with their humor and sensitivity.

I have experienced some quantum shifts in my mental attitude and felt some profound spiritual growth. I have been sober for 10 days and am feeling clear and calm about what it is I need to do to stay well. Steve, my counselor, makes it very easy – he says all you have to do is just show up and do the next right thing.

So, that’s what I will concentrate on; baby steps, one day at a time. I’m in a profoundly better state of mind than when I left to come here, and it feels good.

My Old Life Boat

To those of you who have had to suffer through my drunken phone calls, or listen to my despair and angst, I am sorry. And I am grateful for your words of support and love and offers of help. They have all helped to bring me to this place of healing.

I have changed boats for this part of my voyage.

I no longer need the ugly, beat up but strong and seaworthy vessel that brought me to Durango.  I have traded it in for a simpler model since I will be headed downstream now in gentler waters.

My New Life Boat

This one I think of as My Dream Boat. I intend to use this image as I get ready to sleep with the idea that it will take me on a nightly voyage of discovery.

Time to finish packing and get to bed. I want to be able to get up early tomorrow and enjoy one last leisurely morning before heading to the airport.

Namasté,
kt



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