Celebrating 20 Years of Sobriety

My name is Brian. I now live in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. On April 19, 1987 I checked in to Charlie's Place, when Detox was located next the old Courthouse Building in downtown Corpus Christi. Thanks to your program I've just celebrated my 20th year of being clean and sober.

When I was in the program, I was told that only two percent remain clean and sober for life. The few people that I have seen since I left Charlie's, that were there when I was, have been using again. I am proud to be in that two percent.

I found that my God and Higher Power is my conscience. If at any time have second thoughts about doing anything, I don't. Friends don't just come by or call at the perfect time to intervene in a bad decision making moment, but your conscience is always there. It may only speak to you one time when you're contemplating the making of a regrettable decision, so you have to listen. I always thought about it later, and said to myself, "Why didn't I listen? I didn't want to do this."

I never had read a paperback book cover to cover in my life when I showed up at your doorstep. My mother brought me a copy of Outcry in the Barrio by Freddie Garcia, and by page three it caught my attention, and I couldn't stop til I was done. I suggest it to any person thinking of trying to make a clean start in life.

Thanks for the start to a new life, the road I was traveling would have taken me to one of a few places, none of which were pleasant. So I hope that Charlie's Place never closes its doors to the many people out there that need your help and support. And if only two percent make it, from the thousands that have passed through your doors, you're making a difference that matters.

Thanks Again,

Brian

Regaining His Dignity and Dreams

I arrived at Charlie’s Place on December 18, 2006. I had only one bag to my name. I had very little hope, just enough to get myself somewhere for help. My dreams had failed and I had no self-respect or self-worth. I was filled with shame, guilt and fear. Fear of myself, society, and life in general.

I started out in Detox at Charlie’s Place as I was physically addicted to alcohol. The process was slow but effective and was what I needed to transition over to Intensive Residential Treatment. There I learned about 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and lived in a structured environment with rules and guidelines, which is exactly what I needed. I had no structure in my life at that time. All that was asked of me was to follow these rules, which I did because I needed a complete change of my attitudes, behaviors and actions.

Charlie’s Place has given me the wonderful opportunity to further my recovery as I moved through the levels of treatment, still in a structured and safe environment. I am now currently employed at a very reputable company, have a couple more bags of belongings which I bought with money I earned myself. I have money in the bank and have started cleaning up some of the messes I created while I was drinking.

Many of the staff at Charlie’s Place -- in the kitchen, detox, maintenance, techs, and even some of the counselors and administrative people -- are also in recovery. What could be better than to have this group of remarkable recovering people guide someone like me into a new way of life, clean and sober. I have my dignity, self-worth, hope, dreams, and my Faith back.

Charlie’s Place has all this to offer anybody suffering from addiction. It’s entirely up to the individual, if he or she chooses to utilize what this God-sent facility has to offer.

God Bless,

David T. (10 ½ months clean & sober)

Finding the Will to Be Free of Drugs

For the past 40 years I have been a slave to drugs, mostly heroin. This was the only way of life I knew. Selfish, all I did was think about my addiction and do whatever I needed to do to get my drugs. I tried so many ways of stopping but never surrendered totally.

In February of 2005 I ended up in Charlie’s Place, a 51-year-old man who did not know how to live without drugs. I needed to change my behavior and learn to live with a plan that would give me hope and the will to live without drugs. I’ve tried it my way for 40 years and it never worked.

I stopped doing it my way when I went into Charlie’s Place, from day one in detox. I made a decision to change my will and my ways. I listened and followed directions. I attended all my classes and went to all my 12-step meetings. I got a job, and I’m still working at the same job for almost three years now.

I’m so grateful to all the staff at Charlie’s Place for freeing me from my addiction and giving me the will to be part of life without drugs. Thank you all for my new life.

A grateful addict,

Luis T.