Unfortunately, I couldn't stay sober and went down in spectacular flames. I ended up spending all my money on three more expensive rehabs. Still nada. Couldn't break the cycle of "Incomprehensible Demoralization" (phrase from the Big Book of AA). I did a two year stint of drinking a half of Gallon of Vodka a day, going to emergency rooms, psych wards, numerous suicide attempts...I was in a state o
f seemingly irrevocable despair. Finally, the last Doc at the psych ward made me sign a contract with her, stating I would not come back until I completed LONG TERM TREATMENT. I didn't expect it to work, none of them had, but I agreed to go...what did I have to lose? She sent me to the Ethridge Center. The Ethridge Center is a small non-profit drug and alcohol treatment center. It is run by Afro Americans, and is a Christian program. But the cool thing about this program is they have never pushed their beliefs on me--I am still an Agnostic. What impressed me was how they acted in a Christian way, instead of merely pontificating Christian Beliefs. The owner, Richard Stroud, is a born again Christian, but he does the walk, not the talk. He is one of the kindest men I've ever met. I wrote a review about Ethridge Center on Yelp months ago, if you would want to check it out. Richard is a well-educated man, an advocator for Civil Rights, who successfully set up free clinics in low income areas. But, he fell into drug addiction which ultimately annihilated his bright career. He took the elevator all the way down--ended up as a street addict, homeless, robbing everyday just to keep the monster away. Finally, he enrolled in long term treatment, recovered, and had a spiritual awakening. He became convinced his new life's mission was to help addicts recover from a Dystopian life of violence, drugs, and poverty. In 1994. he decided to open his his treatment center, The Ethridge Center, and has never looked back. His treatment Center in recovery vernacular is referred to as THE LAST HOUSE ON THE BLOCK. Literally a place that will take you in when nobody else will. That was me alright. But, I saw with my very own eyes people who had graduated from his program and were now currently loving life. They were happy, serene, productive members of society. This gave me hope: If they could do it, I might just be able to get better too. And I did--I've been sober for two years! This is a bloody miracle (even though I'm not a religous person). What separates his brand of treatment from all the others are a couple of factors.
1) He has created a warm family like environment. It makes recovery more about "we're in this together so lets help each other out," instead of: "I hate this place, I just wanna get out, and don't give a rat's ass about anyone." Some rehabs try and create a family environment but fall short; it appears superficial, steeped in meaningless platitudes, and agendas. Maybe the reason Ethridge Center has the "family feel" going on is because it is authentic. Only because Brother Richard, (by the way we all put Brother/Sister before our name) has singularily created such an environment. Believe me, I've been to rehabs where the positive aspects of "family" (love, affection, support,) were conspicuosly missing, yet the more negative aspects of family (betrayal, fighting, vengeance) could be seen in abundance. Who can get well in this kind of environment? No one except, Dali Lama, maybe. All I can say without Brother Richards family like environment, I wouldn't have gotten well.
2) The counselors, doctors, drivers, ex-graduates, interns and managers are giving their help purely on a volunteer basis. No one is paying them to babysit, be empathetic, or feign concern. This had a profound impact on me: it was the first time I felt that staff really cared. Brother Richard is always around to listen to a client's issues, no matter how seemingly small. He gives pragmatic advice done out of empathy, no judgement, and kindness. Bro Richard just has this inimitable way of making one understand, and see the light. He's the first person to ever get me to really understand the phrase, Let it Go. I kept lamenting on my very lamentable past, when he said to me very gently: Let if go...let it go, let it go. He gently mimed brushing something off his body, and I understood, finally. Now when I find myself getting all worked up, I mime brushing something off my shoulders and arms, and it works. I feel I'm able to forgive myself and others, and become more accepting of my situation. Folks, we are now suffering hard times. Bro Richard only charges $600 a month for treatment, food and board. He takes in lots of indigents on the promise they will pay him back, some do some don't. Presently, he may lose his his women's sober house due to lack of paying clients. He makes no money, does this purely out love ( I can't imagine being that altruistic), and he needs funds to pay the rent this month. We will be getting a contract with the Probation Department next month that will send us clients, but until then, we do not have enough in reserves to keep us going. If you all could send anything, anything at all, it would be kindly appreciated. It's tax deductible, and if there was ever a good cause, it's this little gem of a Rehab Center. I encourage to drop by and see for yourself, or please look at the videos we have. We are always looking for volunteers to do help in anyway, so if can't contribute monetarily, you could help us physically. Thank You, all and have a Blessed day! Maggie Weeks
