Letter of Hope from a Chronic Pain Patient

Divine Intervention

This is my story.  A journey that I wish no one. 

It started over twenty years ago with chronic back problems.  A pain pill here and there, each time stronger miligrams.  Little did I know what damage I was doing to myself and my family.

Well, it finally caught up to me.  I went in to the hospital for spinal surgery twice in one year.  The last surgery was like icing on a cake, it is where all my problems began:  My addiction to opiates.  They were available to me every ten minutes at my desire.  Oh yeah!  I was in pig heaven!  Feeling no pain at all!!  Little did I know what I was doing to myself. 

This really was just getting me going to my addiction.  After discharging from the hospital, I was given a prescription for oxycotin.  Wow! more pain killers!  Oh how dumb I was.  I thought I knew it all! 

After theirty four days of being in a haze, it was time to get professional help.  The next day I was a basketcase!  Oh God, what do I do?!?!  I had enough sense to call my EAP Program for help that I serioulsy needed!  I knew what I had to tod.  I had to get clean off of the drugs that had me a total mess. 

I was referred to Hemet Valley Recovery Center for a medical detoxification from all drugs that I was on for so long.  If it had not been for Hemet Valley Recovery Center, I probably be dead by now.  The doctors and staff were very awesome and very caring for my well being to get well and clean.  The staff got me through my darkest days. 

I am clean and sober now and with God's help, forever!!

Sincerely,

Steven M.

HVRC and Sage Retreat Featured on A&E's Intervention

Jackie's Story

Once known as the "prettiest girl in town," Jackie had a promising career as a radiation therapist. She became a wealthy doctor's wife, a country club member and a proud mother.

But Jackie was haunted by childhood traumas. She was devasted when her father dies when she was 13. And as an overweight adolescent, she was teased wth the nickname, "Fat Jack" and felt she was never as good as her pretty sister.

After Jackie's second pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, she turned to alcohol. She's had three failed stints in rehab and an ugly divorce. Prior to treatment, Jackie drank two bottles of wine a day.

Today, Jackie is 125 days clean and sober, "feeling good and is happy but would be happier if she had her daughter in her life." She currently resides in California.
This episode, filmed at our Hemet, CA faciity, will chronicle the treatment of patient Jackie.

Tune into A&E network on Monday, January 11th 9:00 pm PST (the episode will also re-run Tuesday, January 12th 1:00 am PST)

Hemet Valley Recovery Center Awarded CARF Accreditation

Hemet Valley Recovery Center (HVRC) has received three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).  The accreditation includes the Centers inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment services for alcohol and drug addictions.  The Center received accreditation by The Joint Commission last year.

"The CARF accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality," states Dr. Aung Thu, HVRC Medical Director.  "We are pleased to have received the full three year accreditation with our first CARF survey."

Founded in 1966, CARF is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes quality rehabilitation services.  It does this by establishing standards of quality for organizations to use as guidelines in developing and offering their programs or services to consumers.  CARF used the standards to determine how well an organization is serving its clients and how it can improve.

"It is rewarding for our team to receive recognition for meeting the highest national and international standards for quality," states Steve Collier, HVRC Executive Director.  "The accreditation demonstrates that we meet rigorous guidelines for service and quality; it's a consumer 'seal of approval' for those seeking alcohol and drug rehabilitation services."

The two-day survey was conducted by a two-person team who determine the degree to which HVRC meets the CARF standards which are developed with input from consumers, rehabilitation professionals, state and national organizations, and funders.  Every year the standards are reviewed and new ones are developed to keep pace with changing conditions and current consumer needs.

According to the survey team HVRC "services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicates an established pattern of practice excellence."  The survey summary states that HVRC has strengths in several areas:

• A very comfortable, homelike treatment setting with well-appointed counseling and group rooms, including a meditation room for persons served.
• Maintained facilities to an exceptionally high standard... clean, safe, well organized and well appointed.
• Leadership committed to continuous quality improvement.
• Well-trained and professional staff members who received comprehensive, ongoing, competency-based training.
• Team and dedication to service delivery, to meeting individual needs, and to the organization are evident.
• Dedicated administrative staff members who are committed to the organization's vision, philosophy, and goals.
• A reputation in the community for being a service provider of choice.

The summary also concludes that HVRC benefits from being part of Hemet Valley Medical Center, which enhances its infrastructure and provides access to operational resources.

"On balance, it is evident that HVRC provides excellent treatment to the persons served and its dedicated to continuous quality improvement."

Holiday Prayer

At the Hemet Valley Recovery Center and Sage Retreat Holiday Network Luncheon, Gordon Scheible, HVRC Counselor and Episcopal Minister provided the opening prayer:

Gracious God, we are gathered here today as those who have committed our lives in service to others.  We come seeking to learn ever more about how to help others seeking to deal with their difficult sturggle with addiction and mental illness.  Inspire us as we endeavor to carry out your will for those entrusted to our care and guidance.  May we have the ability to look upon them with compassion and understanding as we help to be restored to wholeness of life, to be removed from the fears that grip them, and to assist them in the lessening of thier feelings of low self-worth.  Give us reasoned understanding, an open mind and the perserverance of love that can come only from you.  Guide and direct our efforts and make us always ready to use the gifts you have given us.  As colleagues, enable each of us to inspire one another and be a credit to the facilities for which we labor.  Grant us both the wisdom and the ability to help others live the life you created them to have.  And now, we ask that you bless the food we are about to receive and the fellowship we share to our use and to your loving service, and may we always remain open to the still small voice that speaks to our hearts of your love and care for us all. Amen. 

Teaching Affirmations at Hemet Valley Reovery Center

"Addiction gives us the gift of introspection."

At Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat

we teach the importnace of positive affirmations.

Affirmation

Hold peach in your hearts for

those who cannot do the same,

and see with clear vision

where others eyes

have been clouded

with sadness, anger or rage.

Vow to avenge with light

where others would call forth wrath,

and seek only that which

your own heart knows to be true.

Namaste'

News Flash!! Alumni, Continuing Care, and VIP groups change to Thrusday nights!

As of December 3rd, 2009, Alumni, Continuing Care, and VIP groups will be held on Thursday evenings at 6pm.  As we move forward without ongoing expansion, we find ourselves facing many changes and adjustments, always keeping in mind our service to the recovery process.  One of these changes will be moving the family program families a greater opportunity to participate.  We also find that one change precipitates another and that being the need, therefore to move Alumni, Continuing Care, and VIP to Thursday evenings.  We are aware that these activities have held a permanent slot in the program schedule for many years and we understand that changing the day to Thursday may pose an inconvenience to some.  It is our greatest desire to facilitate the needs of all and we do hope that you will understand and be able to adapt.

Look forward to seeing you around!!!

Watch MTV's Gone Too Far tonight!

Hemet Valley Recovery Center will be featured on MTV and DJ AM's show, "Gone Too Far."  The episode tonight tells the story of Ricky, a 20 year old heroin addict.  Ricky came to Hemet Valley Recovery to seek treatment for his addiction.  Watch tonight's episode to see Ricky's struggle to overcome his chemical dependency.