Bakersfield Recovery Services Inc. dba, Jason's Retreat, Capistrano Community For Women & Lincoln Street Perinatal
Testimonials About Jason's Retreat
as they tell how Jason's Retreat has helped them make their way out of the darkness and begin the journey to a new way of life. Jason's Retreat has been for so many men a lifesaving solution to a life threatening problem. Men who have lost ties with their father or mother, men who have lost their children and their wives, their dignity, have often found new hope in reestablishing these relationships. Jason's Retreat has always focused strongly on family and family values and we have had the privilege of seeing many of these men reestablish contact with loved ones. We've seen the glow on the face of a child that for the first time in many years gets to see a clean and sober Father. We've seen the pain in the eyes of a man that realizes the damage that he has caused in the lives of those that he holds most dear, and then we've watched as they begin to pick up the pieces, and deal with the consequences of their choices. It's to easy sometimes to dismiss the fact that this is a process and that change can only come about with dedication and a willingness to look at the places they have been and the things they have done and begin to be honest with themselves. Honesty plays a valuable role in recovery and so we have asked that they be completely honest in what they have to say here. GET HONEST, GET HELP, AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP ON YOUR JOURNEY TO A NEW WAY OF LIFE.....
Jason's Retreat received our first clients in 1987. Since then thousands of Men whose lives had been destroyed by drugs or alcohol have passed in and out of our doors. Men who had lost their families, their dignity and hope. Many of them had been lost in a maelstrom of grief and insanity. The stories of these men have often been told within the walls of Jason's Retreat. Many of the stories that these men have shared can be amazingly similar to some of the events that you and I have experienced in our own lives. Some may wonder "how can they let themselves get like that? Why don't they do something about the way they are living?" Often times a desire to change ones circumstances can seem an impossible task. The abuse of Drugs and Alcohol only serves to further drive these men deeper and deeper into despair, most often accompanied with guilt and shame. Jason's Retreat has been a light in world of darkness for some of these men. Not everybody out there with a drug or alcohol problem is fortunate enough to make it to a safe place where they can begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Picking up the pieces one at a time until they begin to see that life free from drugs and alcohol is within their reach. Until they find that there is freedom from the shallow existence that they have known for so long. We have asked some of our graduates and current Residents to tell their story, or at least a portion of it. The Testimonies that you are about to read are real and nothing has been added or taken away. Take a moment to see through the eyes of a recovering addict
Jason's Retreat Saved My Life
I'm not going to share my entire story here simply because that would just take to many pages and I doubt that you came here to read a book. However, I would like to share a bit about myself and what Jason's Retreat has done for me.
The first time I came to Jason's Retreat was in 2006, I had just been released from my fifth trip to California State Prison. I had been in and out of Jail and Prison for several years and not once had I ever been offered a program to help me with the problem that had sent me back behind bars over and over again.
When I was released from Prison in 2006 the first thing that I did was get a pack of cigarettes, I hadn't smoked the entire time that I spent incarcerated and swore that I was done with them for good. The second thing I did was get on an amtrak train to come to Bakersfield. The third thing that I did was buy a Beer while on the train. BAD IDEA!
When I arrived in Bakersfield I went to the nearest liquor store and bought a pint of Black Velvet and a bottle of 7Up. When That was gone I bought some more beer. Then More Hard liquor.
That night I stayed at my sisters house and got really drunk. The next evening she took me to an Alumni meeting at Jason's Retreat. I listened to people telling their own story of how they found hope and recovery at this program. With a little coaxing I agreed to give it a try and called my Parole officer asking him if he could get me into the program. I had a bed within the week. I had a great counselor and met some awesome people while in the program. I spent the first 90 days in residential. Going to classes and basically learning to hold myself accountable for my actions etc. I was given my life back, I hadn't had a job in 13 years when I left Jason's retreat I was working for a good company. I was able to rent a home in a nice part of town which I furnished with brand new furniture and all of the nice things that we want in a home. I learned to walk with integrity and I found out that it's okay to be me. Before entering Jason's Retreat I wasn't sure who I was or where I fit in.The years spent abusing drugs and alcohol had taken my identity. I can look in a mirror today, I mean actually look at my own face with out flinching. I learned that I'm a pretty good guy, I just had a really bad problem. Don't misunderstand me, Jason's Retreat didn't cure me, Jason's Retreat provided me with a safe environment where I could deal with the issues that I had spent years burying with drugs and alcohol. Issues that I had spent so long hiding that I had forgotten what the issue was. I was encouraged to be myself, I was encouraged to face my darkest demon's in a safe, loving and controlled atmosphere.
My life hasn't been perfect since then but I can face life and all of it's many challenges without the use of drugs and alcohol, and anytime I need a friend Jason's Retreat has an open door policy and I know that I can always come home. Today I am blessed with a beautiful, loving wife and a beautiful daughter. I relapsed once and came home to Jason's Retreat where I have once again found my way back to sanity. They never look down on me and they never turned their back on me and for that I am forever grateful. I just want to say Thanks to all of my family at Jason's Retreat. Thanks for helping me find myself and thanks for teaching me that I never have to use again. NOT EVEN IF I WANT TO!
William
Bakersfield, Ca.