You Are Not Alone

In my life before recovery, I was a slave to the drugs. I was only concerned about drugs and the next time I was going to get them. I lost relationships with my family, friends, finances. Everything was taken from me. Prior to Symetria, I thought I could have my own rehab at home and handle it on my own. I tried so many times. But, by noon every day I was using. Symetria has everything — wonderful counselors, wonderful doctors, wonder psychiatrists. And, everyone is in it for your best interest. I still struggle some days to wake up and find the motivation to stay clean. But, Symetria is there for me. They listen to me. They talk to me. Give me tips. They never judge. For anyone thinking about coming here, just do it.

My life in active disease was nothing but withdrawal 24/7, depression and no routine or meaning to life at all. The physical withdrawals were the worst part. I finally overcame it by getting by getting medication and help when I came to Symetria. Symetria gave me my life, routine and stability. My advice to someone thinking about recovery is that change is possible. As hard as it is to believe, it is possible.

Before Symetria, my life was my habit — every day chasing drugs. 

Even when I tried another rehab before Symetira, it wasn’t the same. It was a lot more crowded and not very personal. Just a big group of people and lots of waiting around. Here, it’s personal. You get that 1:1. That was key for me because I struggle with connecting to people. I’m more of a loner. Since being at Symetria, I talk to people more. I can connect more with people. 

And, everything is nice and calm overall. I have gone back to school, and I’m almost done with that. I have been at my job for 6 years. I bought a home. I did a lot of good things since coming here. It’s a really good feeling.

My advice to anyone that is seeking recovery, just take the first step. Once you take the first step, everything falls into place. There is work to be done but taking the first step is to be here.

My life before recovery was unmanageable. I was not living right. Like most people in recovery, I did a lot of things that I regret. I was not seeing my family. I was hiding a lot of stuff. I didn’t want to live like that anymore.

Before I decided to come to Symetria, I had attended three other treatment centers that were also medication-assisted. With the first, some things didn’t go well. With the second one, I was trying to get clean from heroin and I just couldn’t. I couldn’t because I had a husband at home who was still using, and it was very difficult for me to be home every day and watching him. As much as I tried, it just wasn’t working. My husband had a job opportunity, so we came to College Station. The nearest treatment center was in Tomball. I was driving an hour every day. Then, I found Symetria. I wasn’t ready to get off methadone yet, January 19, 2018, I walked into Symetria and it changed my life for the better. I immediately loved coming here. I have created relationships with my counselors, with the nurses, and just everyone made me feel comfortable and at home. My opinion mattered and I was not just a number. I enjoy being here which is not what a lot of people would say about their treatment centers. I know a lot of people have struggled their entire lives and I do consider myself lucky. I hold onto my recovery like it’s the last thing on earth. I am a peer recovery specialist now (thanks to Symetria!). Symetria sponsored me to go to school and do some classes. I get to go into the community and speak at the events about recovery. I have done so many amazing things because I came here. My advice that I would give people who are trying to come to recovery is to make sure your support system is good. Make sure to find a purpose for yourself. Sometimes it comes to you, sometimes you have to find it yourself. But finding it sometimes, is some of the best times you are going to have in your recovery.

Before recovery, I did not have a job. I was spending all my money on drugs. I was in trouble with the law. And, I has a bad relationship with all my family. I had tried two different methadone clinics, inpatient rehab and two detox programs. Nothing stuck until Symetria. While being here, I have been able to get and maintain a job. I made amends with my mother and father. I have not relapsed in 2 and a half years. This is the longest I have been sober since I was 16. The advice I would give someone going into recovery is to take it slow and try to relax. Think things through because you will get impulses, and you can’t act on those impulses.

Before recovery with Symetria, my life was chaotic and overall hell. I tried another facility before, and I was not pleased. I was on Suboxone there, but still had a desire to use drugs. Plus, I didn’t feel comfortable with the treatment or the people. I needed more help and called the Symetria crisis line at 3am. Everyone I encountered here was wonderful. I felt like I had a chance to pick up the pieces of my life and do better with Symetria’s help. They helped me open up and let go of things that has been bothering me over the years that caused me to use drugs. I feel safe with them. Everyone here is treated with genuine concern and care. I am able to recover 100%. I look forward to groups and everyone I associate with here. The thing I battle with the most is depression. Depression has led to my self-medicating, and I have battled it my whole life. Symetria helped me open up and feel comfortable talking about it. The best advice I can give someone is to give Symetria a chance. They are awesome and every person here cares about what you are going through. Everyone is willing to help.

I have many issues with my body. When I was in the Army, I worked with nuclear missiles. I came back and had many operations. I had pain every day, every waking moment. But, I would not want to be back on opioids. With that crap, the feeling of euphoria is no good. It controlled me. I was on opioids for 28 years, and Symetria finally got me off. I have been in recovery since 2019. I like how I feel now.

Before recovery, I had no money and destroyed a lot of relationship. I struggled with work. My main attempts at recovery failed and didn’t last very long. Symetria showed me people who care and view this as a disease. You always have someone to talk to. My advice for people striving to recover, be successful and take that next step – build a support system that is going to help motivate you. Start working on a plan.

My life in addiction was stressful and not the type of life anyone would want to have. My recovery attempts before Symetria were very rough. I was usually trying to go cold-turkey or using other drugs to try to mask the symptoms of withdrawal.

When I came to Symetria, it gave me a clear mind and, of course, helped take away the pain of the withdrawal symptoms.  Symetria helped me live a normal life and helped me achieve my goals. They gave me knowledge on how to deal with this disease. It made life easier and opened my eyes to deal with things in the right way. Deciding who to keep in my life. Figuring out what is good for me and my life going forward. I had to  make tough decisions because of the problems I had with drugs. The mental part is the hardest part to overcome.

My best advice is to just come in and not try to do it on your own. Have people ease the transition of living that life. 

I had problems with the pain medications that I was on. Trying to get off was very difficult and, at the same time, I was an alcoholic. I was in a program and going to AA for that. When I tried to be abstinent, the withdrawal symptoms were so bad that I’d end up going right back on the pain medication. I didn’t see a way to get off of them. I also had many attempts to stop my drinking,

Symetria helped me get to where I am today. They helped me get to know more about myself and some of the other things (like depression and anxiety) that go along with it. Many of those things are what led me to wanting to go back to drinking or using pain medications. One of the things I struggled with in my recovery journey is habits; finding things to do to occupy time. Symetria helped me realize some of the things I do like to do, like biking, hobby with small engines, even my marriage. One of the most important things for me was to just keep trying. If you don’t even try, you certainly won’t succeed. 

Before Symetria, I was in and out of rehabs and mental health places. Maybe eleven different times. I also tried AA, NA and every type of meeting possible. I went to group therapy and psychiatrists. Nothing seemed to fit. I never felt like I fit in anywhere or found anything to anchor my recovery.

Symetria is different because I finally got a realistic option. Before, I was told this is how it was, here are the meetings, get sober and that was it. Symetria, had the support I needed, with therapy, psychiatry and anyone here that I could talk to about anything. But, I also had the option of Suboxone here. Before that, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and why I couldn’t just get sober. When I finally got on Suboxone, I was able to use all the tools and the things that I learned and finally get sober.

My biggest struggle is having a healthy social life. As I always associated friends with hanging out, partying, and using. I had a hard time making new friends. But, now I have a great relationship with my family. I mended a lot of broken relationships. I do have a social life it’s just not so much with friends because I don’t have time to just hang out. I have responsibilities, I am a mom, and I value that more.

My advice to someone trying to get sober or stay sober is to keep an open mind.  There are a lot of options out there and it might not just be one option, it might a combination of options. Whatever your story is, what led you to addiction, what led you to recovery, there is something that will work for you. Don’t give up.

Before entering recovery, my life was pretty miserable. My health was severely affected. I was basically sitting around the house all day, just lying around high, not doing anything.

I started trying to enter recovery in 2012. I went to a treatment center in Michigan. I went to several more treatment centers since then. It’s been a long struggle. I really only had small stints of sobriety. The biggest difference between Symetria and other recovery programs is that it’s much more supportive. Other places tell you what to do rather than supporting you. 

The biggest piece of advice I would give to anyone starting their recovery is to stay true to yourself. 

Because of my addiction with prescription pills, life seemed so hard. It was impossible to manage even simple tasks. I needed help and that’s when I found Symetria. Symetria helped me stay sober. I finally got the right medicine that I needed to hold down a job, get a car and just get my life back. It feels so good to move past your addiction.

My life before recovery was an absolute mess. I was on the verge of getting my hands amputated. I was about two uses away from dying. I couldn’t’ get my life together in any capacity. I accepted that if I died, I was going to be ok with it.

I had been to a few treatment centers. I didn’t commit the way I should have with most of them. They were different than Symetria though. If you mess up then you are done or you get three chances and you are done. Whereas Symetria listens and they want to help you even if you relapse. There is no judgment whatsoever in this place.

Before I came to Symetria, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to stay clean. And, I didn’t know how to ask for help. The second I walked through the doors, my counselor went out on a limb to help me out and got me into the IOP group I needed to be in. Since coming here, I have been very hopeful, and I feel like I know what I am doing. They help me figure out where I need to go next. They never push me in any direction, they just help me figure out what I need to figure out. That is so refreshing and so nice. If I ever need anything I can ask anyone here, not just my counselor. They all work together as a beautiful team. And, the fact that there is no judgment is the absolute best thing about this place.

I never thought I would be able to live the life that I am living right now. Anyone that is thinking about recovery, take the leap. Just give it a shot. You don’t know how beautiful your life can be.