Compassion and Encouragement Help Tyler Through Detox and Treatment
We are proud to share a letter from Tyler, a former client. His recovery and new look on life is something to celebrate!
Iris Cola, SUDP II, at Skagit Community Detox, shared, “It was so inspiring to see Tyler get through detox and request to be transferred into residential treatment. He wanted help for both his mental health and substance use disorder (SUD). We completed his SUD assessment and sent it to our North Sound Behavioral Health Treatment Center for review. Both Tyler and I were excited when there was an opening and he received a bed date.”
Iris continued, “Tyler was able to transfer directly into residential treatment after he completed his detox protocol. It has been my privilege to see him grow in his recovery and witness it all happening with the help of Pioneer Human Services’ programs. The fact that Tyler has been sober for more than seven months is incredible and a reminder that ‘Recovery is Possible’ "
Tyler wrote the following letter to us:
“I’m writing this to express my gratitude and share my experience with Skagit Community Detox, North Sound Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Pioneer Human Services in general.
When I had first been admitted into detox, I was really sick. I really don't think I would have been able to stop drinking safely without medical assistance and a safe environment to go through withdrawal. I had gone around two years without missing a day of drinking alcohol. Alcohol has been an issue for me since my teenage years. But at this point of my life, it was really taking a toll on my body and mental health. I already had one DUI because of my drinking and the future was not looking good.
I entered detox and my five days at Pioneer’s Skagit Community Detox were made as pleasant as possible. The staff was very nice and really seemed to care about me. They strongly suggested that I go straight into inpatient treatment from detox. Unfortunately, I declined because I was worried about moving out of my current living situation. I was planning to go when I got all my belongings in storage.
I regret not taking the detox center’s staff advice, because I ended up relapsing, and within days I was feeling withdrawal symptoms. I ended up back in the hospital and Skagit Detox took me in soon after. When I got there, the staff didn't judge me for relapsing; instead they encouraged me and told me I could stay clean. This time, I accepted the recommendation to go to inpatient. The staff really went all out to find a treatment facility for me. After five days of detox, I was directly referred into the North Sound Behavioral Health Treatment Center (NSBHTC) in Everett that Pioneer also operates.
NSBHTC was really great for my recovery. The staff showed compassion and kindness and offered it to all the clients. I really feel that working on my mental health, and talking to doctors about medication, made the difference that has kept me clean. Also, the fact that they have 12-step recovery meetings every day really got me involved in working a program that has kept me sober.
NSBHTC staff also helped find me a clean and sober house before I finished the program and was released. That was a huge relief, and for the first time in so long, I felt like I had solid plan and hope for my future.
As of 11/05/24, I have been over seven months sober! I also completed 90 clean and sober meetings in 90 days straight out of treatment. It is with pride that I share I'm working full time now, and have graduated from an intensive outpatient program at Catholic Community Services. My routine also includes going to my recovery home group meetings regularly.
As I shared, I’ve struggled with mental health and addiction basically my whole life. But at this point in my life, I feel confident in myself and my sobriety. I now want to help others struggling with addiction to not only get clean - but to have hope and joy in there lives. So, I am ever so grateful to Pioneer Human Services and all the wonderful staff who helped me get to where I am today. I truly believe this program saved my life and my freedom.”
Sincerely, Tyler