Something we value at ASAC is celebrating the wins. From major milestones to everyday hurdles, we are so proud of the accomplishments made by everyone who walks through our door. With September being National Recovery Month, we wanted to shine a light on the impact of evidence-based treatment and recovery practices by sharing some stories and messages of real ASAC patients.
These stories help demonstrate the importance of the work we do and the resilience of our patients every single day. Recovery isn’t just about sobriety, it’s about getting another chance at a happy, healthy life. We are so proud of every single individual who has overcome their challenges to achieve a life they are proud of.
Patient Success Stories
In late December 2022, a 34-year-old female arrived at ASAC’s Recovery Center. She had come from the hospital, where she underwent alcohol detox after being treated for injuries received from a recent assault that took place while she was intoxicated.
At the time of admission into treatment, she was not able to have contact with her two young children, was divorced, and recently lost her job as Director of Nursing. Her alcoholism had such a hold on her that she had even resorted to stealing alcohol and was facing legal charges as a result. In addition to these issues, she was also carrying tremendous trauma related to the death of her twin sister, a cousin who died by suicide, the loss of a stillborn son, and several other losses she had never fully processed.
She felt defeated in all ways but entered treatment with motivation and a desire for change. She soon began to flourish with the structured approach of residential treatment, and she began to heal and grow both physically and emotionally.
By the time she left the residential program, she had regained her sense of self-love, hope, and ongoing drive for her recovery. She transitioned directly into a sober living program, maintained sobriety, and is involved in her children’s lives again. She was able to get her job back and is continuing to work on finding herself. She is proud of where she is today and continues her path of healing and empowerment.
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At age 47, a gentleman almost died from multiple seizures brought on by alcohol withdrawal. He had lost everything: his home, his job, his marriage, and even some of his family relationships.
Throughout his residential treatment, he began to recover physically, mentally, and emotionally. A major milestone for him was the ability to forgive himself and heal from his past, which played a role in his drinking. He said he would describe ASAC as a “family” that accepted him unconditionally and helped him learn how to like—and love—himself again. In time, his real family started to become involved in our family support groups, and those relationships began to mend as well.
After transitioning into the Halfway House program and seeking employment opportunities, he became overwhelmed and turned to alcohol to cope. He quickly spiraled out of control and was eventually found highly intoxicated on a bench by a local hospital.
He was devastated and ashamed, and he assumed ASAC was going to discharge him. However, he was welcomed back, and we worked with him to better understand what happened and how it can be avoided in the future. He was able to return to his recovery journey quickly and soon secured his dream job driving trucks. He now has regular contact with his family, and he even stops in to visit his ASAC “family” whenever his truck routes bring him through the area.
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One woman first started using Methamphetamine by smoking it and eventually switched to injection via IV. She began experiencing mental health issues and suffered from domestic violence in multiple relationships. Unfortunately, all of this led to her losing her job, losing her home, and living in her car.
At four months pregnant, she decided she needed to make changes to provide a better life for her unborn child. She was admitted into ASAC’s Heart of Iowa (HOI) residential treatment program.
While in treatment, she attended all required meetings and group sessions and worked on her parenting skills, anger management, establishing healthy boundaries in relationships, and saying no. She moved into the Halfway House program at HOI in under three months and was enrolled in the Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI), which provides things like gas cards and maternity clothing.
While in the Halfway House program, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She eventually moved into The Way Home with her son and was able to use her grant funding to furnish their home and get supplies to meet their basic needs.
She enrolled in and completed CNA classes and now works full-time at a local nursing home. She continues to attend weekly group and individual sessions at The Way Home, and she attends a minimum of three NA meetings with CRUSH each week. She states that coming to ASAC was the best thing for her and her child, and she has been sober since she began treatment at the Heart of Iowa in March 2022!
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A man was feeling hopeless after getting into trouble with the law and losing custody of his young son. He wanted to make a fresh start for himself and his family.
In September 2021, he made the decision to enter ASAC’s Outpatient Program and was admitted into inpatient treatment a few months later. He quickly began to make progress in his recovery, and he participated in all individual and group counseling sessions, eventually entering the Halfway Program in February 2022. He was also enrolled in the Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI).
Once he made it to the Halfway program, he hit the ground running. He quickly found a job near his residential treatment facility and obtained Rapid Rehousing (RRH) to assist with rent. He worked with his Care Navigator and RRH Case Manager to locate housing and moved into his apartment in May 2022. Throughout this process, he also had assistance from his father, who was a great support for him throughout his recovery. He was able to furnish his apartment with the help of his Care Navigator, who was able to get him some furniture through a local non-profit organization called Central Iowa Furniture Rescue. He was able to get additional items with assistance from his GBHI Grant.
He attended court regularly and successfully maintained his sobriety, which meant he had earned visitation with his son. Eventually, he gained full custody, and his son now lives with him. In November 2022, he was able to get his driver’s license back and purchase a vehicle of his own. He celebrated 1 year of sobriety in December 2022.
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“I’m a mother to three beautiful kids, and I used to be in an abusive relationship for about 4 years, which contributed to my drinking. I would drink all day, every day, which then led to me getting arrested and losing my license and my job. By the grace of God, my kids never got taken.
On October 10, I hit rock bottom. I couldn’t do the drinking or being abused anymore. I wanted a way out, and the only way out was to change my life. I knew I needed to stop drinking and leave him, and that’s exactly what I did.
I looked online for rehab facilities, but I didn’t know anything about the places or their locations. At this point, I didn’t care. I knew any of them would be way better than the life I was living.
That’s when I found Hightower Place. I called them and they welcomed me and my kids with open arms! Then, I met a lovely angel by the name of Theresa. She has helped me out a lot with the program I am in and has even helped me search for jobs. I didn’t think that a program like this was ever made for me, seeing as I have been turned down by a lot of them.
Again, by the grace of God and the angel he sent to help me, I got approved. It felt like I had won the lottery. Ever since I put the bottle down, everything that I have always wanted and needed is finally here, and all it took was the courage to pick up the phone. You will realize that there are people out there willing to help you once you’re ready. And I have done it—I’m in a good program with wonderful people! For the first time ever, I have my own three-bedroom apartment, and I’m working. My next step in my sobriety journey is to pay my fines so I can get a car.
Every day, I ask myself why I waited so long to make this change. But all that matters is that it’s never too late for change. I want everyone to know: NEVER BE ASHAMED OF WHO YOU WERE. STAND UP TALL AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU HAVE BECOME!” – Anonymous