Lisa’s Story

“Hi all, my name is Lisa and I was struggling with alcohol abuse for roughly the last 3-4 years. The last year has been particularly rough and I ended up in such a circle of addiction I had no idea what to do with myself.

I was waking up to a drink so I wouldn’t get sick and I was getting sick because I was drinking. I was getting thru my work day by drinking and I was working in able to afford the excessive amount of booze I was consuming,

I was driving drunk, working, living and sleeping drunk. I woke up and told myself in the mirror how much I hated myself and just wanted it all to be done. Not suicide so to speak, but just over it. I tried time and time again to put limits on myself, phase it out, only drink on Friday, etc. We all know this is BS.

On September 11th of this year, I finally grew a pair and drove myself to Ocean State Recovery in Johnston, RI. They made some calls and found me a bed at BOCA. I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. They did a breathalyzer on me and I was three times the legal limit, so my husband had to come get me.

I had an Uber at my house in less than 30 minutes after getting home and I grabbed a bag with pajamas and two casual outfits. No personal care, no extra clothes, nothing. I really had no idea what was about to happen.

I arrived at BOCA so sick I was sent in an ambulance to the hospital where I waited in a crowded ER from 7:25pm until I was seen at 2:15am. I was shaking and throwing up and was in utter agony. After an abnormal EKG, the doctor decided to admit me and perform a litany of tests on me.After some blood work and other tests, the doctor admitted me. She told me I was lucky to be alive. She said I was on the verge of a stroke and had a chest full of lactic acid buildup. My vitamin levels were severely depleted and I was also severely dehydrated. They gave me numerous IV’s and started me on some medication. I was in the hospital for 3 nights until I was transported back to BOCA.

By this time I was feeling much better, but was still unsure what was going to happen.

I was given a room and began to feel pretty comfortable. The room was clean, large and very accomodating. I settled in and took a long nap.

I started going down for meals and started meeting other people and I was pleased to be welcomed and surrounded by my peers in the same ugly situation we all got ourselves into. We shared and laughed and played games and watched movies together and created a really strong ond in our recovery process.

I participated in every group session available even though I was not required since I was in Detox and not Residential and I began to share and also get to know the other clients much better. I felt good. I was not judged like I thought I would be.

I attended meetings with Therapists, Case Workers and Providers and was treated with dignity and respect.

After it was determined that I had a good exit strategy plannes, I was released after 13 days. I was attending an IOP in Johnston, RI from Monday thru Friday for the last 8 weeks and ‘graduated’ from that program without missing a session. It was good to be around people in the ‘real’ world going through recovery too. I got connected with new people. I go to the gym with one girl and we also have a chat group for all of us to share our trials, tribulations and triumphs and I find that very refreshing. I had a weekly therapist there as well as an outside therapist and things really couldn’t be better.

I just passed 80 days sober and have no desire to drink at all. My life is wonderful. My husband and I are reconnecting on a much more personal level and are making plans to travel. I have been purging my house and it feels great to get rid of the ‘baggage’ I have been carrying around not only physically, but mentally.

As one wise Case Manager at BOCA taught me, ‘IT’S NOT MY SHIT’. I have repeated that saying at least 200 times since I left BOCA and I cannot thank Linda enough for that piece of wisdom.

I am also reading and practicing Recovery Dharma and find it very enlightening. Meditation was something I never thought I could pull off, but I am enjoying it immensely.

In closing, I would like to thank not only the professional staff at BOCA for their support and guidance, but my fellow addicts. I really connected with that group and wish them all the best.

Sincerely,

Lisa Bevilacqua”