Praise report!

[BlessEwe]

Three years ago I was in the worse place of my life, even though I am a christian.
I was afraid to tell anyone at church, or my bible study, fear of being judged, from lack of knowledge and understanding of addiction.

I felt hopeless and lost who I was, and was basically dieing. The drug made me feel like I wanted to die, and saw no way out. I was also destroying my family. Classic progressive addict.

I got to the point where I physically needed substances in order to feel ok, and my addiction became my #1 priority over anything or anyone.

In a blackout I called 911, and I know it was God reaching down to grab me out of the dark hole I got myself into.

In the emergency room God began to open doors, the on call doctor ( detox doctor who just happened to be there) is a recovering addict himself. Told me I was just about dead ( ummm couldn't question anymore if I had a problem..) He admitted me, and another doctor family friend came in to talk after a few days in the hospital ( he is also in recovery). I had no idea he was in recovery, and he put his wing over me. God continued to open the doors I needed.

After treatment, ( which was major drama..lol) but I just concentrated on my own recovery, knowing it was do or die. I did everything they told me to 100%

Through these few years I have worked hard, and let go ( in baby steps) of things I have dragged with me for years and years through God and the 12 step program. Pain that I felt guilty of if I let it go ( death of family ect.)

I have never felt better in my life, although I know it is a life time process, the tools of recovery are freeing me of myself, and my dysfunctional thinking pattern. The promises of recovery are really promises.

So with this said, I am now going to tell you the praise report After about 6 months
God kept showing me to go back to school, to become a counselor helping other addicts. I was like What I am too old..lol... He kept bringing it up, so I did...I went back full time, ( the ol brain took a while to warm up..)

I Graduated, and did my internship over the last year ( at a home for pregnant women off of the streets on drugs, love it and get to hold healthy babies too). Sent in my portfolio 2 months ago... and I got the letter last night that I am going up for the State board test... , I am really scared and I don't know where God is leading me, but I am just following Him. 3 1/2 hour test, I need prayer..

My family has supported me through all of this, life is not perfect, and at times I struggle. I am work in progress, I want to get a tattoo that says that...HAA So I wanted to share that..



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[TheMainException]

This is awesome!!!!!!! Praise be to God absolutely. He's got big plans for you. Keep trusting in Him. I love you.

 

[BobW188]

You've got the prayer. Your school or local professional association, or just an online search, should reveal some sources for practice tests, which I recommend. When I was getting my MSW I found sometimes the right answers were based more on professional doctrine than good sense.
If you can get in a practice test or two, the real thing will likely be a cakewalk.

Be aware, in going in to substance abuse counselling you're going back into combat. Unless things have changed in recent years the relapse rate for addiction professionals is, you should pardon the word, staggering.

 

[BlessEwe]

Thank you Main exception and Bob. I do have 3 of the practice tests, and I am baffled by some of the ( well secular answers). Some I do not agree on, but can understand the reasons.

And yes, the relapse rate is high and major stress. I was training in a fast paced rehab but stepped away into the slower paced recovery home. I am going slow as I do have a family too. The pay is horrible ..lol They offered me a job where I intern, but eating, sleeping, 24/7 work is not what I am into this for. So I am waiting on God to open that door when it is time.

 

[madison1101]

That is just awesome news!!!

I remember when I studied for my MSW, I did one internship in a halfway house for women who were allowed to keep their children with them. The other internship was in a facility that housed severely mentally ill addicts and alcoholics.

It is exciting to see how God can use our problems for His greater good and glory.

And I must confess, I took my recovery for granted for a very long time, due to the intellectual knowledge I had about alcoholism and recovery. My therapist says I did not internalize the program, and got away from meetings for just a few weeks and then relapsed.

Hugs,
Trish

 

[BlessEwe]

Madison!

I will agree, I have worked with some counselors who feel their work is the program and don't go to meetings. You can tell they need a meeting and to work on them self.
Just as there are people who have been in the program for years ( but doesn't work on them self) or someone with little time ( but works very hard on them self ) Who has the stronger foundation of recovery?

The dual recovery must have been very hard for you to work in Madison, but a blessing. I have already been bummed seeing people/clients who really seemed to have grasped recovery go out and relapse, each one of them are in my prayers. Some of these who relapsed are mothers who return to the streets with their babies, only to have them taken away. Very sad to see.

One last after thought is that Co-dependency is very difficult to step away from as well, getting in Gods way, wanting to take them home and fix them...lol... especially if they get kicked out. Or getting a pumped up bubble head feeling Yeah I am the best out there, and God bursting the bubble becoming humble again.

Humbleness is the key, staying focused on really who is doing the work and I am just planting seeds.

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[madison1101]

Madison!

I will agree, I have worked with some counselors who feel their work is the program and don't go to meetings. You can tell they need a meeting and to work on them self.
Just as there are people who have been in the program for years ( but doesn't work on them self) or someone with little time ( but works very hard on them self ) Who has the stronger foundation of recovery?

The dual recovery must have been very hard for you to work in Madison, but a blessing. I have already been bummed seeing people/clients who really seemed to have grasped recovery go out and relapse, each one of them are in my prayers. Some of these who relapsed are mothers who return to the streets with their babies, only to have them taken away. Very sad to see.

One last after thought is that Co-dependency is very difficult to step away from as well, getting in Gods way, wanting to take them home and fix them...lol... especially if they get kicked out. Or getting a pumped up bubble head feeling Yeah I am the best out there, and God bursting the bubble becoming humble again.

Humbleness is the key, staying focused on really who is doing the work and I am just planting seeds.

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Bless Ewe,
I was blessed early in my teaching career with a job in a youth detention center. My codependency was through the roof, because I saw what was contributing to these kids' criminal activities. It really was playing with me for the two years I worked there. God used that time to teach me healthy detachment. I am really able to detach and not feel that codependent urge like I had then.

The dual diagnosis program taught me a lot of about recovery/relapse and gave me a great love for the population there.

Trish

 

[hotsauce5000]

good job, dont give up