Sobriety testimonial: Ocean Hills, you turned my life around & I'm forever grateful

Having battled addiction for more than 25 years and becoming extremely unwell I finally realised (with a lot of help from my family) that yes, my life was worth living.

I had one final attempt at drinking although I would be in my grave within three weeks if I kept going, as the doctors kept telling me. I didn’t want to put my family through that, even though I felt at times it would be a hell of a lot easier to just leave, and it basically wouldn’t take long.

No…my Mum and Dad decided to drive me to Ocean Hills - private rehab in Hawke's Bay - with my gin in hand (at that point I was drinking a bottle a day and it wasn’t doing for me, to be honest). They didn’t trust me to go on the plane because I probably wouldn’t have even gone near Ocean Hills.

I don’t think anyone thought I had a hope but Ocean Hills gave me my last chance of survival

Hope is a powerful force in a sobriety journey.

A testimonial to sobriety

Thank God they did drive me because I ended up in hospital for two days of my stay as I was so crook, and had to detox. I think I’ve done four or five rehabs before Ocean Hills Rehab and quite a few visits to Pitman House in Auckland. So, this was it - one final shot at becoming sober for good.

I don’t think anyone thought I had a hope but Ocean Hills gave me my last chance of survival. Elaine, you are truly a gift and such a beautiful caring person. All the staff at this drug and alcohol rehab were so lovely and caring and actually gave me so much support when in actual fact they probably just wanted to kick me up the backside because I was such a grump and so stubborn. [note from Ocean Hills - we never felt that way and always believed you could make it!]

Rehab centre: A safe space to get sober

The Ocean Hills house is lovely and makes you feel like you're on a bit of a holiday with comfy bends and beautiful bedrooms. The meals are great and cater for all types of lifestyles (vegetarian here). There is always someone to talk to in the middle of the night if you need. But there is also plenty of time for your own journey/nap/outside in the fresh air/reflecting and goal setting.

I went there in September 2020 and I'm now 2.5 years sober without a drop of my death sentence drink. I am grateful to be alive, to say the least. I am grateful for my family, especially my children and my Mum and Dad.

I have so much more energy and I smile and feel light most of the time without being addicted to anything

I have a lot to be happy about but it is hard work and sometimes in the beginning it can be just one hour, one day or one week at a time. My advice is, don’t let people tell you what works for you - you do you and whatever makes it work, just do it.

After all of this, I left my last attempt at getting sober a little too late and now I have stage-4 liver disease. I have cut my life too short for my liking as I love living now - I'm enjoying things a hell of a lot more. I have so much more energy and I smile and feel light most of the time without being addicted to anything.

My thought for the day or maybe your day: You can do it this you want to! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!

Ocean Hills Detox & Rehab, you have turned my life around and I am forever grateful.

If you're worried about your drinking or that of someone you love, call Elaine on 027 573 7744 for a confidential and compassionate chat. You're never alone.