Hannah Describes Heroin Addiction Treatment Experience At Bluff Plantation

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Hannah Describes Heroin Addiction Treatment
Experience At Bluff Plantation
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The Early Years And Beyond

• I grew up in a great family, Hannah says. Was
  captain of the cheerleading squad, got good
  grades. But she had issues just beneath the
  surface. I had some daddy issues and was always
  the party girl. That was my purpose. I had my
  first drink at age 13, then smoked weed.

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• Still, she did well at first, graduating from
  high school at age 16. That same year she was
  placed on prescription painkillers following a
  surgical procedure. Thats when I knew I had a
  problem. I couldnt stop thinking about it. I let
  everything go. My grades slipped. I fought with
  my parents constantly and was sneaking out to
  hang out with boys because I knew they had drugs.

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• After a bout with depression, she convinced her
  parents to let her travel to California to stay
  with a friend she had met in a rehab program, and
  her life took a bad turn. One night I came home
  drunk and on Xanax, got kicked out of the house,
  and moved in with a heroin addict I had just met.
  And that was the beginning to a never ending
  cycle of destruction.

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• Things got worse, and she kept using drugs.
  Heroin was my best friend. It never let me down
  except when I ran out. Soon there was a felony
  conviction, a prison sentence, probation. And she
  still hadnt hit rock-bottom.

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• After release from prison I stayed clean,
  started school, and was doing really well, she
  says. She had a sponsor to help her stay on
  track. Then came finals week. I was overwhelmed
  and had just broken up with my significant other,
  when an old using friend called me. I was
  stressed out, so I thought why not? Against her
  better judgment, she went to get coffee with her
  friend, a fellow addict. We didnt make it to
  the coffee shop. Instead, they took a detour,
  and she resumed her heroin habit.

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The Road To Recovery

• Eventually Hannahs sponsor had to take her to a
  hospital for detox. Thats when she was given the
  opportunity to come to Bluff Plantation. Shes
  learning some powerful lessons That addiction is
  a disease, that it does not discriminate, that it
  tears families apart.

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• Im sure I would have lost my family eventually.
  Thats the one thing I still feel horrible for,
  is what Ive done to them. They didnt deserve to
  go through that, but Im grateful they stuck it
  out with me, Hannah says. Her recovery program
  gave them an opportunity to reconnect and fix
  the bridges we burned. We have assignments to
  make amends to each other for things weve done,
  she says.

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• Recovery is not just about the substance abuse.
  Here theyre really pushing me and challenging me
  its more about lifestyle changes. We have to
  dig deep and confront those things that cause us
  to relapse. They are helping me find my purpose,
  not just sending me out with a textbook full of
  things Im going to forget.

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The Difference At Bluff Plantation

• The program at Bluff Plantation keeps Hannah busy
  every day, which took some getting used to. We
  exercise every day and learn to replace
  endorphins with healthy things. We go to groups,
  exercise and therapy. After a week I felt better.
  Exercise helps with detox. Also meditative
  movement and yoga. Im learning to be mindful and
  in the moment. Im learning how to live again.

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• Diet is another key part of her recovery. The
  food is low glycemic. Dr. Jacobs informed me
  sugar makes us crave the drugs. I had no idea. We
  eat very healthy, and I feel like Im a
  professional athlete.

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• Ultimately, Hannah is glad she came to Bluff
  Plantation. When Im sober Im much happier. Is
  it hard? Absolutely. But is it worth it? Yeah,
  100 percent.