Ray (Digital Dayhab Graduate)
Observations From Someone That Has Completed Dayhab Online
Ray (not his real name) went through digital Dayhab online with Help Me Stop. He is in his 30s, married and has 2 children and is working, but similar to the majority of people his work has been hit by COVID-19. Ray, like so many of Help Me Stops clients uses alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. Ray called as he felt his relationship with the booze and the drugs was getting out of control and he could see where all this was going to end as it was already impacting heavily on his relationship, his parenting and work. This is Rays story.
Ray’s Story
I came to Help Me Stop at possibly the lowest point in my life. I’d never felt such hopelessness and confusion. I’d lost self confidence because, it seemed, in spite of my very best intentions, my life was falling apart. There wasn’t an area of my life unaffected by my addictions so I decided seek help.
I found Help Me Stop via web search and was quite skeptical initially. I found it hard to believe group meetings and abstinence could be a magic bullet but it was the only thing I hadn’t tried so I decided to give it a go. As cliché as it may sound, Help Me Stop turned out to be the olive branch I really needed. The programme was much more than group meetings and abstinence. There is much be said about working through issues with people that have gone through similar experiences, it’s powerful.
The therapists were very genuine, engaging, encouraging and patient. I found myself in a group with people that would go on to become good friends and comrades in the fight to get our lives back on track. The group inspired me to get involved in other groups outside of HMS as well.
Throughout the process I gradually regained my confidence and self respect, I even reconnected with my own spirituality. Since graduating HMS I’ve continued my sobriety via group meetings and utilising the tools given me by HMS. My family life is better than it has ever been and I couldn’t be more satisfied with my decision to join the programme. I’ve since recommended HMS to several of my close friends as I believe it to be a significant first step towards continued sobriety.
Stopping And Staying Stopped
Rays story is short and sweet and he is still doing well because:
- He accepted that he had a problem
- He swallowed his pride, shame or whatever was blocking him from admitting he needed help and made that call
- He listened to staff that had their own personal experiences of substances but had moved on to get their professional psychotherapy qualifications.
- He stopped fighting and took a leap of faith and put his full trust in the programme.
- He worked the programme hard
- He is not complacent. He realises that drug and alcohol misuse is a chronic relapsing condition so he keeps doing the things that keep him abstinent.
What Are Your Options If You’re Drinking Or Drug Use Is Causing Problems?
Well, the first thing is to get help. Stopping and staying stopped is not as easy as it sounds.
There is no magic pill or magic wand to stopping and staying stopped. There is no quick fix, it takes the right levels and types of support, time, motivation, and hard work.
Giving up alcohol and drugs after prolonged use can be extremely difficult because the body and mind is so used to functioning with the substance. Dealing with a come down is one thing or the regret of your drug and alcohol fueled actions but learning to stop and stay stopped is another.
If you are concerned about your relationship with alcohol or drugs, or someone else’s, and want an effective option to stop and stay stopped then call us now on 0208 191 9191 or jump onto Live Chat/email or contact us.
Help Me Stop’s intensive non-residential outpatient Dayhab drug and alcohol treatment programme is an effective psychological solution that also offers 3 months of free accessible aftercare and family support options. Treatment is delivered face to face either in the mornings or afternoons over 6 weeks.
For those adults who, like Ray, can’t get to our centre in West London we offer a 6-week morning or evening online drug and alcohol treatment programme, run by the same therapists that provide the face-to-face programme. It also offers 3 months of free accessible aftercare and family support options.
Chris Cordell is Help Me Stop’s General Manager and is a senior associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine, Certified International Recovery Specialist, member of the International Society of Addiction Medicine and a member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals.
