Like roughly half of Cenikor’s clients, I was referred through the judicial system, and even though it wouldn’t have been in my best interest to leave, I could have left at any time.
I became a heroin junkie when I was 14 and stayed that way until I was in my early 30s. By the time I entered Cenikor, I had spent over a decade in-and-out of prison. People with my history of substance use and legal trouble need a long-term solution. If I received treatment for 30-to-60 days like most rehab programs, there’s no doubt I would have been back on the streets doing heroin again as soon as I was out.
On top of that, Cenikor’s 2-year therapeutic community program is a holistic behavior modification program that not only helped me recover from substance use disorder but also helped me build the work and life skills I needed to be a functional, productive adult.
One of the best outcomes of my time in their program was the strong sense of work ethic I developed. Working is part of the program, which is ideal for people like me who have a hard time finding employment because of various life choices. I gained experience from the many jobs I had while I was there – including the scaffolding company I work for today. Cenikor provided me a unique opportunity for job placement, while still allowing me to undergo holistic treatment.
When I entered the program, everything I owned was in a trash bag. By the time I left, I had $10,000 in the bank, a vehicle and a house to fall asleep in. I’ve been sober for 8 years and am a happy, successful man – surrounded by healthy, positive people – because of the choice I made to get help from Cenikor. It was the best choice I ever made.
Let's Do This!