Fear… “This short word somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. It was an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through with it”.  From the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous page 67.  
 
Should you avoid treatment because of these fears? As an internal Employee Assistance Representative I see these fears in the faces of those so desperate for help. When employees come to me with substance abuse problems, they seem real hesitant to disclose the full nature of their problem. Aside from stressing the concept of complete confidentiality with a person, I try to alleviate the fear of job loss right from the start. I explain to them how we have safeguards in place to protect them from termination. I then point out how their health care covers the issues dealing with treatment for alcohol and/or substance abuse.  Hospitalization for substance abuse is treated like any other illness that may befall our employees. It is only by the voluntary signing of a release of information form that a supervisor   should know the nature of a person’s hospitalization. Most employees are returned to the same job they were performing before hospitalization. Exceptions can be made in the case of safety sensitive jobs such as Captain of an oil tanker, railroad engineer, school bus driver etc… in which case you would be placed in a comparable position until deemed appropriate.
 
On a personal note, when I disclosed that information in September of 1987, I too had those same fears. Not only did I retain my job but I was a much better employee as a result of treatment. Furthermore, I was able to return to school with an enthusiasm that led to job promotions and better career opportunities.
 
Alcoholism and other drug addictions are potentially fatal diseases if left untreated.  Meanwhile, employees in desperate need of substance abuse services are afraid to seek help because they fear negative consequences from their employer. They may fear losing a license, failing to get promoted or even termination. However, in light of the proven case histories of the consequences in store for an active substance abuser, treatment seems to be the best choice. I urge anyone with alcohol or other substance abuse problems to seek the available help. Sacred Heart has a reputation in the recovery community of providing that help. It is my hope that anyone abusing substances step from the bridge of fear to the shore of faith. Treatment works!

--James Skelton, UAW-GM EAP, ADAPT, JTR REP, Powertrain Warren

Growing up I had a missing link. That link was how to love myself. It disabled me with problem solving. As I grew older my problems were solved with substance abuse. The roller coaster ride began. Clean, straight, clean, straight.

With time it passed. First, I sought help through AA. The pieces to help me still hadn’t been found. AA had let me down. My next approach was outpatient therapy. Sessions were made. Medication was tried. The pieces still hadn’t connected.

December 11, 2007 will be the day to be never forgotten. My despair that day seemed hopeless. The love and support my family provided did not provide that link. How could it? I was the one with the disease. I called a friend and begged her to drive me to where her daughter had treatment. I showed up at Sacred Heart.

In my stay at Sacred Heart challenges were there at my most vulnerable time. Some were good some were horrible. Each member in the house gave me my links towards recovery. That towering wall finally got knocked down. I finally could say “I love Sonia”.

My goal will be to continue with therapy and go back to AA. I have been blessed with a family that has loved and supported me.

Thank you Sacred Heart and thank you to all the clients.

Sonia A.
Age 51

The time I wasted is my biggest regret, spent in these places I will never forget.
Just sitting and thinking about the things I have done, the crying, the laughing, the hurt and the fun.

Now it’s just me and my hard driven guilt, behind a wall of emptiness I allowed to be built.
I am trapped in my body, just wanting to run, back to my youth with its laughter and fun.

But the chase is over and there’s no place to hide, everything is gone, including my pride.
With reality suddenly right in my face, I am scared and alone and stuck in this place.

Now memories of the past flash through my head, and the pain is obvious by the tears I shed.
I ask myself why and where I went wrong, I guess I was weak when I should of been strong.

Living for drugs and the wings I had grown, my feelings were lost, afraid to be shown.
As I look at my past, it’s easy to see, the fear that I had, afraid to be me.

I would pretend to be rugged, so fast and so cool, when actually I was lost like a blind fool.
I am getting too old for this tiresome game, of acting real hard, with no sense of shame.

It’s time that I changed and get on with my life, fulfilling my dreams for a family, to be a wife.
What my future will hold, I really don’t know, but the years that are wasted are starting to show.

I just live for the day when I’ll get a new start, and the dreams I still hold, deep in my heart.
I hope I can make it, I at least have to try, because I am heading towards death and I don’t want to die.

-By, Linzi M., age 24