In 2021, California saw a staggering 7,175 deaths related to any opioid overdose, with 5,961 of those being specifically related to fentanyl, according to the California Department of Public Health. These alarming statistics underscore the vital importance of the work we do at the Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC). Our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing outpatient treatment services to adults grappling with substance use disorders. Whether a client comes to us voluntarily or is court-ordered, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including in-depth assessments, individual counseling, group treatment, and discharge planning.
Today, we bring you a raw, unfiltered account from one of our clients, whose journey to recovery has been nothing short of transformative:
"I have been trying to find a solution to the problems caused by addiction and procuring illegal drugs for 20 years. I have profound mental issues, which led me to the Philadelphia black market for drugs to alleviate my anguish. In my struggle to escape my dreadful life – longing for death – it made sense that the process would be extreme and involve some element of danger. I discovered buprenorphine about 15 years ago and it was life changing. There was no ‘high,’ but I could evade the horrors of withdrawal. Once I was stable, it seemed the prescription drug did the better part of what I wanted from the opiates. It was a good compromise and would have been a near-perfect option if not for the cost of nearly $500 per month. After many years of taking buprenorphine (with brief periods of using opiates), I reached a point of despair because of non-drug-related tragedies, which left me without the sense and will to care about what happened to me. I began using fentanyl. I used fentanyl for about five years. I managed not to die, but I was still bored and very wounded from the outstanding problems in my life. I began drinking very heavily and eventually ended up in the hospital with heart failure. Through contact with family and an organized recovery effort, I decided to leave my home in northern California and go to the Freedom Ranch located outside of San Diego. When I left the program at the Freedom Ranch, I enrolled with ECS and was placed in a sober living house near SDSU. I have given up a lot for recovery. I miss my material things, but I want to restore my health to move forward in life. I never want to do this again. I feel lucky there was a program and certain individuals to help me, which made all the difference during the more challenging parts of this process. Bianeth Gonzales is the counselor I work with at ECS. She’s good at accomplishing the CBT portion of our outpatient program because she’s conversational and open-minded, which helps people share thoughts that they may not have otherwise. I am thankful for the help I've received and proud of my progress. That, in short, is my story of recovery."
Our client's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of comprehensive care.
Your Role in the Recovery Journey
As we continue to celebrate sobriety anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and other significant milestones in our clients' lives, we invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Prepare lunches, or help us organize events that make these milestones memorable. Your support can make all the difference.
To learn how you can contribute, visit Central East Regional Recovery Center.
Let's join hands to make recovery not just a possibility, but a reality for many more. Together, we can make a difference.
Signed, Thankful CERREC Client
