Morningside Testimonials
“Morningside Recovery: an Opportunity of a Lifetime!
In February, I pleaded for God to take my life because I could not continue using and living the way I had lived any longer. He gave me the gift of desperation! Something miraculous happened! I was on my knees begging for my life and two days later I was on my way to Morningside. I was afraid and did not want to leave my son in New Orleans but I knew this chance might not ever come again.
I am 43 years old and my life of addiction lasted 31 years. I had no permanency of sobriety. With trips to ten rehabs, seventeen detoxification units, five ICU visits, and two halfway houses my life was the only normal one I knew. I tried many times to stay clean and sober. With various lengths of sobriety, I always remained in pain and eventually returned to my best friend, my active addiction.
My issues were more than my addiction; I suffered from untreated bipolar disorder, PTSD, and trauma from sexual abuse. I grew up in a home that kept many secrets and life was never consistent so emotional safety was out of the question. Until I arrived at Morningside, all the previous treatment facilities never provided a program to address all the areas that were pertinent for me to live!
Morningside’s individualized treatment model addressed all of my needs. I was able to confront all of my pain and trauma. I am not the scared, devastated little three-year-old inside as I was when I arrived. I no longer abandon myself and participate in destructive behavior. I finally have grieved the life I lost as a child and can live free of anger and hurt! The family program taught me that I, like many, grew up in a wounded family and I can stop the cycle for the love of my life, my son Cass. It’s never too late to change the dynamics and provide a safe and loving family for Cass and me.
The staff at Morningside provided a safe and unique environment where healing could take place. I had never felt special or self-worth and the staff gave me the love, patience, and care I needed until I could find it for myself.
My life today is one I dreamed of. I am an active participate! I am free! I have had a personality change through taking action and working hard that has enabled me to practice and learn faith, love, tolerance, self-worth, and integrity!
Today I am living a life that is of worth and purpose. My solutions are no longer in a drink or a drug. I have learned a new way of life. I not only feel like a new person I am in fact not the same person. I live each day to the fullest and without the threat of active addiction because I have been taught by Morningside where the solutions lie to any problems that may arise today!
Against all odds! I have been able to re-create a life that is beyond any life I could have imagined for myself and most importantly a life of dignity and worth! Learn it! Feel it! Live it!
Thanks Morningside, I will be forever grateful for my new life.”
Kelli K.
“I thought my therapist was phenomenal; I’ve had a lot of experience with therapists and she’s right up there. She was very knowledgeable, very positive, which was helpful.
I took away a lot of knowledge of new things that I can work with when I get home. I have a new perspective on sobriety. Sobriety is easy and Morningside taught me that. It just requires daily work. The overall scheduling was good. There was always something to do. I got my motivation of life back. I addressed my core issues. I understand at a deeper level where my triggers are. I made new friends and I learned to trust, have compassion, and tolerance. I learned how to slow down and be present in the moment.”
Doris K.
“My therapist was probably the most real therapist I’ve had. I like and respect her tremendously.”
Katherine T.
“I think Morningside was a great opportunity to really focus on myself and it gave me the opportunity to figure out what I want to do with my life. I accomplished my daily yoga practice; this has been transformational. I’m much more grateful and appreciative overall. I’ve accomplished a sense of wisdom.
My therapist is wonderful. She’s done more work in 30 days than 60 days with my other therapist. She is very caring and I think it ties into her being a Yoga teacher. She is very empathetic. She has helped set boundaries and helped with self-reliance. She’s very inspirational. She leads the core group well. She’s very responsive. She’s very respectful. She tries to heal. I’d recommend for anyone.”
Katie Z.
This gave me the opportunity to take some time out for me to soul-search to identify healthy things, identify emotions and feelings. Finding a true, sober perspective. I built a solid foundation in sobriety. It’s allowed me to prioritize my life. Morningside supported my efforts to grow spiritually and experience a religious reawakening.”
Forrest N.
“I started out on the wrong foot with a poor attitude, but I was given the tools and the concepts to change my life and I learned to take advantage of this. I think that most of the staff would agree that I’m a much better person than the one that walked through these doors. I appreciate this program immensely for the opportunity provided me. I got through some tremendous difficulties from my past and I learned how to manage my depression and anxiety without the help from drugs and alcohol and that’s huge. I learned how to have a much better relationship with my family. The Family Program was absolutely fantastic! It was a nerve-racking experience but I felt Kenneth and the rest of the staff did a great job explaining to my parents the changes that they would have to make in order to better the relationship with the family. I think that was one of the best experiences I had at Morningside.”
Rob S.
“Morningside was the place that helped me get sober. Mike was an awesome houseparent.”
Connor K
“Morningside is a good place to learn how to live life on life’s terms. It’s not a lockdown facility. You have enough freedom to learn from mistakes. The therapists are amazing.”
GS
“The program was bloody brilliant!”
Alex C.
“I feel Morningside saved my life.”
Julie A.
“I have grown so much. I used to isolate and not talk to people. Now I’m more social and it comes more natural.”
Karen F.
“It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I feel I grew a lot and have a chance at staying sober.”
Kevin K.
“I did the family program twice. I loved it both times and think it was a great help for my loved ones.”
Kenneth N.
“The dual diagnosis helped me figure out things I wasn’t fully aware of. And the activities were awesome. I really enjoyed almost all of the activities.”
Tanner P.
“I feel a 100 times stronger and happier. I’ve grown and matured a lot.”
Megan L.
“I was very skeptical at first, but then I came to love my experience here. I got my health back, and my head is straight. I have a new perspective on life. I’m motivated to live now.”
Shamus D.
“I feel phenomenal. I feel fabulous. For me, this is definitely a jump start to get me on my horse with 30 days. I took away a lot of knowledge of new things that I can work with when I get home. I have a new perspective on sobriety. Sobriety is easy and Morningside taught me that. It just requires daily work. I got my motivation for life back. I addressed my core issues. I understand at a deeper level where my triggers are. I made new friends and I learned to trust, have compassion, and tolerance. I learned how to slow down and be present in the moment.”
Nicki S.
“I have an academic plan now. That was my main focus and that’s what I did.”
W.M.
“With the help of MAI I finished my classes for once. I made a lot of friends. I improved my relationship with my family and friends at home. I built up my self-confidence and self-esteem. I learned how to stay sober and I know what it’s like to have some sober time.”
Kayleigh K.
“Equine therapy was really good. It’s nice to get out. It’s very interesting. We did a thing with personal space that was enlightening. Mickey was great. We learned about risk, trust, boundaries, comfort zone, and team building.”
Adriane C.
“I can’t even remember how I felt when I came in. Now I feel like I am responsible, I get to put things into action. Being able to take dance classes again was probably the highlight of my experience here. I liked being here for I what came here for, which was to learn how to transition back into life, like learning how to shop and being in public with others, having a cell phone, learning how to maintain my personal space. Basically having the freedom of knowing that I could get high but choosing not to. Having some experience being out in the world on my own for moments at a time.”
Allison W.
“I think I’m a completely different person. I didn’t relapse. I don’t have any compulsions. I asked for help when I needed it. I utilized all of the tools here. I feel pretty good. I learned how to love myself. I learned how to deal with the PTSD and forgive. I worked the 12-steps and the amends process was amazing. I feel pretty ready to get out there. I mastered the “no” -- I know how to take care of myself.”
Anna W.
“I have so appreciated my time at Morningside. I learned a lot. If you actively seek what you need, this program offers everything; it’s all here. I learned how to properly react and deal with my feelings. I learned a lot about the disease. How to make good decisions through difficult times. Being very mindful.”
Matt V.
“I came in hopeless and suicidal and now I’m grateful and I have a lot of hope. I gained insight into my own life and learned the life-skills to be a happy and a successful person outside of treatment.”
John P.
“The structure provided was priceless. I achieved sobriety, got a sponsor, and learned how to ask for help. I learned that sobriety is simple, but it’s one day at a time. All it took was changing my attitude and being positive.”
Susan O.
Testimonials
