Comments on: An Alternative to Jail

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:24:18 +0000

When I first read the information about this place I had know idea how it was going to turn out. It had to be better than prison, so I took the first step admitting that I needed help. This program gives you tools you need to keep this disease under control. My faith has increased tremendous because I now have a god in my life today, and thats something I never had before. You just need a little willingness to get started.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:04:26 +0000

Well for me I ended up coming to rehab because there was a choice given to me, “either you go to rehab or you go to the street.” For me I knew what the street would entail, I would immediately have to pick up an extremely criminalistic lifestyle in order to support the habit I had been using my parents to support for years. So knowing that that would inevitably kill me or have me locked away for what would more than likely an extended period of time, I chose to come to Gatehouse Academy. almosty 11 months later I have to say that this has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. I just finished my third workshop with my parents and I think that my relationship with them is not only healed but is now in a position to be better than it ever has been before. will never be together

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:58:11 +0000

I am very grateful that I was given the chance to go to treatment at the age of 26. I had been to jail before and Juvenile hall a couple of times and it didn’t seem to help for more than a couple of days. Fear sobered me for a bit, but couldn’t keep me sober for good, I had to find a new way of life through character building and finding a healthy set of values to live by. I received the needed help for that at Gatehouse. They provided me with the prospect of a principle centered life that I would want to live, a real solution through a 12-step recovery process that has proven itself to work in even the roughest of times, not just when “everything is going great”. Even when everything in my world appears to be going wrong, I have the hope to trust that if I follow the right path and persevere that thing’s will work themselves out for the better over time, and the insight to see that life is great right now.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:29:47 +0000

When a legally motivated addict lets go of the fear that getting honest will take them back or keep them in jail, they begin to feel the inner freedom that comes from living honestly. Living in that fear keeps us locked up tight in the Prison inside of us, and surrendering to recovery sets us free, even when locked in a cell…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:14:51 +0000

I think drug court is nothing but drug education. I went to drug court at 18 and used the day I got out. It did not look at the real problem which was me and my behaviors which Gatehouse focuses on. I also did not want to quit at the time. I had to want something different and then work on the real problem which was not the drugs. Gatehouse helped me to see that and tackle it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:49:07 +0000

Looking back at the insanity that was my life, I am fortunate that I was able to avoid spending any time in jail. My decision to attend Gate House Academy and commit to recovery prevented me from continueing the insane behaviors that would have led me to a jail sentence. I look at my recovery as having simply begun before I was forced by the courts to consider recovery, something that would have inevitably happened any way. It’s good to see that the legal system is granting people a chance to recover instead of serve jail time. Those that take advantage of such an opportunity are people like mysel; people that need that need the opportunity to learn about the disease they have, people that truly deserve that second chance.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:47:02 +0000

Looking back at the insanity that was my life, I am fortunate that I avoided jail time. My decision to attend Gate House Academy and commit to recovery prevented me from continueing the insane behaviors that would have led me to a jail sentence. I look at my recovery as having simply begun before I was forced by the courts to consider recovery, something that would have inevitably happened any way. It’s good to see that the legal system is granting people a chance to recover instead of serve jail time. Thos that take advantage of such an opportunity are people like myself, people that need that need the opportunity to learn about the disease they have, people that truly deserve that second chance.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:39:49 +0000

One thing that is cool about recovery is that the majority of people who stay in the program do so by choice. Many of the oldtimers in recovery keep coming back because they like the results of being sober and want to carry that message to other people in recovery. I wish I could honestly say that I thought going to jail offers the same kind support but……..

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:18:23 +0000

I thought starting a family would get me sober but that was not the case. After going to five different treatment centers, in and out of jails, and making promises to the wife that I would change my ways was not enough. I kept trying to do it for the wife, kids, judges, and parents. I had to want do it for me. Like they say anything you put in front of your program you will eventually lose, and that was definitely true for me, I lost everything and I could not see much reason for living. I am facing 30 years in prison, going through a divorce, haven’t not seen my kids in a year, being sued for 1 million dollars, lost business, a house, my reputation and money. Then I decided to come to Gatehouse and now I’ve learned to put the tools of the program into action. I am happier today than I’ve been in a long time and have hope for the future. I guess you can say I’ve got my zest back for life. If it were not for this program I would be dead or in jail. I truly believe that my Higher Power led me to where I am today.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:51:54 +0000

Maricopa County(Phoenix)is priding itself with it’s new campaign for drinking and driving. They broadcast on the radio and TV that you will have your mug shot put on a web site if arrested for DWI.I wonder how much we would all benefit if the public was educated to the simple truths and strengths of AA the father of all 12 step programs. I consider it one of the bigger discoveries of my life