January 2nd, 2009

Graduation Speech

I want to start by saying that coming here to A Forever Recovery was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  From the day I came here to take a tour, I knew that there was something about this place and that it was exactly where I needed to be.  When I learned more about the program, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to put in all of the hard work and effort needed to get through it, but now that I have, I couldn’t be happier with the results.  I had been to rehab a few times before this, and I never actually learned anything about myself like I did here.  I thought that I just had a drug problem, but now I know that it was so much more than that.

I’d like to thank all of the staff here for everything they have done for me during my stay here.  I can’t even begin to express how great you have all been and how comfortable you have made me during this very uncomfortable process.  This goes for the clients too.  I have formed a lot of great friendships here and have learned so much from every one of you.  You have each helped me in some way and I thank you all for caring enough to do so.  And for the newer clients, I know this program is hard, but I promise that if you stick it out, the results will be worth it.

I can definitely say that I will never forget this place or any of the people I have met here.  This has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I will truly miss this place and everyone here.  A good friend of mine here once told me that Addiction is the only prison where the key is on the inside, and I’m proud to say that this program has helped me finally find that key.  It has also taught me not to dwell on all the things I’ve done and all the people I’ve hurt.  I hated myself for all of these things, but now that I know that I am a good person, I can finally begin loving myself again.

Now that I have the tools I need to live life happy and drug-free, I finally feel ready to go out and not only live my life, but kick it’s butt while I’m at it.  And now that I am about to walk out these doors, I’m going to leave all of the doubt I have here with the counselors, just like they told me to.

I want to thank A Forever Recovery for giving me a chance to change my ways, for showing me the good person that I am today, and most of all for saving my life.  I walked in here feeling like a boy still, and now I will leave having grown into a man.

-Lucas L.