Choosing addiction recovery was one of the hardest and most important decisions I’ve ever had to make. I knew I needed help but it was very important to me that I found the right place to receive that help. I very briefly tried another facility and found their services to be a poor fit for my needs. After leaving there I was fortunate enough to be referred to New Entra Casa by a previous graduate.

 

Upon my arrival at NEC I immediately felt a sense of being in the absolute right place. I would be lying if I said I was thrilled about it at first. Despite my certainty that I was exactly where I belonged I was so rebellious, so manipulative, so entitled and so resistant to the treatment I knew I so desperately needed. I was an over intellectualizing, rigid, self righteous, self victimizing brat! Through the compassion, empathy, understanding, patience (oh so much patience!) and guidance of the staff and my counselor I was able to become the person I had buried under self abuse and addiction and had fervently tried to deny the existence of and avoid for so many years. I received personalized one on one care and was treated with such dignity and kindness that I was able to work through my self justifications and harm. NEC has been a hand I can always reach for in the dark, a safe harbor in a restless sea, a barrier against the darkness and shelter from the storm of myself. Through their program I was able to find my way back to my higher power that for so long I cursed and blamed for abandoning me. I have learned invaluable life skills, mindfulness, self compassion, community connection and a gratitude that aids me in navigating each and every day. I have met and learned from some of the most beautiful souls who are so passionate about this community that they have become both an inspiration to me and people I admire so deeply that I aspire to posses the same qualities, energy and dedication. My counselor has spent countless hours working with me (and I sure didn’t make it easy!) and through her belief in me I am blessed to believe in myself.

 

I have a confidence and self assurance I never could have imagined possible. NEC is such a lovely, unique and deeply committed program, it has given me gifts to numerous to list and inspired me to move in gratitude in all things and give unto others as has been given to me. Every day when I look in the mirror I see a living testament to the beautiful things NEC has helped to make possible. 

 

JessiMae Tapang