JastaPlace Drug Rehab

Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That quote pretty much sums up the last 11 years of my life. I had a rough childhood and I knew something was wrong ever since I could remember, I just couldn’t explain what it was. I was looking for something to fix me and I thought drugs were the answer. So I started smoking pot in middle school hoping that would help and at first it did. But within a year I was completely addicted to pot and could not stop. I said I could, but I knew deep down it wasn’t going to happen. As a matter of fact, ive always said I was an addict before I even used any drugs or alcohol.

After a couple years of smoking pot my disease progressed and I was using every drug from heroin to ecstasy. I was doing drugs I said I would never do. All I wanted to do was get high and I didn’t realize whom I was hurting and at the time if you had told me, I wouldn’t have cared anyway. I was a “functional” addict, I was on the deans list at my school an didn’t have many noticeable effects of my drug use. That is until about 2 years ago, then it all caught up with me. I was able to see what the drugs were doing to me, I wouldn’t go to work, I sat around all day on my couch playing video games, I couldn’t remember anything and I was ready to drop out of college with only 8 classes left to finish. Not to mention it was getting harder an harder to support my habit. Not only was it financially draining it was physically and emotionally getting to be too much. That’s when I realized it would be easier to change my life that to maintain my drug habit.

That’s when I made the decision to put myself into a treatment center. I looked at all my options and I knew that if I was going to do this, I was going to do this right. I called treatment center after treatment center asking what they offered, what it would cost and most importantly, I wanted to hear if the people on the other end of the phone really cared. Most treatment centers wanted over 20,000 dollars for the first month and I knew I needed at least 3 months to get the treatment I needed to recover. When I finally called JastaPlace I knew I had found the right place. The price was great, the individualized care and environment they offered their clients was superb and when I talked to them, I knew JastaPlace was the place for me.

I entered the program and jumped head in, like I said before, if I was going to do this I was going to do it right. JastaPlace worked on some key issues that caused my drug use because the drugs were just a symptom of much bigger problems. I did everything that was asked of me and I actually enjoyed myself there. How many people do you know say they enjoyed recovering from drugs, but I did. I know for a fact that had I gone to any other treatment center, I wouldn’t have accomplished as much as I have at JastaPlace. As a matter of fact, I’m the kind of person that would have walked out of a treatment center, I never felt that way at JastaPlace.

I’m back home now and no longer a prisoner of drugs. I can go on vacation and business trips without having to quit for a few days and feel like crap. I enjoy all the small things in life that I used to take for granted. Before I would wonder why people liked the small stuff, the only thing that was fun to me was getting high. But once I got clean and started working my program, I realized the small stuff is what makes life so damn good. I can’t thank everyone at JastaPlace enough what they’ve done for me. If you are ready and willing to change your life for the better, give JastaPlace a call, these people really care.

Pete
Indiana

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Dear Jamie,

I want to thank you again for all you have done to help my son. After six years of heavy drinking, we had given up hope that he would ever be sober. The worst was watching his life spiral out of control and seeing his attempt at a slow suicide. We had tried private counseling and an intervention with two doctors and an AA representative. Nothing had worked. When my son said a year later (after a DUI) that he was ready to try a rehab, I was elated but I didn't know where to go. God was watching over our family because he let me find JastaPlace and Jamie.

I knew this might be our only shot at getting him to try rehab so I wanted to find the best place possible. That is exactly what happened. My son was extremely cynical but Jamie won him over very quickly. He showed progress right away and is now ready to start a new life without drugs or alcohol. He explained to me that Jamie never let him hide from his problems. He forced my son to look at his strenghts and weaknesses and find out the real reasons he drank. But, most importantly, my son knew Jamie really cared. The house became a brotherhood and family for him and they were able to help each other. My son would call Jamie's group meetings as the "real deal". Jamie and all the staff at JastaPlace were there for him at every turn.

My husband and I feel we have a new son with a new life ahead of him. The best part is my son feels the same way. We were so fortunate to have found JastaPlace and Jamie. I truly feel he has a special gift that allows him to reach people and show them a way out of their misery. My husband and I will be eternally grateful. I hope that anyone seeking help for themselves or a loved one will allow JastaPlace and Jamie to work their magic. They have been such a blessing for us.

Sincerely,
Elaine and Steve
Lake Tahoe

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The pain and frustration I was experiencing in my life was unbearable, by the time I completed the program my life was truly changed. The road to recovery would not have been possible without the care and support I received at JastaPlace.

Kristie T.
Northern California

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I started drinking and drugging at age 12. I was a good student and didn’t see a problem w/ smoking pot on a daily basis because my mother did it too. I didn’t graduate High School but put together a professional band that sold over 12 million albums. Being in a band really helped my addictions because people expected this type of behavior from a professional musician. Also, people always wanted to party with the band, so there never was a shortage of dope, weed, and booze around.

Not to make any excuses, but, it is really draining to be on stage and be your best every night, night after night for months. No wonder so many musicians are addicts of one sort or another. The party was great, I am not going to lie, but one day it stopped being fun. I became strung out on heroin, a drug I thought I’d never do even if it was to save my life, but there I was strung to the bone.

I was doing a bunch of speed and a “friend” thought it to be a good idea to use a little H to comedown. I tried it, I loved it, and I couldn’t quit it! It was that quick. I lost my position in the band soon after, because my band mates didn’t understand what was going on with me. I guess I hid it pretty well. Well I got clean and stayed completely clean for a little over a year.

I got my position back in the band shortly there after because the guys saw that I was “all better”. I started smoking pot and drinking w/ my band mates again because I didn’t feel like I had a problem with anything other than speed and heroin. Well by this time my buddie that couldn’t understand why ANYONE would want to do heroin was strung out on that very drug. I tried to help him get clean several times including locking him in my bedroom, sending him to rehabs, physically forcing him to “clean up before tours and occasionally using with him. That’s right; I relapsed about 4 times with my friend/ Band mate.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t do dope again I still did it. Part of me says it was so my friend would “identify” with me as a fellow in the same trouble, but the real reason is that addiction was way more powerful than I.

This lasted for 3 or 4 years. Me continuing to drink and smoke heavily, and him continuing to remain strung out on heroin. Like I said before, one day it wasn’t fun anymore. My best friend finally admitted that he had a problem and cleaned up on his own accord. We were on tour and he came up to me and said, “come on lets go get loaded”, “just one more time.” I tried to talk him out of it knowing how powerful addiction is and not to mention we were going to tour Europe for the first time (big trip). Knowing he would do it anyway we went off and got our own hotel room, still trying to talk him out of it. He insisted I party with him, but I knew better. He fixed in front of me, maybe trying to make me jones, but I didn’t do it. He left for a walk on the beach and I stayed in the room.

It was about 3:00 in the morning and his words started ringing in my ear, “we owe it to ourselves, look at what we have accomplished, we’re the greatest band in the world!” So I got into his bag and fixed up a piece myself. I got loaded, and passed out. I didn’t hear him come back in the room. The next morning I awoke only to find my best friend/ band mate dead on the bed next to me of an overdose of heroin. I vowed to never do drugs again and to this day haven’t done heroin. That was 1996. But here’s the tricky part.

I kept drinking and smoking pot as if their were no tomorrow. I could handle it, right?!?! WRONG! I got married and divorced, lost almost all of my friends, made my family hate me, I was a complete mess. To shorten my story, it was 3 days before Christmas 2006; my brother came to visit me. I was drinking in the bar and went to pick him up at the airport. After picking him up took him to the bar, I blacked out, got into a fist fight with my brother. It got really ugly and I’ll spare the details, just know that what I did to him was insidious.

I don’t even know what started it all. I just know I did a terrible thing to someone I love. We were never to speak to each other again. It was now New Years Eve and was out with my girlfriend whom I wanted to marry and have children with along with some other friends. I got wasted and into a fight with her on the way home. Once again, I did something terrible to someone I love with all my heart and not even knowing why. I hit her in her beautiful face and was running red lights sub consciously trying to kill us both. I woke up out of my black out and saw her face all swollen, jumped out of the car and I sped home.

Once I got home I stuck my shotgun in my mouth, gun loaded, safety off, tickling the trigger. I wanted to die. I really wanted to die. For whatever reason the gun didn’t go off!???? I said 3 words…… god help me. I didn’t even believe in god!! Two days later I got an unexpected visit from my brother and my father. They were worried I was going to die! Coincidence? Maybe. I don’t believe so. They begged me to go to a rehab/ recovery center.

I wanted nothing to do with rehab! I knew what to do. Easy, just don’t drink right? I’ll go to a counselor, I’ll go to anger management, is what I told them. I started to think 30 days in rehab would get to the root of my problems a lot quicker than an hour a week with a psychologist. And really what did I have to lose, I wasn’t an addict or an alcoholic I just had deep rooted issues I needed to get out. So I thought.

This place I went to, JastaPlace was a miracle for me. It is a NO B.S. program! After a 30 day stay I went back home and am well on my way to fixing all of the problems I had. I am now talking with my brother, the one I was never to talk to again! My girlfriend and I are going to get married soon, and start the family that we really want! This is the first time in life that I really am happy and sober!

I am so lucky to have this second chance! But it is not luck; it is working the simple program that I was taught at JastaPlace! Life is good and life is fun and it can be that way for anyone! I will recommend JastaPlace to anyone with a drink or drug problem, BECAUSE IT WORKS!!!

B. C.
Nevada

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It is my great pleasure to wholeheartedly recommend JastaPlace to any person suffering from addiction to alcohol or any other drugs who is seeking treatment for their disease.

March 20 2007 was one of the worst days of my life as my alcoholism led me to truly hit the bottom. Yet it was a very lucky day too, as it is when I made the decision to seek help and enter into a rehab center. Most importantly, I found JastaPlace in Cathedral City, CA, and this is the best thing I did in years.

I checked in 3 days later. After a short 30 days stay there I am no longer the same person. JastaPlace, its team led by Jaime Staggs, and my colleagues in rehab, have given me the strength and tools to face a sober future and a happier and more free life. I am now responsible for my successful recovery and feel ready to make it happen. The wreck that was me a month ago would never have dreamed of this as I was resigned and had given up on myself.

JastaPlace is indeed a very special place. What characterizes it best is respect, love, understanding, and at the same time rigor, discipline, humility and search for deep truths. This is aimed at achieving and maintaining sobriety through reaching a thorough understanding of the roots of one’s addiction.

The program takes a holistic approach to helping addicts. Days are highly structured. They include time for physical exercise, teaching of meditation and healthy living, group therapy sessions, and AA and NA meetings. What I found personally the most revealing is the group therapy sessions. These are conducted twice a day in small groups under the direction of Jamie.

Jamie is a truly remarkable human being. He reads us in depth and makes us read ourselves so effectively. His approach is very direct, extremely fair, and incredibly caring and loving. He made me realize holes I had in my spiritual and emotional life that clearly I was trying to fill with alcohol. It is now up to me to reflect and cope. This gave me my responsibility back.

All my life I had been very self driven, quite individual. I now see how being part of a caring group is very powerful and so helpful. Indeed there is love in these group therapy sessions. Talking to others and listening to others during these intense sessions is an incredible lesson of humility and love. Quite simply, it is a great lesson on life.

JastaPlace is Jamie and his team. All are recovered addicts. All care deeply about us. I have no experience in other addiction recovery programs. But what I deeply know is that JastaPlace works, not only to treat alcoholism and other addictions, but to help live better. It was indeed a privilege to be part of the group, and an honor to get to know Jamie and his team.

B. M.
Boston

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JAIME.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU AND ALL YOUR STAFF FOR HELPING ME CHANGE MY LIFE. I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS A BETTER PERSON INSIDE, BUT THE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL KEPT ME BURIED, UNDER SHAME, GUILT, AND DEPRESSION. SINCE LEAVING YOUR PROGRAM, WITH THE HELP OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN, I HAVE RETURNED TO WORK, AND AM ENJOYING A SOMEWHAT NORMAL LIFE THAT IS COMPLETELY NEW AND WONDERFUL! I WISH ALL WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOLIC/DRUG ADDICTION, AND DEPRESSION, WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO THRU THE LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE YOU OFFER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH MY FRIEND.

WITH ALL MY LOVE,

MIKE C.
So. California