A path to recovery: Paul's Story

The balanced mix of work, activities and support at Hope Springs Therapeutic Community has helped Paul on his recovery journey. Here he shares his experiences and his plans to use them to help others.

This is my third time in rehab – I have had 25 years of meth addiction.

At the end of 2017 my marriage broke down. My wife and I had been together for 18 years and I really went downhill after that. To be honest my relationship was partly fuelled by addiction as well.

In 2019, I woke up on my 40^th birthday behind a service station in Esperance. I knew I need help, so went to the hospital and asked for help, and they booked an appointment with Hope in Esperance. I went to the appointment, and they said: “Have you heard about Hope Springs?” I really needed somewhere to be.

Finding HOPE

At that time the place was based more on the San Patrignano model, which is much more about therapy through work. I was not really ready, but also I think the model was not the sort of help I needed. It was very different to the programs and therapy offered now.

I spent 7 months in rehab and then went away and within a month I had relapsed again. At the very beginning of this year (2022) I went to try again. I left after three weeks – because again I really wasn’t ready.

Then in April, I rang up and asked if I could come back and I have been here ever since.

The therapeutic community program they have now is a more balanced program. They have exercise and work and group sessions and individual therapy. I think it’s a very well-rounded program. Plus, the staff themselves are amazing – they truly are an inspiration in the way they support and help the residents.

I’ve been here since April, but I’m in no hurry to complete the program. My goal is to finish my last three months.

Recovery is not for people who need it, recovery is for those people who want it. If you do not want it, you will never get it. When you surrender to that you will start getting better.

A new future

Right now I am facilitating residents meetings and facilitating support group. For me this isn’t about having residents acknowledge me in any way, it’s more about people listening to me and knowing that I get it, and that I can help them get through some difficult times. Because it is bloody hard.

I have also want to start studying to become a peer worker. I think there is nothing better than having someone who has been through this stuff working with others to help them through the same stuff. I will work my way through the processes, and hopefully I will be able to help other people as well.

I think I will likely stay in Geraldton. I’m from Kalgoorlie, but I won’t go back. Up here I get to start again. I’m feeling lucky that anyone up here will only meet this version of me.