Dear DR. Sponaugle and WONDERFUL STAFF:

I am sorry it has taken me so long to write this letter of THANKS. Last November my brother came to me and asked for my help, after 35 years of being an alcoholic, he wanted to sober up. I checked several Detox programs in my area, but none seemed right for him. Thru the years he had tried several programs but none of them addressed the root problem. He always relapsed within a month. Then I saw something on TV at 2am in the morning about your program. I am have been a nurse for 25 years and I know that my brother would not be alive now if not for you program. He was drinking 2 cases of beer a day/plus. His diet consisted of three or four "BITES" of food a day. He was skin and bones. He was unable to go more than 3 hours without a drink before he got the shakes. I knew my brother would not see Christmas. After meeting with you and your staff and hearing what you had to say about adult ADD and alcohol/drugs it all started to make sense. For the first time since my brother was in his teens someone made sense to him. As you may recall my brother started drinking at age 18 after the death of my 7 year old brother whom he was babysitting. My younger brother slipped out of the house and was hit by a car.I feel like you gave me back a brother that I lost years ago. THANK YOU with all my heart. He has been sober for 1 year now and is doing great. I take every opportunity to tell everyone about your program and your wonderful staff. My brother has not missed one follow up visit in a year, this from a man that hadn't seen a doctor in 15 years.  EMPHASIS ADDED

GOD BLESS YOU and your STAFF,

BRENDA. 

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Rhonda Graduate Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:05 am    Post subject: LAST CALL   Just over 7 months ago I was truly facing "My LAST CALL because of alcohol". I was having heart arrhythmias, tremors, sweats, vomiting daily, lab values in a dangerous range; I was dying in the literal and clinical sense. I wanted to understand but didn't, and I was too spent to FIX it myself by controlling and defeating this LIQUID. I was out of energy, spirit and hope. Everyone around me was being tortured by failed efforts, helplessness and confusion. And then I was led to Florida Detox with Dr. Sponaugle and his expert team by my sister Debbie & husband Dave who allowed this miracle to happen! ...Fast forward to now. I am so glad to be ALIVE and WELL. Not dulling or numbing my senses and cherishing each and every day. No cravings just a will to live right and to learn from that dark part of my history.  EMPHASIS ADDED There is a reason for this and time will uncover what that reason is; maybe to give back to others that may be at or very close to their own personal Last Call. I don't know but I am so glad to be awake and alive enough if that reason becomes clear I am capable of knowing it. I am so glad to be back. Good days and bad just like life is supposed to be. It is such a burden lifted not to constantly be lying. That guilt is SO heavy it is like being crushed. Using my brain, not breaking promises, not hiding from the world, all just a small list of daily life I am so grateful for. I am a person who is a skeptic of something that is too good to be true, but the MIRACLE that happened to me at Florida Detox has been even greater than my highest expectations and continues to be for my family also. Dr Sponaugle & Team had the instincts to get to the heart of what was necessary to begin healing. Looking at everything going on with me as a whole person and providing follow through plans to be whole for the future. I will be eternally grateful to all who helped me to get this far and hope I can somehow give back to each and every one of you something as real and priceless as this gift you have given to me. Believe...it is possible! Rhonda   ------------------------------------------------------

 

NO LONGER LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE

 I was just about to start cooking dinner for my family and mix my first drink when I flipped thru the TV channels and landed on The Dr. Phil show last Nov. 2005. The topic was on mothers who abused drugs and alcohol. They were attractive and drove their minivans full of kids to school, music lessons and spend the night parties. BUT, most of the time they were 'under the influence' of their particular addictive drug of choice. My choice was alcohol, Scotch to be exact. My heart began to beat faster and my pulse quickened as I realized that I could no longer deny my addiction.

By day, I was the capable mother, volunteering at 3 schools and even leading bible study groups. But at night, I rationalized that I drank to "cope with raising 3 teenagers". Cocktail hour turned into "Mom's drunk again" and my husband would steer me to the bedroom and I'd pass out. Great example to set for my kids, huh? Each morning I'd have to wonder what I had said to whom and would be filled with shame. I would apologize and vow to myself not to do it again today. For years I tried to stop or control my drinking. I begged God to take away the taste I had developed for alcohol but I continued to drink. There is a verse in the bible that says, "As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool to his folly." I had officially become a fool.

I called Fl. Detox and made an appt. to come in for treatment in Jan. 2006. I drank all through the Christmas holidays, New Year celebrations and up to the night before I checked in to the hospital clinic. My husband brought me with my bags packed and a cashier's check. I brought myself with a heart full of hope and a deep desire to become a whole person. I was sick of wearing two diametrically opposed masks. My life was a LIE and my self esteem was gone.

The staff treated me as if I were an honored guest, not the scum that I thought myself to be. The nurses up on the 7th floor handled my body with gentleness and spoke to me with compassion. I was overcome time and time again by their genuine concern for my comfort and their quick response to my questions or needs.

I have been alcohol free since the day I left the hospital. I have the great good fortune to live about an hour's drive from the clinic and look forward to my monthly follow-up visits. Every day of my sobriety is a precious gift to me and I don't crave alcohol at all. I don't ever want to be that woman again.......I'm whole now. Wearing masks and pretending to be someone I wasn't was just too emotionally exhausting.  EMPHASIS ADDED

God has given Dr. Rick the gift of medical wisdom to accurately diagnose and safely detoxify patients who want to be free from the prison of drug/alcohol addiction. God has put the staff in place to expertly carry out each patient's treatment program during their stay. But most importantly to me, God has gifted Dr. Rick with a heart full of mercy and lovingkindness towards those whom God has entrusted to his care. To this end, I would confidently recommend Fl. Detox to anyone seeking to live a victorious life free from alcohol.

Thank you, Florida Detox, for giving me back my life. May God's favor rest upon you, strengthen you and protect you and your staff in everything you put your hand to.

Dawn 

Dawn Graduate Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 12 Location: An hour's drive from the Florida Detox Facility

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:59 am    Post subject: Sobriety looks good on me....   I have been alcohol free for 1 YEAR and 3 months and can not imagine that I will ever pour that poison into my system again!! Being sober has allowed me to experience life and interpersonal relationships in a way I haven't for approximately 30 years. My soul is free from the toxic shame inherent in my addicted secret-keeping. No more lies - to anyone!! I have lost 30 lbs. and went from a size 12 to a svelt size 6!! My teenage daughter was shocked when she realized I got the second glances in the auto dealers showroom instead of her!! EMPHASIS ADDED I am a whole person now. God has given me my life back through the skilled, compassionate staff at Florida Detox. I am forever grateful! Dawn "Share your Courage, Share your Passion, Share your Commitment" _________________ Whenever you are afraid, trust that God is able to keep you from stumbling and present you faultless before His presence with great joy. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

There are no coincidences.

You were led to this website.

Within lies a gift.

Mine is but one story of millions:

Sadness, having always been my companion, was never so profoundly felt as after the 2002 death of my beloved father and six months later, my wonderful husband of 47 years.

Drowning in tears, pills and alcohol, my wailing continued night after dark, dark night.

Three and a half years later, my daughter, Dawn, saw Dr. Sponaugle on the Dr. Phil Show, and the light "dawned".

Florida Detox has become my saving grace. There is a kindness present amongst the staff that you will not find elsewhere. It is as if you've ... come home.

There I realized the magnitude of body/brain chemistry and the role it plays in our lives. 1. Environmental events can change our chemistry.
2. Chemistry changes our moods and, therefore, our behavior.
3. Surprisingly, no amount of talk therapy can bring peace without proper chemical diagnosis and subsequent treatment implemented.-I ought to know. I am the world champion self-help reader/seeker.

Prior to my Florida Detox experience, doctors had prescribed (guessed at) various antidepressants with little success, as the sadness had continued. But here at this blessed clinic, a thorough analysis of blood work and hormonal systems was done. I was diagnosed with, not only Depression, but also ADHD, Anxiety, and a Hypothyroid and am being treated with specific medications for those disorders. Since then, my ability to focus, complete tasks and remain calm has amazed me. I am no longer weeping. I find interest in others whereas before I was self-absorbed in my grief. Most incredible is that I have no cravings. Can you imagine! I am finding Joy in my life; my energy level is fantastic. I will become a great grandmother in April and hold my own with 30 and 40 year olds in step aerobics, spinning (cycling class) and perform Yoga postures my younger classmates do not manage. (This is where the photo needs to be ,,, smile.) EMPHASIS ADDED

Florida Detox is on the cutting edge in its approach to health; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Most sincerely,

Ann