It's like a bad car accident

[Sophie]

I am surprised at how drawn to this site I am.  Its like driving around the beltway,seeing the traffic jam, hearing the sirens... deciding to not be a rubber necker...but the compulsion is too intense, you just have to look.

I graduated from Springfield 3/91, I married a "withdrawal" from '88.  We were not on our phases together, we met in an NA meeting, he heard me share and knew I was from straight.  I can only imagine what I said to give it away... "I don't want to push out my feelings"  or "I feel trapped" or some such garbage... nonetheless we became fast friends and six years later wed.  A day doesn't go by that we don't reference straight..its not even conscious.  He'll walk behind the couch and "sit me up" or I'll tell him to "face forward" it's so crazy.  It feels like we are war buddies, no one else (except you guys) can relate to it.. our friends often say we have our own language.

I have mixed feelings about my straight experience.  I was over age and signed myself in. I believed that I needed to stop using and didn't know how.  I got sucked in quick and put in a withdrawal once, but got talked out of it by Rob Hockersmith.  I wanted to leave because I wanted to get high.  I haven't used since the day I went to straight, I believe I have the disease of addiction and my NA recovery is very important to me.  Working the steps has given me tools that are invaluable in my ability to function in society.

This is getting too long.  I am so curious about people I was in the program with:
Shane  , Jim W , Shelly... uh, don't remember her last name.  The list is way too long... Craig  , Kathy   blah blah blah...

Ok. Bye
[ This Message was edited by: Sophie on 2005-09-09 19:46 ]

[ladyjerrico]

Nobody I associate with in my life has even heard of the rehab. It's sad but the only people I can relate to are on this site and similar ones like it.
I understand totally, I haven't used since April of 1990 so I feel very good about that and I can focus better and feel real about myself.
I never went to meetings after I withdrew from Straight, I only made it to 2nd phase, staff tried to co-herce me into staying so I could be automatically on 3rd phase after I turned 18, but I told them no because I wanted to graduate high school and move on.
I haven't drank in over a year and I hate the way I feel when I do. So I stick to cigarettes and caffiene..lol.
Anyway, I'm glad to see you are a survivor. Take care

[Cleopatra2U]

Kecia,

You are so right.  It is like a bad car accident.  I'd been away for a year and a half; it's my 2nd day back; and I can't get off this board...  Today I found the posts from summer 2002 and started reading where I left off.  I happened across this post of yours and I know what happened to some of the people you asked about...  Some of my info is dated, but to me, old info is better than no info.

Maybe 'cos I didn't finish high school...  This is the second time in as many years that I have felt the need to connect with people I spent that time with...  Or at least find out what they've been up to...

Anyway, about the people you asked about:

Shane W. married staff member Julie H. in 1992; they moved to California...  She sent me a note back then stating as much; that was the last time I heard from her.

Jim W. ?

Shelly S. ? (she was always so nice -- I too would like to know what has become of her)

Craig S. married Angie F. circa 1994 (give or take a year or two)...  I don't know how, but I got an invitation to their wedding in the mail...  I didn't respond because I was pretty messed up at the time...  That was the last I ever heard from them.

As of summer 2002 (the last time I went looking for fellow "Straightlings"), Kathy H. was living in Maryland with her 1 year old daughter.  Amy H. was living in Virginia with her 3 year old son.

I am not in close touch with anyone from Straight (trying again now) but I did correspond with Amy H. via e-mail for a while; that is how I found out about her and Kathy H....  And I run into Elisa V. every couple of years...  The last time was in summer of 2002, at a medical training facility near where I was working.  She has also had a child and was going to school to become a nurse or something like it.

As for me, I am still single, living and working (as an administrative assistant) in Maryland.  I'd enjoy hearing more from you on here and/or via e-mail.

~ Mindi

[Scott D]

I recognize ..I think some of the people you were talking about especially curious as to Shane W.(was on staff right?) and I can only assume and guess that Sophie is married to Geoff A.? Well, I can only say and hope that everyone you mentioned is doing well.

[Therion]

Welcome back :wave:

[Cleopatra2U]

On 2004-02-04 20:42:00, Scott D wrote:

"Shane W.(was on staff right?)"

Shane was a senior staff member when I was there ('90-'91).  He was one of the nicer staff members (at least to me), as was Julie...  I forget what her exact title was, but she was something like a psychologist.  I think Shane was of American Indian descent.  Julie had long curly hair and glasses.

Sophie is married to Geoff A.?

I've gathered as much from reading this board.  I remember Sophie (Kecia) well as we were on our phases together; I don't remember Geoff at all, but I think he was there before I was.

Well, I can only say and hope that everyone you mentioned is doing well."

Me too...  There were many years when I didn't want to hear from anyone from Straight, but now I am looking, and I too hope that everyone I mentioned and more are doing well.

~ Mindi