“Sticking to my doctor’s advice, I was able to free myself.” He was also able to address psychological issues underlying his addiction, including an anxiety disorder that had dogged him for years. In February, 2016, Gant began outpatient treatment at Lima UMADAOP. “It was a real eye-opener and I was able to build on the things I had started at Ridgeview. We were held accountable, with unannounced drug tests to make sure we were staying clean. And, my knowledge of addiction and why I got into this position greatly improved.” Now in the final phase of outpatient treatment, Gant attends group therapy sessions once a week, along with Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Each of the recovery tools Gant received in treatment was important, but he feels he got the most benefit from group sessions with UMADAOP counselors and recovery coaches “teaching us how to live in balance, and becoming aware of underlying mental disorders or other conditions that might affect our recovery. UMADAOP did a great job helping me understand the cycles people get into on the path of addiction,” says Gant, who has been prescribed a combination of Lexapro and Vistaril to control his anxiety. Gant says he really appreciated the combination of structure and 24-7 support provided by living for a year in a UMADAOP recovery house at 576 Cortland Avenue in Lima. “It was like a family setting; I became extremely close to the four other recovering gentlemen who lived there. We were all responsible for house cleaning, taking care of the yard and getting our own groceries.” “When people get addicted, they tend to fall away from normal society and stop taking part in the day-to-day things you need to do to stay healthy and happy. UMADAOP put a lot of effort into showing us the right way to get back on track. You can only stay on the sidelines for so long; eventually you have to get back in the game.”
A new environment Gant is currently living in a “step-up house,” still connected to the program, but with more freedom to go to work or school during the day. He has a job driving other UMADAOP clients back and forth to recovery meetings and keeping them company. Gant is looking forward to returning to school this fall, with plans to earn an MBA at the University of Northwestern Ohio University. Looking back at how far he has come in recovery, Gant is grateful for the life-saving help he received from the people at UMADAOP. “The greatest advice I received was to get out of the environment I was in as an addict. Otherwise, it’s too easy to fall into the same patterns.” “I had tried hundreds of times to quit on my own. But heroin addiction is so serious, you need to get out of that environment, long enough to get the proper therapy, education and medications.” “My knowledge of addiction and why I got into this position greatly improved.” -Reggie Gant 31
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