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I have recently finished treatment at The Chestnuts. I felt very strongly the need to write a review, as I wanted to  share my experience as an alcoholic/addict attending Steps Together Rehab.

Entering The Chestnuts was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I was at my absolute rock bottom. I was lost and very damaged. I was in a very bad way, I couldn’t leave my sofa other than to buy more alcohol, and had been in the same clothes for over a week. My partner, who I owe so much gratitude and praise to, had the clarity to find The chestnuts. I am so glad she did.

I arrived like a rabbit in headlights. I was starting to detox and the panic was setting in. The staff greeted me and immediately put me at ease. All the thoughts of just running away, just escape…. Just leave…. They immediately went away. Over the first few days I would have those panicked thoughts of…. what am I doing here… but every time you felt unease the team could just sense something wasn’t right and would check on you, would see you were struggling and would have a wonderful way of putting you at ease. There was a lovely nature about the setting and the atmosphere.

Over the course of my stay you would attend workshops, therapy sessions and one to one meetings. The team that ran these were brilliant. My first one to one I broke down in tears. I shared very personal thoughts and emotions… something you could only do in a safe environment led by a great therapist.

Outside of this you would spend time in the living room getting to know the other residents. You would share stories, and the team at the Chestnuts would always be around, they would listen and share their experiences with you. It became a community of support, everyone looking out for everyone else.

I was slowly detoxed off my addiction, I was constantly monitored. I felt safe. At times I would sit in my room to reflect on things that had gone on…. And when I needed to be around people and discuss things, I would step out and head down stairs where there was always a friendly face from the team to talk to.

By the time I reached the end of my stayI had found a group of people who had become my fiends. This was made up of other residents and the team at The Chestnuts. I felt part of a community. The weeks of workshops and sessions had all started to come together. You could see how it all joined up. Things were making sense again. I had my final one to one, my discharge meeting. It was really emotional and moving. I had learnt a lot
about myself…. And know I have a lot more work to do to stay in recovery, but the person I was entering The Chestnuts was someone very different to the person leaving.

I owe so much thanks, praise and gratitude to everyone at The Chestnuts, and to my partner who found this place that helped me so much. It was a scary decision to make, but one that was necessary. I have a long way to go and a long fight ahead… But I have had a solid start and a strong foundation, something I never had for years trying to do it on my own. I now also have the aftercare package that comes with staying at The Chestnuts. Weekly zoom meetings that I look forward to, and a contact number that brings me straight back to the wonderful team at The Chestnuts that I can call 24/7.

Thank you to everyone at The Chestnuts.