Category: testimonial

RHA Helps Person Supported Achieve His Goal of Owning Chickens

Alan, a person supported by RHA in Tennessee, recently achieved a longtime goal of his by becoming a caretaker to his very own flock of chickens.

At RHA, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) work closely with the people they support to identify and achieve individual goals. While goals look different for every individual, one person supported by RHA in Tennessee named Alan had a particularly unique goal.

“When I first met Alan, he told me that he wanted some chickens to raise,” said Brandon C., a Direct Support Professional who works with Alan. “The first home he moved into, the landlord didn’t allow them– but I promised him that he would have them one day!”

Brandon and one of his Direct Support staff members, Ramona, smile while Brandon holds one of his chickens.

Alan recently moved to a new location where he found out he was allowed to keep chickens.

“His dream of owning his own chickens came true! He purchased a good size coop to keep them in and he tends to them daily,” said Brandon.

By all reports, Alan has been an excellent caretaker to his chickens, and has even been enjoying collecting eggs to use weekly.

If you’re interested in helping people like Alan achieve their goals, then join the team at RHA as a Direct Support Professional! Visit us at rhajobs.com to view available positions near you, or learn more about the role.

 

A Way Out of the Darkness: Wilmington Substance Use Services Testimonial

The journey to recovery is unique to every person, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to support. Below, one participant in RHA’s SAIOP substance use services in Wilmington, NC, shares their recovery experience:

March 24, 2021, may seem like a normal day for the majority of people but for me it was the first day of my journey to recovery and sobriety. I spent three years in a vicious cycle of drug use that controlled my life. I was unable to save myself from the hold that heroin had on me. I struggled to take back my life. Throughout the last year of my addiction I was searching for a way out of the darkness of addiction and back into the light, but I was unable to find the help I needed.

In the beginning of March I overdosed, and it took six doses of Narcan to bring me back to the world. It took me days to process this, but it made it clear I needed to find help to overcome my addiction. I finally moved back into my family’s home and they began to help me search for ways to get me help. I was in withdrawal and two days later I was checked into The Harbor detox facility in Wilmington run by RHA Behavioral Health Services.

After I finished my stay at The Harbor and went for further treatment at RHA I went into SAIOP at RHA, and they have truly changed my life. Through group sessions you are able to find your way back into control of your life and talk openly with like-minded individuals for the support needed to maintain your sobriety. RHA has guided me through one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. They are continuing to guide and support me through sobriety.

RHA has many different ways to support a recovering addict. They have doctors to help with medication maintenance and counselors for group and one on one sessions. They are able to assist addicts in ways an addict may not know that they need. The employees of RHA are the most amazing people. Without RHA I would have never made it to four months sober, and have the tools necessary to help me maintain my sobriety to make it through my first year and many more years to come!

group therapy for substance use

 

What is SAIOP?

RHA offers Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Services (SAIOP) to people struggling with addiction to substances such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and opioids. This program is offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three hours a day. Most of our sites offer morning and evening groups to better meet your needs. SAIOP provides you with the opportunity to participate in group therapy, drug screening, education, and development of healthy coping skills. Our goal is to help you live a healthy life without the use of drugs and alcohol.

Learn more about RHA’s mental health and substance use services in Wilmington.