Colleen Murray

Review of The Glory House

I thought this would be a good place to help me fi...

I thought this would be a good place to help me find a way to deal with my problems without using alcohol. I had a plethora of things happen to me all at once and I used alcohol as a way to cope. I ended up suicidal and heard about Glory House. I thought it would be a good way to put my head back into a good space. First of all, most of the residents are REQUIRED to be there by the courts or a parole officer. They're "just doing their time" and plan on using when they get out. Many are not sincere about their sobriety. They go to the classes and say the right things, but behind closed doors are just waiting until they can get out and use again. I don't have any issue with them, I met some really great people...and some, not so great. As somebody self-admitted, I was held by the same requirements as demanded by parolee's. As an example, I had been working for 30 years (in my 50 years of life), paid my taxes, did NOT do prison time. I wanted help with my recovery.... yet, if I went on an interview, I had to have the person interviewing me to sign a piece of paper proving I was there. When I got a job, Glory House had to confirm it. This does NOT bode well in a corporate environment. When I'm competing against other executives for a position and I have to have them sign a piece of paper to prove I was there....? Who do you think they're going to hire? Again, I checked myself into Glory House for help with substance abuse, why do i have to prove I went on an interview? Then there is the inconsistency in rules and favoritism. One person had a heating pad in their room all the time, I had to get a doctor's note to use one...and when I did, it had to be in the main area...and I had to turn it in after each use. THEN, when I loaned it to another resident with a broken wrist, we were both reprimanded. Seriously? That is just ONE example of the BS that went on around there. I could provide a laundry list of all the ridiculousness. Secondly, I got more out of one hour a week with an external substance abuse counselor, then the REQUIRED nine hours a week with their internal staff. I NEVER got one sliver of understanding or help with those sessions...and when I was called into work and had to miss a class, I was written up. Furthermore, they made life so difficult there, that all you could do was wish to have a drink (or drug, if that was your choice). They should be taking the time to show you that life can be good without substances, but instead, they made life so difficult that all you wanted to do was get out of there and drink (when I say you, I mean me). Long story short, when I see their commercials about how they're there for you to help with your recovery, I cringe. I DO want to say that the ONE person there, Anita, made me feel like she actually cared about me and my recovery. Overall, this place was miserable. Leave it for the people that are ordered to be there by the courts. If you have a substance abuse issue, find another alternative. This place will keep you sober while you're there, but they don't do anything for your long term recovery. You will get more out of attending AA or NA meetings. DO NOT voluntarily check yourself in...it is not worth it. Find another place,.