Family Consultation

By the time an addict seeks professional help, the family has been through a lot of emotional ups and downs. We do everything possible to make the transition into treatment as smooth and workable as possible.

In the same way that an addict's drug use negatively affects those around them, their rehabilitation positively affects them. This is also true of the emotional states of their friends and family.

Vista Bay has counselors on its staff whose sole purpose is to keep families updated on the progress of their loved ones. They can help the family work through any issues that may arise during treatment.

I can't believe it has been a week since I first came to visit. I was quite impressed with the facility. Sending my young son to an unfamiliar place was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make in my life. Talking with the staff before hand and reading about the program online, I made the decision to send him.

I came to visit after approximately three and a half weeks and was extremely impressed with what I saw. I could not believe how warm, comforting, reassuring and positive I felt there. The staff and the students got along so well, that I could not tell the staff from the students. I liked the fact that everyone there knew what was expected of them and was doing course work, chores, without a second thought.

I was invited to attend the graduation celebration that evening. Wow, did I love what I heard and saw. I was further inspired with the program components. I can hardly wait for my son to complete the upcoming books. I heard so many students discuss how they have never felt better in their lives than they do right now! I could see the changes in my son already. The other students were friendly and very positive in their outlook at life. They kept reaffirming how great my son is and the importance of education. I truly knew I had made the right decision to send my son here. In fact, I think it will be difficult for a student to leave such a program where you truly feel desired, wanted, respected, and valued! I can see why many chose to want to work here upon completion of the program.

I was glad I came for a visit and know my son is in the right environment! I will leave his care to you and will be back for his future graduation.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

-Michael's Mom

Three years ago, he started experimenting with marijuana and alcohol, which seemed okay because after all, both his brother and I had done this, and we quit. Also, I was thankful it was just pot and alcohol; at least it was not pills. About a year later it was pills and while I thought that was bad, thank God it wasn't methamphetamine. I felt so much to blame for allowing this and ignoring the signs showing me he wasn't going to outgrow this. Then he eventually started using meth.

I bought him clothes, moved him to a new town, put him in college, paid his bills, begged him to quit, threatened him, screamed, cried, and prayed to God for help. Nothing helped, if anything, he got worse. He wrecked vehicles, got tickets, lost jobs, lost a house and charged up debts. He threw temper tantrums and went through about 8 cell phones in 3 years.  However he was smart; about the time he knew we had had enough and were about to toss him out on the streets, he would straighten up and be good, work hard. He was good at this and I fell for it every time.

In September of 2004 he got a new truck (grandma co-signed) and all was going well. Had a good job, showed up for work, saved a little money, stayed home and ate supper with us, and actually seemed like our old son. This time I didn't fall for it, usually before the storm it gets calm. I had prayed for about 2 years for God to just zap him and make him well. That never happened.

On Sept the 20, 2004 I prayed to God for whatever it would take, even jail or getting busted. I could handle anything but the drug scene. On October 8, 2004, BOOM: rainy day, no work and a big paycheck. I began calling about 10am, no answer… not a good sign. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone called and told me he was dead, in jail, or in the hospital. He eventually called. He had wrecked his new truck and needed help.

To make a long story short, his boss gave me a number, Vista Bay. I called and my son went on the internet and found the Vista Bay website. Well now if any of you have ever looked up drug rehab you will see there are 100,000's. It was not luck he found Vista Bay, it was God answering a 3 year old prayer of mine.

The sauna program is wonderful, but the life books are what impressed me. I knew he could quit drugs, it was dealing with everyday life that he had trouble with. As he went through each book, he became more positive, happy, confident, and was back in control of his life. He learned to bury the past, concentrate on the future, and depend on himself alone.

I am forever indebted to Vista Bay and all the staff. He came home better than he was even before he started using drugs. If you have a loved one using drugs, don't put off getting them help.

-Cindy B. (mother of Vista Bay graduate)