Vista Bay Graduate, John F.

Completed the Program in 2004

My name is John Foti. I am 35 years old. By the time I came to VistaBay I had abused drugs for 20 years. I was a hopeless drug addict who could not conceive ever being able to quit doing mind altering chemicals. Sure, I tried every other means of quitting I could think of. But I just could never get that elusive physical sobriety that everybody said was possible. Of course, all of the people who said that had never been addicted to drugs. ” From the time I was 13 years old, the longest length of time I was able to stay sober and “put together” was 48 days straight. It has been a long and trying road until May 5, 2005. That was the day that I arrived at Vista Bay.

From the first day here, that little voice in the back of my head that drove me to keep using totally vanished. As I write this, I am currently in the Sauna part of my program and I have been in for 41 days. I have had 5 drug restimulations, 4 pot and 1 LSD. They were not easy to get through, but between the extremely professional staff and caring students, I was able to get through these uncomfortable ordeals. In having walked through these “restims”, I have come to a major conclusion that I can’t stand the feeling of being altered in any way, shape or form. I like the person I am becoming, and I am proud of myself for accepting this new way of life! You see, we are one huge family here from the staff to all the students.

In the five other rehab programs I have experienced, I was the victim and I was made to believe that I was powerless. With the VistaBay program, we are taking responsibility for our past and our future. I would like to thank Vista Bay for giving me the chance to get my life back. I have never felt as good as I currently do, and I intend to keep feeling this way for the rest of my life.

-John F.