You get all sorts of people at rehab, which is all part of the fun I suppose. Amongst others, we have here an Australian celebrity, a military intelligence officer with PTSD, a Hollywood stuntman, an accountant, a Satanist, a cowboy, a reformed bank robber, people with everyday jobs, and me. To say it’s a mixed crowd would be the understatement of the year. But a common theme runs through all of our lives: the black, damaged vein of addiction, a thing that comes laced with heavy doses of self-loathing, depression, overwhelming anxiety and other dark brews. That’s the bad news. The good news is that sharing these matters as we do, allows us simply to be ourselves and talk and joke about the matter without fear or shame. There are, it has to be said, people here who have done some pretty terrible and tragic things, and I include myself amongst that number. But without fear of judgement, we chat, joke, say ‘You fucking did WHAT?!’ and then move on to a game of table tennis or something, without further ado. As for myself, I’ve befriended the bank robber who also happens to be a champion boxer (useful mix), and he’s teaching me the fight game. My lanky frame allows a good reach and with quite a bit of practice I now have a jab worth avoiding. Just get that upper cut and left hook going and I’ll leave this place with the Lonsdale Belt. Or aching muscles and a tough and loyal new friend at the very least.
In other developments, one of our number left today. She was the first to reach Julius Seizure when he had his fit outside the swimming pool the other day. He later recalled that, of all the people he knew were there for him, he could only remember her face, looking at him calmly, reassuring him, making sure he wasn’t choking and so on. He was visibly moved by the memory of her compassion and practicality in his moment of need. Such is the nature of a situation where people who would never normally meet are thrown together and asked, with help, to help themselves and each other. Cowboy, Satanist, soldier, whoever, ultimately we’re all the same and we’ve got each other’s back.
One day at a time.
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