News from Cornerstone of Southern California

Good afternoon!

Here are a few testimonials from past clients and client family members about our diverse and individualized programs here at Cornerstone!

Cornerstone has increased our affiliate medical staff by welcoming aboard two new physicians to our outstanding team as well as three licensed nurses. We are also proud to offer new activities in recovery like yoga classes, our New Music Therapy sessions with instructor, AmyLynn Dimaano, and also our Native American Healing Circle which connects spirituality with recovery! We are very proud of our recovery programs here at Cornerstone and continue to add new and exciting activities!

Read on and hear what is being said about Cornerstone of Southern California!

Cornerstone has been vital in my journey through rehabilitation from my alcoholism. I was admitted to Cornerstone by way of an intervention of my adult daughters and with the help and support of Cornerstone staff. In the beginning I was amazed and bewildered by the kindness and respect with which I was treated. At the time, I was so sick in my disease that I  certainly did not believe I was worthy of it. The care I was given through my detox was nothing short of a gift from God. They held my hand and cared for me until I could physically begin to care for myself and begin the long process of recovery. The staff has the patience of saints and really care about the clients. Each clients program is customized to fit their individual needs and they are so “solution oriented” it is incredible. Counselors and staff are always available and the education I received pertaining to addiction, recovery and relapse prevention is excellent.  One of the awesome things about Cornerstone is that they recognize that addiction affects not only the addict/alcoholic but the entire family. Cornerstone encourages the participation of family and other support members to participate in the recovery process as well. Cornerstone provided a physically and emotionally safe environment for me to begin to heal and learn the tools I would need to use in my recovery. I would recommend Cornerstone to anyone and if I had to do it all over again I would………And in fact I did.  Part of my recovery has been plagued by relapse and i was welcomed back to Cornerstone with open arms despite my miserable self-inflicted humiliation and devastation. I’m a slow learner in this process but Cornerstone has never given up on me. I have gone through nearly all phases of their program from my initial medical detox, to their extended care program, Intensive outpatient, family program and  I now am happily residing in one of their sober living houses as I am 9 months sober. Thanks to Cornerstone I am working with a sponsor in AA, working full time and continue to participate in their aftercare program.  I would never have been able to begin to learn how to live without alcohol if not for the education support and direction of Cornerstone. My undying gratitude to Dr. Stone and His staff for their selfless dedication to the alcoholic/addict who needs help. I would not be where I am today if it were not for them.  I continue to grow in my new sober life and I only pray that I can someday pass on to others what Cornerstone has given to me. God bless you Cornerstone.

Our daughter soon to turn 19,was admitted here for a stay of approx 62 days. Thank goodness for the cornerstone staff on the 24 hr hot-line that night, when i called distraught, the staff were and continue to be so helpful, they are well qualified and genuinely care. When i talked to someone there, in the middle of the night distraught, I knew that our daughter would get the help that she needed there.The program there is structured and educational for the addict and along side the treatment plan for the loved one, they offer support and education for the families too..We were attending classes/groups along with our  loved one, and also without, at the same time our daughter was attending the inpatient treatment center.We got so much out of the educational groups that we have attended, as well as support, guidance and help from all at Cornerstone.The staff there are very supportive, and knowledgeable. I would like to just  like to say especially  to the staff member who runs the Tuesday night family/loved ones group,(u know who u are) a big.  Thank you .

Our daughter has left the facility now, with the tools, guidance,support and strength to stay sober and I am proud to say Has 90 days sobriety.  We still attend the support groups offered there, in order to stay healthy and educated so we are able to help and support her in her new sober life……
To all at Cornerstone from the intake staff, to the group councilors, to the drivers, and the house managers and everyone else  there,who has so positively impacted our lives we cannot express the gratitude that we have for the facility and everyone there..

Thank You!!!   xx

Nicky

TO THE FAMILIES OF THE ADDICT:

I have been dealing with my wife and her alcohol addiction for some time now.   She finally decided to get involved with a rehab.  We were very fortunate to have found Cornerstone for her rehab facility.  She received excellent care from a group of very caring people.  She is currently in a sober living house, and is doing well.

The thing that I did not realize or expect was that I needed help for myself and I was going to get that help in the form of a family group meeting.  Most everybody enters this meeting with a bundle of emotions in the form of being angry, scared, nervous, and tired.   Just as your addicted loved one is going to meetings and learning about their addiction,  the family goes to their meeting to learn how to deal with the addict, and how to bring some calm back into their lives.  The secret to these meetings is to give it some time.   I did not want any part of this process in the beginning, but because I wanted to do everything I could for my wife, I returned for meeting after meeting.  In a very short time my mind set had changed and I could not even consider missing one.  The format of the meeting is set up to allow cross talk.  This works extremely well.  You will meet people that have gone down the path that you are just venturing into. They will share their experiences and their resolve, from that you will be able to pick what applies to you and what you think will work best for your set of circumstances.  Our meeting manager is Vaughn.  His life experiences, knowledge of the subject matter, and personality have enabled him to be the perfect match for the job.

You will learn you are not alone in this. You will learn that it isn’t healthy for anybody to allow the addict to consume their life.  You will learn to deal with the addict while taking care of yourself.   If you pay attention and open up you will even learn to smile and laugh again.

I would like to close by giving a bit of advice. When it comes to your addicted loved one and rehabilitation, the longer the person is involved with treatment the better.  When it comes to the family members, attend as many meetings as you can.  The result will be a higher understanding of the addict, addiction, and your role for the future.

I wish you the Best of luck in your future.

Thank you

Nick