When Fairwinds Treatment Center opened over 25 years ago, the goal was to develop a program that would produce real, tangible results for our patients. Rather than simply throwing a band-aid on an open wound, we wanted our addiction treatment center to be the last one that our patients ever had to attend. The goal of every treatment program is to deliver permanent results, but we felt that our dual diagnosis treatment, developed by Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, had the best chance of helping our patients achieve lasting freedom from their illnesses.

Recently, we sat down with one of our outgoing patients to discuss his stay at our Clearwater, Florida, facility and how his experience helped him overcome his substance abuse. It's important to note that this patient, who is 24, had previously stayed at other addiction treatment centers, having struggled with his illness since he was 18. Despite these efforts he was unable to avoid relapsing. When he came to us, he felt that he had hit bottom and was afraid his addiction would soon take his life. He also had low expectations that Fairwinds would help him, as he had a very negative perception of recovery centers in general.

This is a common problem with many of our patients: They come to us with so many failed attempts to recover that they've given up all hope. It's an understandable feeling — given that other treatments didn't work, why should that offered by Fairwinds be any different?

But what this patient found at our facility was much different.

"I wasn't expecting anything different and I had a real bad attitude," he told us in his exit interview. "The people here are what made a difference, they have a real interest in you, a personal investment, the staff and the community cares."

The patient was placed in a group of young adults with similar problems. Our patient reached a level of comfort that he'd never experienced in other treatments. He found that he was able to relate to these other patients and talk about his struggles in a way that he had not felt comfortable previously.

"This time I really dug deep, shared things I haven't shared before," he said. "I was able to on my last day help someone that was struggling not only by relating in the same way, but also giving a new perspective on how to view things for them and myself."

"I felt safe here and not judged. I have a healthy outlook on my recovery."

Because of his comfort in our program, this patient was able to conquer his demons and confront his illness in a way that other programs had never allowed him to do.

In addition to working with others who are trying to recover from addictions, you'll have access to a staff of medical professionals who take a dual diagnosis approach to substance abuse. Instead of focusing on just the addiction, we will help you identify the underlying psychological causes that are contributing to your illness. This will help you achieve a more permanent, lasting recovery, so that you can lead a healthier, happier life with your family and friends.

For more information on Fairwinds Treatment Center and our drug addiction treatment programs, contact us today by clicking here or calling (727) 449-0300 or (800) 226-0301.