We protect the confidentiality of our clients, so each testimonial has been edited to ensure their anonymity with their names and photos changed.
Harold - Alcoholic (UK) - Jul 2015
I tasted my first alcoholic drink in 1977 when I was 23 years old, which, by todays standard - is fairly old. At the age of 53 I considered myself to be a heavy social drinker. However, by the time I was 56 I began to realise that my heavy social drinking status had progressed to a problem level, and I recognised that my life had become unmanageable and I had to reduce my alcohol intake drastically.
After numerous attempts to stop or even cut down on my alcohol consumption it became apparent (after failure upon failure) that I needed help from a third party. My wife and I discussed the situation and we decided that my only option was to attend an alcohol rehab facility to obtain specialist professional treatment.
After much deliberation we chose Phoenix Programmes in Marbella, Spain and booked a 12-week treatment package. I arrived at Malaga airport December 2012 and was greeted by members of the team, all with a smile, who then took me to hospital for my detox treatment - which lasted 7 days. Once the detox was completed, I was taken to the rehab centre to settle in. It became apparent to me quiet quickly that the staff were both down to earth and knowledgeable about alcoholism and drug abuse.
Upon commencement of the treatment I was introduced to the 12 step programme, something which I had never heard of before but a procedure in this rehab centre specialises.
After numerous attempts to stop or even cut down on my alcohol consumption it became apparent (after failure upon failure) that I needed help from a third party. My wife and I discussed the situation and we decided that my only option was to attend an alcohol rehab facility to obtain specialist professional treatment.
After much deliberation we chose Phoenix Programmes in Marbella, Spain and booked a 12-week treatment package. I arrived at Malaga airport December 2012 and was greeted by members of the team, all with a smile, who then took me to hospital for my detox treatment - which lasted 7 days. Once the detox was completed, I was taken to the rehab centre to settle in. It became apparent to me quiet quickly that the staff were both down to earth and knowledgeable about alcoholism and drug abuse.
Upon commencement of the treatment I was introduced to the 12 step programme, something which I had never heard of before but a procedure in this rehab centre specialises.
At first the programme seemed daunting to me, but with their expert knowledge and professionalism I was taken through each step, in detail and I soon realised that the contents of were in fact quite simple.
Upon completion of my course of rehab treatment I felt like a new man, both physically and mentally. Once back at home I was amazed how life became very enjoyable again, my quality of life had returned. There was fun and happiness, no more arguments, no upsets created for my wife, family, and friends. This joyous way of life continued for almost two years, but unbeknown to me I was a ticking time bomb.
I had become too confident; too complacent in thinking I could control my drinking. I had been given all the tools to use but I didn´t even try to open the toolbox. They had suggested that I should develop and maintain a recovery programme from the moment I left rehab, but I didn’t, and that was the root cause of my relapse.
For some unknown reason I decided after almost two years of sobriety that it would be OK to have a few beers on a Sunday watching football on the TV. The time bomb had stopped ticking, the bomb was now primed. The obvious happened, a few drinks on a Sunday led to a few on a Wednesday night as well and I was off and running. It doesn’t take much imagination to guess what happened over the following few months.
I recognised that I was now back on another alcohol-driven journey and the slope I was driving on was certainly not going upwards. I needed help again and had no hesitation in booking a second six-week treatment course at Phoenix Programmes and I arrived there in June 2015.
This time I took heed of what I was taught, and I now appreciate and acknowledge the importance of having a lifelong structured recovery programme. I would like to thank all the staff at Phoenix for their support and the encouragement they have given, not only to me, but also to my wife, family, and friends.
Upon completion of my course of rehab treatment I felt like a new man, both physically and mentally. Once back at home I was amazed how life became very enjoyable again, my quality of life had returned. There was fun and happiness, no more arguments, no upsets created for my wife, family, and friends. This joyous way of life continued for almost two years, but unbeknown to me I was a ticking time bomb.
I had become too confident; too complacent in thinking I could control my drinking. I had been given all the tools to use but I didn´t even try to open the toolbox. They had suggested that I should develop and maintain a recovery programme from the moment I left rehab, but I didn’t, and that was the root cause of my relapse.
For some unknown reason I decided after almost two years of sobriety that it would be OK to have a few beers on a Sunday watching football on the TV. The time bomb had stopped ticking, the bomb was now primed. The obvious happened, a few drinks on a Sunday led to a few on a Wednesday night as well and I was off and running. It doesn’t take much imagination to guess what happened over the following few months.
I recognised that I was now back on another alcohol-driven journey and the slope I was driving on was certainly not going upwards. I needed help again and had no hesitation in booking a second six-week treatment course at Phoenix Programmes and I arrived there in June 2015.
This time I took heed of what I was taught, and I now appreciate and acknowledge the importance of having a lifelong structured recovery programme. I would like to thank all the staff at Phoenix for their support and the encouragement they have given, not only to me, but also to my wife, family, and friends.
Other Testimonials
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Alex – Alcoholic (Spain) - Aug 2020
I’ve learned that alcoholism is a disease, I don’t know when exactly my drinking became a problem, but it was and now through the day care programme I have learnt about the solution. Originally from London I came to Spain with my wife (and the cats) about 16 years ago. Alcohol had always been a big part of my life and it became a problem for me some time ago. My wife had kicked me out twice and throughout lockdown I was living with my mother – and this was where it spiralled completely out of control. -
Gary - Addict / Alcoholic (UK) - Sept 2015
my life was unmanageable – I had a serious drink problem coupled with long-standing addictions to cannabis and cocaine - and so I decided to give it a go. I had tried many things in the past and nothing ever worked. I sought out Phoenix’ residential addiction treatment after my girlfriend suggested that I needed to get some help for my addictions. Although if I´m honest I did not really want to come, and I certainly did not know what to expect. However, my life was unmanageable.