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In November of 2021, I was homeless, unmedicated, jobless, and struggling. My father told me he would only help me if I came to Florida, so I did because I needed his help. He immediately put me in the hospital in Delray, where I stayed for two weeks. I began to feel better after being put on Invega Sustenna, at which point it was time for me to go to treatment. My father and my caseworker had me interview a couple treatment centers, and the decision was for me to go to Lifeskills. At the time I was apathetic. I wanted to hope for the best and get some relief from my symptoms, but I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Cary M.
My treatment journey
My time at Lifeskills lasted eight months altogether — from start to finish. I needed this time to take a break from reality, stay on medication, and learn coping skills in individual and group therapy. Despite my reservations, it really wasn’t so bad. I was in residential for three months, PHP for another three months, and IOP for two months.
While in PHP, I got a job working at Office Depot, where I stayed for five months until I felt ready to get a big boy job again. I had been living at Osceola House, the transitional housing offered by Lifeskills, and I knew it was time to live outside of a controlled community. I moved out of Osceola and rented a room, then a studio apartment, and finally got an apartment of my own in August of 2023! It was great — I cooked food, cleaned, and did so well living independently my father got his deposit back from the landlord.
Life after treatment
In 2024, I moved to Austin, where I made ends meet all by myself. It was a struggle, but I had a solid roommate, and I made sure to maintain my mental health during this transition period.
Soon, I begin my next chapter (again) in a house I bought with my own credit (with some help from family). I have close friends moving in with me, and it will be even more responsibility on my plate — and I know I can do it! I’m giddy with excitement for what my next chapter holds.
Today, being an alum of Lifeskills means I have support networks, new friends, and a wonderful alum coordinator to support me and give me access to resources when able. Dani Lozzi has done a wonderful job coordinating the alums. She stays in contact with me in a very professional manner, and she always offers up new ways I can give back to the community.
Rabbi Gaines was also phenomenal. Inside the earth there are many things. If you know where to dig, and what to dig for, you can find jewels and diamonds, instead of just rocks. The rabbi is the geologist of the soul. He can show you where to dig, and what to dig for, but the digging you must do yourself.
As Rabbi Gaines told me, Hanukkah is about being a light unto the nations. That’s the purpose of being a Jew. I shared my story this holiday season in the hopes that other people become more willing to share their struggles, progress, hopes, and dreams, to be a light unto others. This is the best holiday season I’ve ever had!
It’s been three years since leaving Lifeskills, and I’ve accomplished so much. I’ve gotten a good paying job, bought a house, and repaired my relationships with my friends and family. I’ve seen friends along the way falter and waver — some have turned to drugs, others have gone off their medications, while another quit drinking and checked himself into rehab — which was unexpected, and I’m proud of him.
I’ve made sure to remain steadfast in my commitment to maintaining my mental health through it all. Without the eight and a half months I spent getting med compliant, I surely never would’ve been able to do these things. I’m living proof that Lifeskills can work — and if it worked for me, it can work for anybody!
Advice from Cary
My advice to clients that may be struggling is to take it one day at a time. Don’t get up to funny business — focus on yourself. Although friends are nice and all, you’re there to work on yourself. You matter most. For perspective, I met dozens of people in treatment and three years later, I talk to maybe two or three of the people I met there.
Should you choose to better yourself, you’ll get the help you need. For me, it was about staying compliant with my medication. For you, it may be that you need medication, and maybe need to choose abstinence from drinking and drugs. That’s okay — we all have our own battles. What’s important is that you know there’s a light at the end of your tunnel, and that it’s not a freight train headed your way! It’s daylight!
The therapists, doctors, and most of the staff are on your side and willing to help. Help them help you by being compliant. It’s going to be tough, especially at first, but nothing good for you is ever easy at first, especially nothing worth doing.
