Starlite Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Alumni

May 2005 Newsletter

From the Director's Chair by Kirk Kureska

Hope this note finds you all living in the sunlight of the spirit. The other day I was coming out of a meeting and a young man who has close to three months stopped me to ask why I still go to meetings. He said after all this time surely the desire to drink is gone. I responded the obsession and compulsion have been removed from me, but the desire to be like that "normal person" is still there. I just don't know when it will rear its ugly head. Bigger than that though is the need to be available to my fellowship to receive and carry a message of hope.

I read somewhere that I have a new employer, being all powerful, He provided what we needed if we kept close to Him and preformed His work well .. I recall a time when I asked my sponsor a similar question. He directed me to this:

GOD in his wisdom selected this group of men and women to be purveyors of his goodness. In selecting them through whom to bring about this phenomenon, He went not to the proud, the mighty, the famous or the brilliant. He went instead to the humble, the sick, to the unfortunate. He went right to the drunkard, the so-called weakling of the world. Well might he have said to us:

"Unto your weak and feeble hands I have entrusted the power beyond estimate. To you has been given that which has been denied to most learned of your fellows. Not to scientists, or statesmen, not to the wives or mothers, not even to my priest or ministers have I given the gift of healing other alcoholics which I entrust to you."

"It must be used unselfishly; it carries with it grave responsibility. No day can be to long: no demands upon your time can be to urgent; no case be to pitiful; no task to hard; no effort to great. It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, no denomination. Personal criticism you must expect; lack of appreciation will be common; ridicule will be your lot; your motives will be misjudged. You must be prepared for adversity, for what we call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend the rungs toward spiritual perfection, and remember in the exercise of his power I shall not exact from you beyond your capabilities."

"You are selected because of exceptional talents, and be careful always if success attends your efforts not to ascribe to personal superiority that to which you can lay claim only by virtue of my gift. If I wanted learned men to accomplish this mission then the power would have been entrusted to the physician and scientist. If I wanted eloquent men, there would be many anxious for the assignment, for talk is easiest used of all talents with which I have endowed mankind. If I wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with better qualified men than you who would be available. You were selected because you have been the outcast of the world and your long experience as drunkards has made, or should make you, humbly alert to the cries of distress that come from the lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere".

A Glimpse At David Wheeler

David Wheeler, LCDC, has been an influential part of Starlite for the past two years as an adult case manager and the person in charge of the professionals program. He was born and reared on the Texas Gulf Coast and lived in Houston before moving to Kerrville. David has been an LCDC for the past 17 years.

What you may not know about him is that he is an accomplished artist.

He has been painting since he was a child. Since being in recovery, David's art has evolved (no longer passing out in the pallet) and in the past 12 years, he has had a number of one man shows in San Marcos and in the Houston area. David's oil paintings are done in photo-realism in an old master's style. Currently, he has several pieces showing at the Rivers Edge Gallery in Kerrville. He is a member of the Fredericksburg Art Guild and also shows there. His paintings are owned by individuals across the United States and Europe.

As David enters into his 25th year of sobriety in November, he hopes to expand the showing of his art outside the state of Texas.

A Note From Natalie C.

Howdy everyone!

I was thinking about something to write regarding my recovery, and it dawned on me that I was thinking. That in its self is progress for me. Since I left "Starlite Rehab 04," life has been trying, yet each day I awaken and I can feel. I feel love, pain, joy, and sadness, and it's such a wonderful change in my life. Being able to cope with everyday problems is a giant step that I have conquered through prayer, readings, or whatever. My emotional and intellectual growth have skyrocketed since I left in September of 2004. I'm back in college and should be heading back to Texas A&M University, in College Station, to complete my junior year as a Pre-Med student after one last semester at Navarro College. Starlite has made me the person I am today, and that person I love!

Professionals In Recovery

Addiction is the great equalizer. It does not matter who you are or where you came from, no one can escape the consequences if they do not find recovery. Professionals are no different, but there are consequences that can continue to be a part of their lives even after finding AA, CA, NA, etc.

Many, out of fear, never seek recovery until it is too late. Physicians, dentists, nurses and other health care professionals have a great deal at stake if their problems with addiction are made public. The news media will print all the sordid details which can ruin careers, damage reputations and destroy practices. Many times licenses may be in jeopardy, as well as certificates, and many people may be under supervision. Even though the professional may be fulfilling all that is required of them by their board or State agency, the knowledge of their addiction problem may cause them to lose patients, clients, or prevent them from working in their area of expertise.

Although all 12 step meetings are open, there are meetings for professionals which offer them a safe place and give them a forum to discuss issues they face with their peers without the fear of someone disclosing their history. They give them a secure place where they are not likely to run into clients or patients.

Lawyers, bankers, CPA's, etc., also have much at stake in their communities, and the need to feel safe to discuss problems and receive feedback from others in their field is important as well. The point is to provide a safe place and to help protect each individual's anonymity.

Until the stigma of addiction is eliminated from our society, meetings such as these are necessary for people to feel safe in seeking help for their addiction.

New Counceling Building Named

The new counseling building has been named by the staff of Starlite. Thirty-nine names were submitted by employees. The winning name came from Holly Weseloh, evening Clinical Tech. Congratulations, Holly for naming the new building The Polly Bishop Family and Counseling Building. Everyone who has ever walked through our doors knows and loves Polly. She has been a fixture here at Starlite for over 43 years. Polly deserves this special recognition.

A Profile On Melody Nelson Office Manager

Melody began working at Starlite in 1997 while it was still Starlite Village Hospital. Just before the change of ownership, she left to pursue other avenues of employment, but her heart stayed at Starlite. Shortly after the facility became Starlite Recovery Center she was back. She stated, "It is really a good place, with good leadership, and great coworkers who really care for the hurting world."

When people ask her where she works, she tells them and gives them the explanation that the disease is no different than any type of disease. That's why there are doctors, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. She explains how rewarding it is working here: of seeing so many lives being changed, lives saved, and how people can admit in such bad condition, and leave a new person. How families are mended and joined back together. Then the people she talks to realize how gratifying working here can be.

Melody is the Business Office Manager and is very proud of her staff: Eloise, Receptionist; Daryn, Insurance follow-up; and Christine, Billing and Insurance. She is especially excited to have Mike Square as the new controller and her new boss.

Melody says, "I feel I am very lucky to be a part of such an excellent team here at Starlite. We all care about the clients and will do the best of our ability to help you and your families."

Time Is Running

We still have a few spots open for the 1st Annual Starlite Alumni Golf Outing on June 5. A Starlite staff member will be paired with alumni in every foursome. There will be awards for Best Team Score, Best Single Score, Longest Drive, Hole in One (or closest to the pin), and a Duffers Award. Gift bags for all participants.

Shotgun start at 1:00 pm at the Flying L Guest Ranch in Bandera, Texas. Green fees are $35 + tax, which includes cart and range balls.

Guarantee your spot now by calling (866) 220-1626 and talk to either Melody or Marguerite.

Thank you, Natalie for your contribution to the May newsletter. Our alumni are encouraged to write a short article for presentation regarding your sobriety, your feelings about being in treatment, or something that would be encouraging to other alumni. Send your article to Starlite Recovery, attention Tommie, or e-mail to: tommieb@starliterecovery.com.

Star's Corner

Star is now an official CRC employee. She has a new badge like everyone else with her smiling face on it. She appeared on the CRC intranet site for a couple of months in her seasonal outfits, hearts for Valentines, green for St. Paddy's, ears for Easter, and a raincoat for April Showers. The store at Starlite now has cards of all the moods of Star which you can see at the Alumni Reunion where she will be decked out in her finest Cowgirl garb! See you there. Woof!!!

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