Grata rescued me. It provided me a life-saver when I needed it desperately. A beautiful, safe and supportive space! An incredible all-round program and staff - which facilitated a radical change in my thinking and behavior.
I was drowning in alcohol addiction, in more ways than one. I was skeptical and fearful of rehab, and really resisted it, despite the pleading of loved ones. But Jason and Lou, the owner and admissions coordinator, played pivotal roles in helping me overcome my fears, concretely problem-solve some logistical obstacles for me to step in. For this, I am eternally grateful to them, and to Grata Ranch, its beauty and its staff – for saving my life, literally and in making my life meaningful again.
Jason had emphasized the “healing power of nature”, and I was initially skeptical, but it turned out to be a crucial part of my recovery, both the perspectives offered by the sunsets, the hawks, and the vistas, but also (re)generating my love of nature, something that had been drowned at the bottom of the bottle, as had my passion for reading, for humor, for art, theater - and my ability to show up for the ones I love most.
From the moment I stepped in, through the intake, detox, and throughout my stay there, all of the staff were unbelievably compassionate, with expertise and understanding that contributed to the overall experience – the medical and therapeutic, the various facilitators and counselors, the tech and house staff, etc. The program itself is extremely well-curated, with a lot of attention from Jason and Kylie, the coordinator, for a 360-approach to really provide the thinking, tools and foundation for a lifestyle of recovery, reinforced with an after-care transition program back into the real world, customized by Sherry. Because I largely worked during my stay there, and had some very specific medical needs due to a chronic health condition, Jason and the staff ensured I was getting the most out of the program, while being flexible and accommodating where needed, and I felt very welcomed through this. At the same time, some counselors/facilitators called BS on me at decisive times, and this much-needed caution/advice really helped me confront my addiction and change, with seriousness and discipline, for the better, for the long-term. The staff really - really - care, and a lot of them had been where I was, which helped.
I felt an immediate sense of relief upon admission, but what I came to realize over time is how all the different elements of the Ranch –the beautiful outdoors, the counselors and group sessions, the yoga, the exercise and the art-therapy, the Chef’s gourmet-cooking, the informal conversations with staff, the environment fostered by staff among the clients/patients, and more – came together in tangible and intangible ways for an overall positive, healing and, dare I say, life-saving/changing experience.
At the same time, even with this ‘miracle,’ the disease of alcoholism especially out in the ‘real world’ remains ‘cunning, baffling and powerful,’ as AA warns, and sobriety is a challenge that has to be met, ‘one day at a time.’ This is the best way I can reclaim and live life, and to stay grateful to Grata, the Italian for grateful, as I learnt!