Baja Rehab
2026-10-02T00:36:41.559Z
I spent 13 months at Baja Rehab and it saved my life.If you had told me a little over a year ago that I would be writing this review, I would've laughed in your face.I got there after an intervention by Shalom, under the guise that I would be there for 30 days. I had no idea it was a lockdown center. At 21, I had gone to easily over 10 treatment centers, leaving or purposefully getting kicked out of all them. I was living in motel rooms, with no place to go and thought I'd just be in and out just like all the other places I had been to. Although I hated it at first, thank God that was not the case!For the first several months, all I wanted to do was leave. I fluctuated from lashing out angrily at my parents, to crying and begging them to bring me home. I hated myself, I hated being sober, and all I could think about was getting out to go drink and use drugs. I was constantly getting in trouble, constantly causing problems.At 7 months into my process I was given an "extraordinary", which is basically when the whole community (both clients and staff) give you the harsh feedback of how you are showing up in the community. It was incredibly hard to hear. I was forced to face myself and all the disaster I had been creating in my own life, completely sober. It was only until then I could see how unmanageable my life truly was. I felt true and utter hopelessness, I didn't know how I could possibly go on. All I wanted to do was get high and numb it out. But because I was at Baja Rehab, I couldn't escape myself. It was only then that I got down on my knees and began to pray. I had no faith my prayers would be answered, only desperation.However, I continued to pray every morning right as I got up, and every night before going to bed. I began to really embrace the 12 steps as a way of life, carefully writing a review of my day each night and daily goals for myself for the following day (the 11th step). I started to write gratitude lists every morning, as one of the counsellors, Karina, encouraged me to do and would share her own with me as well. Slowly but surely, my life got better. My time at Baja Rehab became easier and easier as began to stop fighting everyone and everything. Not only did I no longer want to drink or use drugs, but I began to truly comprehend the meaning of serenity. I saw the AA promises appear in my life. I began to feel whole for the first time in a very, very long time.I have a wonderful relationship with my family today. I can look at the women in the mirror with love for who I am, and excitement for who I am becoming. Most importantly, I now have a beautiful and profound relationship with God, which I could've never fathomed before.My time at Baja Rehab was one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced, but I would not trade it for the world.Special shoutouts to...Albert, who listened to my 4th step without judgement, constantly supported me even in my most difficult times, and always rooted me even though I was definitely an "underdog".Juan, who took the time to get to know me and not only told me I was capable of getting this, but actually believed in me enough to push me.Esteban, who never gave up on me despite how much I told him this wouldn't work, or that I was never going to get it, he never let up and showed continuous support throughout my whole process.Zoe (whom I affectionately refer to as my Mexican mother), who was always there for me, whether it was to share a laugh or give me a hug in times of sadness.And Shalom, who I especially despised at the beginning of my process, seeing as though he had "tricked" me into going to Baja. However, I see now that he tricked me into saving my life. He supported me, as well as my family, the whole way through.These people became some of my biggest allies. I am still in contact with all of them today and they still continue to help me in my recovery journey.Thank you Baja Rehab, for never giving up on me, even when I had entirely given up at myself. Thank you for giving me a new lease on life.