I have been a patient on this unit several times for alcohol detox, and everyone is always kind and treats me well. However, this last time I was there, I was really going through it. There were so many times I wanted to just leave and go get drunk. My 3rd day there I got Natasha as my nurse. She had taken care of me several times so she was familiar with me. That 3rd morning, I remember just lying in bed, crying, and wanting to leave. Natasha walked in to check on me and she could tell I was visually upset. She pulled a chair up next to my bed and she said, "I'm here, I'm listening, I'm not going anywhere, whatever it is just let it all out". She probably regretted saying that because I just fell to pieces. I told her about everything that was going on with me personally and some stuff at home that caused me to want to drink daily. Her eyes never wavered off of me, she sat quietly and listened to me unleash everything that I had built up inside. I'm young and I don't have a strong support system at home and I'm kept isolated most of the time. So, to be able to actually sit and talk to someone about my alcohol abuse and everything leading up to when it started was a blessing. She gently laid her hand on mine as she sat at my bedside, looked me in the eye, and let me know I wasn't alone. She talked to me like she was my friend and like she had known me forever. By the end of our conversation, she had me smiling and laughing. She gave me a list of places locally that I could reach out to for therapy and local support groups. Natasha even gave me her personal phone number so I could call her if I ever needed to talk or vent about my situation.

She went above and beyond that morning and I know she has no idea how much her just pulling up a chair and listening to me talk met to me. North Key was on the list of resources she gave me and I've gotten signed up with them and they have helped me tremendously, and that is all thanks to her for taking time out of her morning to show me there are people that care. She could have easily walked into my room that morning and seen that I was upset, and she could have walked back out the door. I'm so thankful beyond words that she didn't.