Excitement at the clinic...

[feohmoon]

We arrive at the clinic every morning at 5:20am, otherwise my fiance will be late for work.  We are lucky that we dose in an area where it is safe enough to snooze in our vehicle for an hour each morning.  Usually it is uneventful...not so this morning!
So, it was 5:30 - we were in the jeep wrangler - which we had hung blankets over the windows preparing for our usual nap and aslo lit an incense as we do every other day...but this morning our nap was cut very short - the same guy that is second every day pulled in, then 2 other vehicles pulled in very fast, jumped out and started running...after listening to the background noise for a second we knew it was the police.  About that time, a flashlight shone in through our 'curtain' - We explained to the little guy that we are in that parking lot every morning at the same time and have been for 10 months...he questioned the incense, made a couple of smart *** comments...took our id's - said the alarm was going off and they suspected someone broke in...Seems like he would have cared if we saw anything since we were the only ones there for the first 15 min, or so...but not the case, I guess we aren't good enough to be a witness seeing how we are merely addicts ourselves.
As some of you know, we are 2 weeks and 1 day away from never having to return to the clinic again...now with their report - we will always be associated with the clinic in their eyes...I realize that should not matter, but it does...I am sure each and every one of you can identify with what I mean...there is a certain stigma attached to the clinic and while I do not believe it shoud be that way, it is...and I do not like the discrimination that comes along with it.  Now anytime my tag is ran, I feel like there is a big flag that will go up!    ADDICT   ADDICT   ADDICT (Which translates within our judicial system as  THIEF    CRIMINAL     SUSPECT -  Also, as we were talking after the ordeal (which resulted in them coming back 3 times) we sure hope nothing will ever come up missing from there, or get broken into - They would be on our doorstep for sure!
Oh well...it is the full moon...a little more strange activity is to be expected.
I hope everyone has a good day...I look forward to catching up on the forum.   I just had to share my morning with you guys -

[dove3053]

As long as you were not arressted there will be nothing on you. Just word of mouth from some stupid cop.

Remember this the only stigma you have is the one you place on yourself.

Dove

[worried878]

what an experience...bet it made you glad this will be over soon

[feohmoon]

Mostly...I missed our 1 hour nap - That really makes a big difference!

[feohmoon]

A town this size...half the force was there (3 cars!)

You are absolutely right - and we attach no stigma to anyone...ourselves included - Thank you - You are awesome

[Penelope14]

I know what your talking about, but these are people who dont understand unless they were in our shoes. When I first started to go to my clinic I felt that I was not meant to be their, it was embarassing & I felt shame in stepping foot in the clinic out of fear of being seen in their by someone I knew, I know this sounds a bit egotistic but I felt better then everyone else, but looking back Im glad I had this experience, as time went by I got more then a dose of methadone, I got a dose of reality, & the reality was that I wasnt any better then the local heroin addict, different sure, but not better, as I found out as time went by & talking with these people in groups that we all shared one thing in common, & that is of course a addiction to take something to make us feel better & escape reality, It was a wake up call for me & a learning process, not to mention a good kick in the pants, so looking back this would be the best thing that ever happened while going to the methadone clinic, understanding & learning that we are all the same. So understand that its easy for people to stand back & judge things they dont understand. Also I dont know If I told you this but yesterday I went to my clinic to pay them the last $200.00 they will ever see from me again, & I asked my counselor point blank, I want the truth here, how many clients of yours have you seen come off methadone & make it? Her response was, many! So I said, whats many? She came back with, shes been working in the clinic for a year & has seen 11 people in one year do it, & I thought, ok, if 11 people can do it, so can I.

[mr.lucky66]

The clinic life sux. I spent many years on and off of many clinics in 4 states. I'm glad you didn't get harrased too much. The cops do watch and maybe hastle clinic clients more than they should because they know there are some real criminlas there, but everyone is different. I know what you are saying about us all being the same but I saw some real bad types at clinics that thought nothing of stealing or harming people. You and your husband sound a little different in that respect. All the best