Some may find this informative and usefull. It's a personal account (by someone else) based on several years ago:
" ...your questions about a 28-day visit to the fruit farm.
I did a 90 day program at Topeka a long time ago.
Privileges change with the tenure of your stay. At first, it's like boot camp. Later, you will be given freedom to roam the grounds but you must sign out and state your destination...gym...library...etc.
I was locked down from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. After a short time I was allowed to leave the hospital grounds...eventually I got weekend passes.
I wore civilian clothes. We had a dead man's store. Many vets die at V.A. hospitals. Seems like loved ones want to buy them lots of new underwear, shoes, pants, shirts etc. before they croak. Most of this clothing...a lot of it new...was donated to the dead man's store. I used to go there and find stuff that would fit me (I was a street person before I went into the program and needed stuff!)
Visitation was always encouraged. Isolation was discouraged. You could not find a pla
ce to hide and lick your wounds. Someone was always in my face to cheer me up...pissed me off sometimes...but I wasn't allowed to drop out and isolate.
I don't know what you are up against...but you can find out their specific rules...what crafts and diversions are available etc.
I suggest that you turn your transmitter off and your receiver volumn way up. Soak up some smarts...don't supply all the answers (intellictualization and rationalization)...kick back at a safe place and be a sponge. I hope you will gain from the experience...but you and only you can let it happen.
At the worst...it will be good for you and you will come away a different person. They will strip you of a lot of self defense mechanisms and other bullshit you have clung to for many years. You'll feel vulnerable until you develop new stategies or reclaim the old disfunctional crap.
You are a gifted person...your intelligence and extraordinary imagery can serve you well or block input from others. The ball is in your court.
Suck'em up! Hang Tough! Then chill out...it'll be a good ride. "
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