“My life today is really the result of PRC,” claims Ketcham. “It has opened the door for me to a new kind of living. My hope in returning there and speaking and sharing my story is that some people will identify with the feelings and thoughts I had when I was there and find hope.”
Jennie continues:
“I’d like to go back to PRC and express how great life is after rehab. I really want to open the door to a new life to the people who come to hear me.”
The Toledo Free Press has an excellent article on Pasadena Recovery Center alum Jennie Ketcham — who previously worked as a porn star under the name Penny Flame. After appearing on “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew” and “Sober House,” Ketcham quit the adult film business, pursued a healthier lifestyle, and started a personal blog – Becoming Jennie – where she wrote about her redemption and recovery. She released her memoir, I Am Jennie, this month. From The Free Press:
In an effort to explain, chronicle and aid her transition, she began to write about her life in a blog named “Becoming Jennie.” It was there — among the thousands of words, thoughts, reflections and emotions she shared with her loyal readers — that Ketcham’s unique and fascinating voice as a writer began to come to the forefront.
“I had always kept a blog but never kept an honest one about my feelings,” Ketcham said in an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. “I was also so out of touch with those feelings, and the voice with which to describe them and experience them, I felt safe behind the gossamer veil that is Internet blogging. But once word got out into the porn world that I’d left, the blog’s popularity boomed and the rest is history.”
During the past few years, her site has become an exhaustive and emotional look at the many changes in Ketcham’s life. The world of adult films is, indeed, in her past. She now works as a hostess at a Pan-Asian restaurant. She’s attending college. And — most importantly — she’s becoming happy with who she is.
As Ketcham has grown, so too have her writing skills. Now, all facets of her personal evolution come to the forefront with the release of “I Am Jennie,” a new memoir released July 10.
Ketcham’s book is available at Amazon and other book stores.
The first ever Pasadena Recovery Center newsletter is out. Read it now! Moving forward the newsletter will come out monthly and contain the latest recovery news and happenings at our Pasadena treatment facility.
VH1′s blog announced that a new season titled, “Rehab With Dr. Drew”, will begin airing in September 2012. Instead of celebrities, however, the new group checking into the Pasadena Recovery Center are “regular folks who have sought out Dr. Drew’s help after seeing just how dedicated and successful his treatment with celebs has been.” In addition to the Pasadena Recovery Center, fans will recognize Bob Forrest, Dr. John Sharpe, Shelly Sprague and Jennifer Gimenez from Dr. Drew Pinsky’s previous celebrity oriented shows.
Dealing with addiction can be very difficult in its own right. But it can be even harder when it is accompanied by financial disaster. Erica Sandberg has a must-read article about dealing with the money woes that often follow substance abuse:
Descent into drug-related debt can be slow or fast, with much depending on the substance. Mike Bloom, owner of Pasadena Recovery Center in Pasadena, Calif., says any drug can lead to financial ruin; however, “methamphetamine, crack cocaine, pain killers, alcohol and heroin are at the top of the list,” he says.
Addicts generally start borrowing money from friends and family in small increments — but it adds up quickly. And as a person’s habit becomes more expensive he will start to exploit opportunities:
Cash sources include home equity loans, advances from credit cards and loans against their car. Bank accounts are overdrawn. They may pawn valuables, both their own and others’. Employed addicts may ask for payroll advances or take out payday loans. Almost all stretch out a hand to friends and family members.
Unfortunately financial obligations often stand in the way of recovery. The more money addicts owe the harder it is to return to normal life:
“Most of the time, an addict has a low credit rating,” says Bloom. “In a tight economy, addicts have a hard time renting an apartment, buying a car or house.”
Declaring bankruptcy might work for some addicts. But many debts – like child support, alimony, and debt the result of fraud – are not dischargeable. Generally, the best way to improve credit is by repaying debts. Making amends can also be an important part of recovery (see Step 9).
For many more tips on dealing with drug-related debt as well as suggestions for providing a support system for addicts, read the entire article.
We just came across this 30 second promotional video from a few years ago. It definitely has a dated feel to it but the information remains accurate. Our professional team remains committed to the total care and treatment of our clients. Treating clients with respect and dignity are also hallmarks of the Pasadena Recovery Center.
If you are someone you know needs help with addiction please call us at (866) 663-3030.
The Pasadena Recovery Center(PRC) takes great pride in providing three excellent meals a day for our residents. The kitchen has been run by professional chef, Eric Swab, for the past two years. Eric trained at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Pasadena and has worked as the private chef for Brake Media, the sous chef at 300 Pasadena, and held many positions in various Italian restaurants. While Eric has created a seven day meal plan with different daily offerings for lunch and dinner, he prides himself in continuously mixing it up by adding new dishes to his repertoire. He also makes sure that there are always vegan and vegetarian options.
Breakfast
Breakfast is generally the same every morning and consists of bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, pancakes, oatmeal, cereal, and fresh fruit. But Chef Eric will also throw French Toast, quiche and waffles into the mix.
Lunch
All lunches have fresh fruit, salad and mixed vegetable options. Some of the main course offerings include lasagna, grilled fish, cheeseburgers, spaghetti in marinara sauce and fish tacos.
Dinner
Chef Eric usually devotes one night to Mexican cuisine. Another night features Striped Pangasius – a close relative of catfish – which Eric will grill, fry, bake, blacken or create a roulade. Other typical offerings include Chinese food, yankee pot roast, meat loaf and pasta.
Jerry Moe, National Director of Children’s Programs for the Betty Ford Center, lectured at the Pasadena Recovery Center (PRC) on Friday, June 15, 2012. Moe, who has written 19 books helping families deal with addiction, emphasized education:
“If we educated kids at a young age, if we give them opportunities to talk openly about what is going on, to learn problem solving skills, self-care skills, who to go to for help — and we give them these mechanisms that when they face challenges in their lives – hey, we all face challenges — but they may have some other strategies to turn to instead of turning to alcohol or drugs.”
Mike Bloom, CEO of the Pasadena Recovery Center which has treated over 6,000 patients in 12 years, who invited Moe to speak at PRC, also stressed education:
“You have to be educated on the illness and our job here is to provide a field where there is an opportunity to get better.” Bloom added, “it’s not a quick fix, but having the facility here does give people a chance to be away from their family for a month, sort some things out, and hopefully make some better choices.”
If you or someone you love is suffering from drug abuse or alcohol dependency, call the Pasadena Recovery Center at (866) 663-3030.
Dr. Drew Pinsky comments on the passing of Rodney King who he first treated in 2008 on the second season of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” at the Pasadena Recovery Center. The videotaped beating of a helpless King by Los Angeles Police officers sparked the 1992 LA riots which resulted in 53 deaths and nearly $1 billion in damages.
The L.A. Times reports that autopsy was conducted Monday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with King’s friends and family.
Tennis coach, Tennis Channel celebrity, and 2010 USPTA California Pro of the year – Mary Pat Faley – spoke at the Pasadena Recovery Center on March 28, 2012. Residents, alumni and staff listened intently as the author of “Winning in Tennis and Life: How to Execute Your Strategy On & Off the Court” offered guidance for dealing with addiction and living a healthy life. Healthy living, according to Mary Pat, includes putting one’s life at the top of their game for their own personal health. Mary Pat also spoke about many of the topics in her book including:
Are you the victim of stress in your job or your life?
Are you overeating?
Do you get enough exercise?
Do you have an addiction?
Afterwards, both current PRC residents and alumni raved about Mary Pat. “I really learned so much and feel inspired,” said Rhonda P.
Pasadena Now has a great article about Pasadena Recovery Center alum, Jennie Ketcham, who will be speaking about her life and recently released memoir, I am Jennie, at PRC on Wednesday. From the article:
