Portions of this article are excerpted and adapted from the upcoming book Hope Against Hope, authored by Renascent’s Clinical Director Michael Lochran and consulting Psychotherapist Laura Cavanagh. Hope Against Hope’s anticipated release is in 2021. Since the New York State Inebriate Asylum opened in 1864, inpatient residential treatment has been the gold standard intervention for … Continued
These days you’ll find Jim on the bike paths of Orillia. He heads out every morning for about an hour as part of his regular exercise routine. Just by looking, you’d never guess that just under two years ago the 71 year old was hospitalized due to his alcohol addiction. “I drank all of my … Continued
By Raj, Renascent Alumni The other day, my daughter asked me to make pancakes for breakfast. My youngest son, who doesn’t eat anything his sister eats, demanded crepes. Everything is to be made from scratch as per our breakfast tradition. I paused for a moment, frustrated at the parenting task of managing these seemingly daunting … Continued
By Monica G., Graham Munro Treatment Centre Step 6 for me is all about willingness and trust in my Higher Power. In Step 4, I made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself and a Iot came up for me – my resentments, my fears, my anger toward people, myself and life in general. Step 5 allowed me … Continued
By John Bushell, Registered Psychotherapist and Addictions Counsellor, Renascent’s Punani Treatment Centre I joined Renascent’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee a few years ago because I wanted to help the clients we serve. Renascent’s clientele has always been diverse, and we’ve really continued to strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion over the years. The … Continued
By: Cory G, Renascent Alumni Step five, to me is how I became free. It’s how I truly begin to walk in the sunlight of the spirit. Providing, however, that your fourth step is honest and thorough. This is my first time ever being introduced to the Twelve Steps. This is my first time ever … Continued
By: Marilyn Kennedy, Renascent donor and supporter January 2, 2001. That’s the day that marked the end of my drinking. I attribute it to a combination of being sick and tired of being sick and tired, the gentle confrontation of a family member and the grace of my Higher Power. The truth is that I … Continued
By Dan C., Punanai Treatment Centre Alumni Here I am, 10 and a half years removed from Renascent’s Punanai Centre and still sober, being asked to share a piece on integrity. Truth be told, I was just a garden variety drunk. My drinking began at 15 and strangely enough, as often as me and my … Continued
By Quinn B., Graham Munro Treatment Centre Alumni After writing Step Four to the very best of my ability, I was thrilled to move on to Step Five and get everything out of my head and off my chest. I hoped for and somewhat expected to feel a great sense of relief upon completing the … Continued
By: Glen Adams, Manager – Client Care Access & Engagement Centre There is no question that our emotional health is important. If left unchecked and unaddressed, emotional distress can lead to mental distress and result in relapse. People living with addiction use various substances to help manage their emotions. So developing new healthy techniques and … Continued
