“Recovery took a guy who was ready to give up and showed me that I have a life worth living,” says Matt. As someone who assumed he’d “die an alcoholic,” he didn’t have much hope for recovery. “I drank heavily for 20 years,” he says. “When I was 42, nothing would stop me. Not my … Continued
For Colin and many who find recovery, the desire to be free of substances came from within. “I have validation issues. I need you to like me,” he shares candidly. “I’ve spent my life performing – for high fives, for handshakes, for accolades. I came to treatment seeking more validation, but fortunately the counsellors knew … Continued
“I just never felt at peace,” Hannah says. “I always felt like the black sheep, the odd one out.” It was this persistent feeling of discomfort that led Hannah to six years of heavy drug use, culminating in a dangerous and all-consuming addiction. “I would find different means of escaping myself and my raw state … Continued
There’s a chill in the air, but hearts were warm for Renascent’s third annual Road to Recovery Walk/Run! From September 1 to October 15, participants of all ages walked and ran distances ranging from a single kilometre to a half marathon (21.1 km). Their shared goal? Raising funds, challenging the stigma associated with addiction, and … Continued
The first time he set foot in Renascent’s Paul J. Sullivan Centre (Sullivan Centre), “I had no idea what I was getting into,” Bill Smith admits. He came to Renascent having relapsed after four and a half years of recovery – the result, he says, of “lots of meetings and no Steps.” “I was sober … Continued
Renascent’s 27th Recovery Shot Golf Tournament may have started with light rain, but it ended with sunshine, smiles, and $206,100 in donations. “This year’s event may have been our best one yet,” says Guy Bonnell, Tournament Chair. “Not only did we have incredible weather and a great time, we raised awareness and unprecedented funds to … Continued
A stranger at a drop-in centre changed Lynn Evans’ life. “I was homeless, jobless, and using any money I had to support my habit,” Lynn recalls. “And one day at a drop-in centre, a woman suggested that maybe I needed to look at my life from a different angle. I was always waiting for things … Continued
By: Douglas, Renascent Alumni I had a lot of difficulty coming to believe I was worthy of sobriety. I could believe the 12-step program could work for others but not for me. Through working The Steps with another person who works The Steps I became Humble enough to know my worthiness. I thank God for … Continued
Spirits were high on October 18, at Renascent’s 2022 Guardian Angel donor recognition event. Over 100 attendees celebrated both the generosity of donors and the recipients of two major awards in Renascent’s first in-person award celebration since before the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-19 has posed some nearly insurmountable challenges for the communities we serve,” noted Renascent … Continued
My new life in early recovery, required me to do things that I was not used to. One of those things was to be accountable for my own actions. After so many years of being self-centred and inconsiderate of others, I was shown the value of humility and kindness towards others. I would speak to my … Continued
