After being in active addiction for five years, Keaton become desperate for help. “For the longest time I was in complete denial. It didn’t matter that addiction led me to institutions. Though that was where I gave up – in prison,” shares Keaton candidly. “I put my hands up and said I can’t quit on … Continued
By Karen Gallant, Addictions Counsellor, Virtual Intensive Treatment Program When I first came into recovery, I thought my past actions didn’t hurt others. When I read through the steps the first time and came across the ninth step, I thought, ‘well, I won’t need to do that step.’ As I walked through the work with … Continued
‘Magic’ is the word Addictions Counsellor, Brittany McDonald uses to describe the life-changing work that happens at Renascent Graham Munro Treatment Centre (Munro Centre). Having cared for hundreds at Munro Centre, Brittany knows it is the willingness of clients to receive help, coupled with the unparalleled skill and commitment of staff, which makes this ‘magic’ … Continued
It’s impossible to know by just looking, the number of twists and turns that make up a person’s recovery journey. This is true for Renascent’s own Giuseppe Mercuri. After nine overdoses and ten stints in treatment, this year Giuseppe is celebrating eight years in recovery and seven years as a Renascent addictions counsellor. Giuseppe remembers … Continued
After struggling for years with addiction, Hunter was admitted to Renascent Paul J. Sullivan Centre (Sullivan Centre) in the height of Ontario’s fourth wave of COVID-19. Though this was his first time in treatment, Sullivan Centre wasn’t new to Hunter. He sat in that exact building 17 years prior watching his father graduate from treatment. … Continued
By: Susan Jones, Renascent Alumni I last had a drink on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016. I happened to be in Toronto on a business trip and had stayed over the weekend to visit family and help provide support to my mother who was looking after my ailing father. It was a Sunday morning when … Continued
Mark vividly recalls the accident that was the catalyst which started it all. In 1985, he and a friend were going for a motorcycle ride in Los Angeles, California. They hopped on their bikes and a few kilometers later the unimaginable occurred. A Toyota ran a red light and Mark hit the side of the … Continued
Guy Bonnell has a long history with Renascent. It was almost 30 years ago that Guy attended Renascent’s first Recovery Shot Golf Tournament. At the time, Guy was just one year into his recovery. Since then, Guy has been a true Renascent champion, serving a myriad of roles, including chairing Renascent Recovery Shot, and sitting … Continued
Each year as spring comes around, there is an enhanced sense of optimism as we look forward to warmer weather, more sunshine and new spring flowers. At Renascent, we have a similar sense of optimism year-round when new clients walk through our doors. We know that within our programs and treatment homes there is a … Continued
Amy had been in and out of recovery for 20 years before going to Renascent in 2019. She started drinking around age 16 and things quickly spiraled out of control. Within a few years she would start using substances and became homeless, living in a shelter as a full-blown addict. As the years passed, Amy’s … Continued
