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Rick Morton knew exactly how he wanted to spend his days in retirement. “I’ve seen a number of people retire and do nothing,” shares Rick. “I left with a plan. I wanted to volunteer.” And volunteer is exactly what he did. Rick took on a volunteer role at Renascent Paul J. Sullivan Centre (Sullivan Centre) … Continued
March 13, 1994 was the date that Russell took his last drink. For 25 years prior to that, Russell drank heavily. “Before to coming to Renascent, I would have never believed that recovery was possible for me,” says Russell candidly. “I was as low as you could get without losing your life.” Russell recalls meeting … Continued
“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
“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
“The first time I went to treatment was fun, but I didn’t learn too much,” Elliot admits. Prior to Renascent, “my big goal was hitting 90 days,” they say. “I wasn’t able to do it. I was 83 days in when it crossed my mind to have a drink and I gave in. What I … 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
This article is the first in a series to take a closer look at unmanageability. Part two is found here. Unmanageability is a big concept introduced in only five words in Step 1 of the 12 Steps in Alcoholics Anonymous. Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, and that our lives have become … Continued
