Marissa, Renascent Alumni My story begins like many others, with tales of a broken family, neglect and abuse. I have many good memories but bad ones are also painted throughout. My parents divorced when I was only 5 years old. By the age of seven, my mom was remarried to a very cruel man who … Continued
By Cody, Renascent Alumni Father’s Day being sober today looks a lot different now then when I was in active addiction. When I was using, I was always mad and yelling at my kids and scaring them because I would chose drugs over them. When I was with them I wasn’t there like I should of been. … Continued
At a frail 108 pounds, Dustin Cunning sat among family members and surrendered. He lived in active addiction for about 17 years until that unsuspecting day when his family staged his intervention. It was that day which would be the catalyst that changed his life. “I drank and used for a couple of years until … 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
Lori could not have been more relieved when her brother, Iain entered treatment at Renascent in 2019. She had witnessed him live through addiction for decades, and she herself experienced the hardships that came with being the family member of a loved one with addiction. So when Lori was offered the opportunity to participate in … Continued
By Lori Bateman, Renascent Family Program Alumni From the moment my brother, Iain went to detox, to four months later entering Renascent for his treatment, it was an unravelling. The following day after dropping him off at the detox centre was very surreal and I was filled with so much emotion. I couldn’t stop crying. … Continued
By Tammie K, Renascent Alumni February is the month for love! Learning to love myself through recovery has been the biggest change and the most beautiful gift I have received since getting sober over a year ago. I always felt that I was missing something, missing a connection deep within. I realized a long time ago … Continued
By Michael Lochran, Director of Programs and Operations Winter can be a challenging season for many. It can be even more challenging when you are struggling with mental health challenges. Routine and connection can play an integral role in maintaining your mental health and well-being during these colder and darker months. Here are a few … Continued
Calum Best, whose footballer father George Best died from alcohol related issues in 2005, and Josh Connolly, who is a recovering alcoholic and father to four children, discuss how families cope with alcoholism.
by Jowita Bydlowska “You make my mom go away. You make me feel hatred,” a kid read out loud from his letter to addiction, a part of an exercise in the Children’s Program at the Renascent Treatment Centre in Toronto. He hugged his mom afterwards with such intensity, it was as if he wanted to get … Continued
