“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
If you’re in recovery, one of the best ways you can be of service is to become a Renascent Alumni Contact. These important volunteers introduce newly recovered clients and their loved ones to 12-step members and meetings in their community. For many, it’s a meaningful way to give back – and a life-changing opportunity for … Continued
By Max M., Renascent Alumni Step 11 of the 12-step recovery program encourages people to reach out to God and to accept that God has a plan for their life. Today, I know this Step is the most important part of my program. But early in my recovery, I told my sponsor “I can’t get … 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
By Gary, Renascent Alumni Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This Step has been and continues to be a crucial part in my recovery. My sponsor was key in guiding me through Step 10. It has been a game changer me! It’s a Step I … Continued
By Jack, Renascent Alumni, March 8 – April 12, 2022 What have I done? Who have I become? Look at all this money I owe. What does my wife think of me? Many of the feelings and thoughts we have in early recovery are filled with shame, regret, and remorse. It’s hard to find things … Continued
By Logan Freeman, person in recovery What is mental illness stigma? In relation to mental illness, stigma is when someone is marked or discredited somehow, or reduced from being a whole person to being a stereotype or labeled as a collection of symptoms or a diagnosis (e.g. ‘psychotic’). The meaning of the word stigma is … Continued
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
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
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
