My War Within…. Dear addiction: You were once my friendly companion Entertainer with colourful cheerA magical sense of calmnessMany joyous happy years Old pleasures began to slowly fadeAlone I came to thinkingYou dragged me across an invisible lineTo hell and heavy drinking I’ve let you control my feelings and thoughtsA simple reminder to meOf the … Continued
Lindsay sat intoxicated and alone in the stairwell of a parking garage overnight. Then, at around 7 a.m., a stranger approached her, introduced herself, and offered to pray with her. That simple act of kindness is one that Lindsay holds dear years later. “I realized that was my Higher Power saving me,” said Lindsay. It … Continued
It was on Christmas Eve of 2018, that Asim walked through the doors of Renascent Madison Avenue Centre. The former real estate agent’s alcohol addiction had spiraled out of control. He and his wife separated, and he was at a crossroads. “I was constantly slipping and falling in my duplex. I was not safe from … Continued
For as long as he could remember, Jimmy was a high achiever. It was his passion for excellence and accomplishment that helped him become a decorated college athlete. One of his crowning achievements was helping his university football team bring home the Vanier Cup (Canadian university football championship title) in 2017. The following year, minor … Continued
It was in January 2018, that Mohamed decided to accept help for his addiction. Before that, he says his efforts at recovery were “half-hearted.” “I was an addicted, homeless person and it was really taking a toll on me. My environment was not particularly safe,” shares Mohamed candidly. As life spiralled out of control, … Continued
By Eileen Starkman, Addictions Counsellor, Renascent When my daughter was born, I named her Heather. I loved the name and thought it was fitting. Since then, I’ve met many other people named Heather and I know that there are likely millions of other people on the planet who share my daughter’s name. As my Heather … Continued
