TESTIMONIALS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS AT SUNSHINE COAST HEALTH CENTER

Please note the names mentioned in the following testimonials have been fictionalized for reasons of confidentiality:

(From a mother of a former client)

Hello! I have moved into my own place -- finally -- left Josh on his own, but I'm only 45 minutes away ! I think he has done really well and coming up to 1 year on July 18th. He has stayed in touch with several of the "guys" -- Shane has been a worry -- "up and down" and in and out of "trouble" with drugs. I give Josh a lot of credit for being supportive. I'm so grateful to all of the people at SCHC who helped me getting Josh there and all of the follow up help -- Sara is a real "gem"!

Calgary, AB

 

Hey Daniel & Melanie,

I want you both to know how happy my family and I are about the progress that my brother, Shane, is making in your program. I have heard from other who have completed your program, and you should both know that I've heard nothing but positive feedback. Quite often I hear that many go through a magical experience when they are there, and after speaking with Shane, I must agree. Never since he was maybe in his early teens has he been able to communicate and express in the ways that he is now.

I am so happy that I chose your program when he needed help.

If people ask my opinion - when they ask 'what is the #1 drug rehab facility, on the west coast?' - without hesitation I will recommend Sunshine Coast Health Center. 

Thank-you again and I look forward to continued success with your organization.

Warm Regards,

Stephen

Hi to all the staff at Sunshine Coast.
These days things are just getting better as the days go by. I had a couple of hiccups along the way, but I did straighten them out and as I said things are only getting better. I tried pretty much everything I learned at the Centre, some things really help me in my recovery and the things that don't I leave alone. I feel my biggest breakthrough was that I finally accepted that I couldn't drink anymore. When this happened the obsessive thinking about alcohol seemed to just lift! Ever since then life has been so much easier to live. I have not forgotten where I came from, so my guard against that first drink is always on high alert. Without the education I received plus all the support from family and friends, I am sure I wouldn't be here today. I would again like to thank all of you for the part you played in my recovery from my addiction. You all have a very happy Christmas holiday season. You deserve it!!! From a very appreciative recovering alcoholic.
Terrace, BC

Daniel and the rest of the SCHC Team,
Greetings friends! Yes it's been a couple of days since I once again left the comfortable and loving surroundings of SCHC and Powell River and I'm just now getting around to my thank you letter. Points off for promptness. I wanted to thank you for the hospitality afforded me during my stay on campus. It was a treat to get to see and hang out with everyone--you folks are doing good and powerful work there. You're changing people's lives and creating hope where despair and desperation had ruled. I will never forget you for giving me my life back and facilitating the relationship with my God that saved my life. I love you all--each and every one of you for giving so much of yourselves to save me and the many other fortunate clients who have been blessed by spending time with you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you and God Bless you. I'll see you next year and we'll do it again.
Monroe, WA

Sitting in the corner of a room I seldom visited. A bottle between my legs and desperation grasping at my soul. Angry, alone, exhausted, spiritually and emotionally bankrupt. With trembling hands I dialed the number and reached out for help for the last time. I was defeated and knew that I had only two paths. One would lead me to death and the other, well I had no idea, but I knew it was my only hope, hope that I would save twisted relationships, hope that perhaps I could live. I surrendered, but like the defaulted soldier I had no idea what I was surrendering to.

I arrived at SCHC a broken frightened man. I was met by some of the kindest people I have ever had the fortune of meeting. Tracy and Alice nurtured me through my first couple of nights, my peers tried to familiarize me with my surroundings and make me feel that I was amongst friends, people who had taken the path before me. Souls that could understand how mine was broken. Then came my introductions to the counsellors. I thought they'd be shrinks trying understanding why I drank the way I did. I thought that they would ask me the questions I had been years trying to seek the answers to. "Hey wait!" I said they're not shrinks they're guys just like me, who have stories just like mine, maybe even worse. They told me it was okay to cry. They told me it was okay to feel. And cry I did and feel I did. Then the questions came, have you had enough, are you tired? What will you give for your sobriety? Yes, Yes! I will give anything.

The process started in a haze, but as the fog began to rise so did my emotions, guilt and shame. The natural stuff I laid on the table as it came. The tough ground in dirt came out came out piece by bitter piece as my counsellors and peers forced me to be honest, often reluctantly. I was told its okay to forgive myself of the wreckage of the past, okay to forgive, but never to forget. Over today I have power, and for today that is all that matters.

Seven weeks is a long time I told myself. Will it really take seven weeks to figure this thing out and get myself better? I now know that it does not take seven weeks; it takes a lifetime and heaven forbid that if I ever feel like I have it figured out. Yes, I am soon leaving but I have not figured it out nor am I all better. The gift I now have after seven weeks is the power to work my program and the knowledge I need to keep me sober one day at a time. I no longer think of being sober next month or next year. I just pray that I may be sober today.

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to spend seven weeks here. I have never cried so much in all my life, and on the other hand, I have never laughed so much. I have seen disappointment and I have seen tremendous growth and success. I have discovered close relationships that I never knew existed. There are experiences that you carry for life and I know that my stay here will be one.

I thank all of you for having touched me in a special way. You have all helped me to discover who I am. Most importantly; you have all helped me to stay sober and clean, one day at a time.
Fort McMurray, AB