Testimonials
Inpatient Treatment testimonials

Hello my name is Billy, I am an alcoholic!

Going through Cedars has helped me see that my life doesn’t have to be unmanageable and out of control. These days I hold my head up high I’m not shy, not scared and not alone, lost most of my anxiety and am no longer a menace to society. Cedars helped me put my feet back on the ground and gave me a solid foundation for my recovery. I still have the challenges and hurdles of everyday life to deal with; but I deal with all these without the use of alcohol or drugs (so much easier)! When I first walked in to Cedars I felt welcomed! The office staff, support staff, kitchen staff, gym instructor, Doctors and the of course the Counsellors are all world class! The friends I made at Cedars are all still a huge part of my new life. I now wake up every morning with a good conscience, knowing I do not have to say sorry too all the people I would have hurt if I was drinking. My work and family life are much better; I am reliable and a safe person to work with, I have a lot of patience and now have true feelings. In closing I would like to say thank you to all Cedars staff for saving my life!!
... Billy U.

When I came to Cedars in Oct/06 I really didn't have any hope... of anything! I had quite literally given up. All I wanted was the "desire" to not drink, I was so afraid I would never want to quit, I really surprised myself. Cedars helped turned my whole life around. Today I am just short of 11 months sober but the best part is the difference to the quality of my life. Not only have I lost the obsession but the skills I have learned have helped me to overcome so many other obstacles in my life. It really is simple (not easy!) and it really works if you want it bad enough.
... Karen S.

I think of Cedars as a healing sanctuary. I arrived in September 2006 completely broken by the disease of alcoholism. I had no understanding of the seriousness and/or complexity of my condition. During my 44 day treatment I learned about alcoholism and addiction as a disease and I was presented with a solution. With the guidance of knowledgeable and supportive Counsellors and staff, I was challenged to break out of unhealthy behaviour patterns and isolation and become an equal member of a healthy, spiritual community. I was given many recovery tools and introduced to the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous in order to build a foundation for a new life.

I have successfully implemented everything I learned at Cedars into my life and have remained sober for just over 1 year. I recently returned to participate in the Discovery program. I consider it a vital part of my ongoing recovery. There I was able to uproot some core issues related to my drinking history in a safe and supportive environment.

I'm only 25 years old; I was very near death before coming to Cedars for help, now I have hope in my heart, love and friendship in my life and a future before me.

I look forward to a continued relationship with Cedars for many more sober years!
... Vicki R.

Testimonials
Discovery Program Treatment testimonials

Discovery has for me allowed me to find my path, understand my role in the relationships I build and find my ability to express myself emotionally in an ever expanding circle. That one week though is just the beginning, the real work and leaning will never end and the need to find that ground and remember without guilt where you were and know where you are going is tantamount, without that I'd soon be lost again.

Empathy, compassion, love and understanding these are the pillars of my recovery plan and the foundation of my future. I've always had them, in spades in fact but like a vast reservoir packed deep underground I was unable to find them with out the violence of a volcanic eruption. I am learning now how to tap these veins of personal power and ride the currents of feeling and emotion like a bird on the wing, and when I get it right oh what a euphoric life affirming soaring flight I have.

In my reality the discovery program has given me the tools and knowledge to understand another persons true struggle with addiction and my real role in supporting their recovery and not controlling it. Concepts like co-dependency and the family of addiction while foreign to me at first now ring true as I see it in myself and where my roles have been. I stand on a new mountain peak with a fresh new view, but it is in the end just another vantage point, nothing's changed but me and in my changing everything is.
... John B.

I was a part of discovery 7, as far as I am concerned this was the best personal development work I have ever done. I have used one-on-one counselling many times and the benefits of the group environment and the intensity of the workshops are the only way you can achieve the breakthroughs that I gained.

I had so many whys in my personal life and by the time I was done at discovery they were all answered. The staff were all excellent and given the opportunity I would do it all again in a heart beat. Thanks so much.
... Allison H.

Cedars did what it said it would do , Cedars did change life my family significantly, by changing my life significantly. I was shown skill sets and was given knowledge to deal with the issues going forward. It was the sharing of all involved in the environment of self examination that brought about a new self awareness I had never before appreciated.

As a result of the process, I have been a more complete Human Being, not just a Human Doing. My family needed me and I was in most cases somewhat absent. I didn't have the tools to work the problems. Since Cedars, I have the tools and with my wife, have slowly but surely re-established a new dynamic in and across the family. We all now appear happier, not just in our immediate home but in our extended families.

My work situation has improved significantly. I can say, for sure, that the team building in my practice is now delivering the best service I have personally delivered in thirty years of practice. The interesting thing is that my personal effort is half of what it used to be before Cedars, to get the same result. This is likely another benefit that I was able to garner, the ability to lead more effectively and communicate clearly with more meaningful conversations. Now more than ever before, in our practice, high end, high performance, high cost, high satisfaction ... and a happy motivated staff with truly happy Veterinarians.

All my personal relations have significantly improved ... I claim to many that I have, after 56 years of desensitized Human Doing, matured to a sensitive Human Being. Its amazing for others to change, you yourself have to change first. It was a gift for me to have an addict in my family ... we've all changed and we're all a lot better for it.
... Ronald D.

As a 10 year member of Alcoholics Anonymous, I wasn't sure what I would achieve through Discovery program. As it turns out, 1 week of focus on myself along with 9 other participants, with the very experienced and professional guidance of two counsellors was an experience beyond my expectations. Most of what has been valuable has become apparent after my stay there.

I have a much better understanding of myself, stronger boundaries and am free from many little nagging thoughts that used to run me on a daily basis. I'm not quite sure what exactly happened, but I have a "lightness of spirit" and a freedom that has been apparent on a daily basis. The facility is comfortable and the grounds are beautiful. I slept well, ate well and laughed myself silly. I loved my week, and would love to one day return for more.
... Jeanie H.

I cannot believe it was one year ago that I came to a program called Discovery. I remember sitting in the circle on the day we checked in August 13th, 2006 saying what was going on and how we were feeling. Personally I was scared. I knew that the week ahead was going to be a tough one, but worth every minute.

What an absolutely incredible experience I had. The people in my group were amazing; I truly admire them and value their opinion. I cannot count the times I have leaned on them for support.

When I look back at this past year, since leaving Discovery, it amazes me as to how much I have learned and how much I have grown. I have an incredible life and I am happy. I know that I deserve to be happy, loved, and respected. I deserve to be heard. It was a real eye opener, in Discovery, to realize that I didn't think I was worth any of those things.

I have continued with my recovery program and I am grateful every day for my life. I know that there is always hope no matter what is going on in my life. (It is a very powerful thing to have hope as I remember a time when I didn't have it and what a sad time that was for me.)

While at Discovery I learned so much about myself. I learned that I was not alone. I came to recognize things about myself and the things I had been doing in the past that were sabotaging my life. I learned it is okay to have feelings and emotions and that there is always HOPE. I discovered that my life was mine to do with as I please and that I have choices to make. I also learned that the only person that can make me happy is me and I am worth it.

When I left Discovery I remember being scared of what was to come, as I had learned so much and the thought of how I would apply it to my life was overwhelming. I was also very excited about the future because I was leaving with a lot of new tools, a positive attitude that included hope, a recovery plan , a recovery partner, and my recovery family. I also had this incredible new hope for my immediate family.

I know that with recovery comes new growth on a regular basis and some days it is can be very difficult. On those days I turn to my recovery family for support and remember that tomorrow is a new day. I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had and the lessons that I have learned. Even the tough and uncomfortable situations that arise I am grateful for, because once I have dealt with them the feeling I get afterward is incredible.

Discovery was life altering for me!!! The knowledge I gained has given me power over my own life. I will continue this incredible journey where I will continue to grow, live, and love more and more every day. the entire time saying thank you to my HP for putting me on this incredible path...

Peace, love and happiness to all.
... Leanne C.