Click to call: 1-888-999-8101
government accredited Need Help? Caring counsellors standing by
1-888-999-8101

Patient Voices

By: Carol Morriscey


The Future is an Open Door

I’m in the 90-day program at Heritage Home. My experience thus far has been very pleasant, in that I feel at home, rather than an institution. My mental, psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual needs are being met.

Other than my addiction, psychologically, I do suffer from anxiety and depression, and also a great deal of trauma and loss. In regards to others sharing the same experience, I would definitely recommend this place. It’s a place where you can come to where they look at your individual needs, and meet them on a client-by-client basis. I’ve been fortunate to have amazing counsellors who understand and are knowledgeable in the field of addition, as well as the support staff who are also very knowledgeable and skilled in what they do.

For anyone who is currently going through addiction, I would say keep on trying. That’s the biggest thing, keep on trying. And also, to reach out. No matter how you have to reach out, whether it’s to family, friends, whomever it is that you can. Keep asking for help and be open to the idea that there are other possibilities and there is a future out there for you.

In regards to going home, I am feeling very hopeful. I’ve been through several different treatment programs, and I feel that I am ready. When I came here, I’ve been ready. I’ve been open to the different teachings and learnings that I’ve had the privilege of having here. I am going to take that with me, not just when I go home, but it will be for the rest of my life. Because this is a process, and through this process comes a happy life. Not saying that there aren’t going to be struggles and challenges, but with these skills and the new tools, and utilizing my support networks I‘m going to be able to better handle those situations, without having to use. And also being able to better manage my emotions.

In regards to what I plan on doing when I get back home, it’s an open door now. I am hopeful, I am not positive, but I know that there are going to be opportunities. I’m going to be going home in a different head space—a sober head space. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends and creating new supports through my process of recovery. Supports that are healthy, being in relationships that are healthy. Including most importantly, the relationship with myself. That is one of the biggest things that I am learning here, is how to have a healthy relationship with myself, and have that freedom and that hope within myself.


The Right Decision for Me and My Family

Hi, My name is Gary. I’m in the 30 day program here at Sobriety Home. I’m about 21 days into the program right now, and things are going very well. Overall, my experience has been very positive since I arrived here.

While, it was very difficult and emotional to finally make the decision to come here, I do know now that it was the right decision for me and my family. From the minute I arrived at Sobriety Home, they put me into a medically supervised detox program for alcohol. I had previously scared myself a couple of time by trying to detox myself at home. But here, the medically supervised detox program put my mind at ease, knowing I was going through the detox process safely.

The combination of physical fitness classes, yoga, the gym and healthy eating, has made a huge difference in how I feel physically. My sleeping patterns are back to normal and I’m starting to feel like my old self again.

Before coming here, I was dealing with stress, burnout, depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, I tried to deal with this myself, through self-medicating with alcohol. Which only lead to a downward spiral, that I couldn’t seem to pull myself out of. I tried many times to break this downward spiral, but was never successful for any length of time. I finally realized that I was out of control and I needed help. At that point, I contacted Sobriety Home. The decision to come here has forced me to deal, head on, with my addiction and the factors that contribute to it. I am finally being honest with myself and my family. As uncomfortable as it was initially, I feel like a burden has been lifted from me, and I have the opportunity to change the direction of my life.

Heritage has given me the counselling, information, and tools to continue my life, but now on a much better, healthier path, both for me and my family. I would encourage anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, sooner rather than later. For me, the decision to finally seek help was a huge turning point in changing the direction of my life.

In 7 days, I will return home and go back to work. I’m very anxious to do so, knowing that I will be in a much better place mentally and physically to deal with the struggles that are in front of me. But I know now that I have the tools in place and a plan in place that will lead to a successful and sustained recovery. I’m very grateful to all the people at Sobriety Home for helping me to get there. For the first time in a long time, I am actually looking forward to the next chapter in my life.