Alumni Spotlight
Shawn
Shawn started his recovery journey at Renaissance July 4th, 2017. In his free time, he enjoys engaging in healthy habits like painting, singing, cooking, exercising, and organizing community events and gatherings.
Shawn’s favorite aspect of recovery is the fellowship, saying it takes a close second to his relationship with God.
His advice for those starting their recovery journey is to “take this opportunity to hit the reset button. Just take the time to discover your true authentic self and learn to love it.” He advises others to focus on themselves, and not to worry about what others think.
In his own words: “I had given up on myself and thought that no one in recovery would remember me. This wasn’t the case. When I returned to Renaissance after a 3 year relapse, I was welcomed with open arms. No one had forgotten me. In fact, they were thrilled to have me back. Renaissance got me back in touch with who I am and gave me the tools to love myself and exercise my purpose in life; to be of service and help others.”
Alijah L.
Alijah started his recovery journey in April 2022 after realizing a life of active addiction was not worth the damage it was doing in his life. In his free time, he likes to find new meetings, play volleyball with his sober community, and have cookouts with the people in his fellowship.
His favorite aspect of recovery is “the positive change in perspective towards others, life, and myself.”
His advice for those starting their recovery journey is to surround themselves with people who have been through recovery and understand the process.
In his own words: “Renaissance has influenced my recovery by offering such a supportive community to get sober in. All of the staff, and the structure of the program, was instrumental to my continued success. The key is progress, nobody is perfect.”
Abby L.
Abby began her recovery journey on October 8th, 2021. In her free time, you can find her at the beach, having bonfires with her community, bowling, and getting in tune with nature as much as possible.
Her favorite aspect of recovery is the mental health programs because they helped her understand the role her mental well-being played in her addiction and what was setting her up for failure for so long. Through treatment, Abby was able to work on her mental health and create a change in her life without the contributing factor of mental health holding her back. Abby shares that her spirituality and community of support provide the tools she needs to help her stay on track for the lifelong goal of sobriety.
Abby’s advice is to give treatment a shot. “A lot of people leave early from treatment because they don’t feel it would work or they think they’re in a better spot. I’d advise these people to take a chance on their happiness and give themselves a shot at life without drugs and alcohol.” It’s more than abstinence, Abby advises, it’s learning how to manage life without substances.
In her own words: “Renaissance has helped me with my journey by giving me advice and allowing me to really dig deep into myself. They gave me a sober community that I was able to hold onto even after I left. I believe they gave me the best chance I could have had. I’m a year and a half in and I’ve accomplished so much and changed so many parts of my life I didn’t see possible. I was so unhappy and I may have some bad days but overall it’s been the best experience I could have ever had. My life is a work in progress but it’s been the best thing I could have done for myself.”
Stephen M.
Stephen began his recovery journey on April 7, 2022. He enjoys cooking and being in the kitchen. If he’s not doing that, you’ll find him outdoors here in the beautiful southern California. Thanks to recovery he’s been able to pick up old hobbies and find joy in things he never thought he would. He now looks forward to adventures, making connections, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as he enters the next stage of his recovery.
Through recovery, Stephen has been able to rediscover his true passion and zest for life. He believes that Renaissance gave him the support and strength to dig deep within himself, and to love who he is as an individual. His family and community of good friends remind him that he doesn’t need to “pick up” again and that there isn’t an obstacle he can’t get through.
In his own words: “Recovery has shown me that I’m not alone and that, to me, makes a world of difference. Renaissance has truly influenced my life for the better and my only way to show my gratitude and appreciation is to live a life of generosity and love for others. If I was ever asked by someone why they should trust Renaissance to start their journey of recovery, I’d say ‘why not?’ Taking the first step in anything worthwhile takes some risk, so why not invest in a life of unmeasurable opportunities? The world is a banquet experience; eat everything that you can.”
Jordan N.
Jordan started his recovery journey June 8th, 2021. Renaissance Recovery and the 12 steps of AA helped him get sober and find his purpose. He attributes faith in God, AA meetings, and fellowship to remaining sober and keeping his life on track. At Renaissance, Jordan was able to establish a foundation through the people and knowledge he gained. He followed a simple direction and took the next right step.
In his own words: “Recovery is hard but simple. I did what others laid out for me and helped others. Today I have over 21 months of sobriety and I get to help other men on their journey in recovery. I’m forever grateful and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without God and Renaissance Recovery.”
Addie T.
Addie started her recovery journey April 6th, 2022. Her favorite hobbies and activities are being outdoors, dancing, spending time with friends, and buying new plants (and “trying to keep them alive”), and loving on any furry friend she encounters.
Her favorite aspect of recovery at Renaissance Recovery has been the people, and being able to give back what was given to her with the new sense of purpose she has gained. Her advice for prospective clients is to “just pull the trigger and do it with an open mind”. Sobriety has given her a life beyond her wildest dreams, and that she now can’t fathom her life before while she was still in active addiction
In her own words: “Renaissance Recovery helped me put my life back together. I wanted what all of the alumni and staff of the program had, and they taught me how to get it. I was not employable, I did not have a home, I had no concept of how to live life as a sober woman…the staff taught me how to do all of those things, led by example, and loved me when I didn’t love myself. I wouldn’t trade my worst day of sobriety for my best day using. I owe that to people who dedicate their lives, at Renaissance Recovery, trying to show that sobriety, peace of mind, and recovery is possible for an alcoholic like myself. We do recover.”