Testimonials

“I’m beyond grateful for these last four months of my life. I’ve been in and out of rehabs, sober living and the rooms for over six years now, never putting together more than a month or two outside of rehab before I picked back up and restarted all over again.

This time around, I did things very differently. I went to IOP on a daily basis, I went to meetings, I got a sponsor on my second day sober, I started working the steps right away, and got involved in the community.

I was desperate to stay sober and stop this vicious cycle I could not get out of. This time around, early sobriety was by no means smooth sailing. There have been many bumps in the road, with the loss of important people in my life, along with stubbornness, selfishness, and a resistance to change. However, it’s all taught me valuable lessons in early sobriety and has helped me get a better look at myself.

I’m grateful today for my sobriety, the people in my life, the heartaches I’ve endured, and the way that everything has played out. It’s all pushed me closer to spirituality and has given me a psychic change.” – December 10, 2019

“The first picture is one of many intake photos I have taken in my life. I walked into treatment an empty shell of a human being, my life having been ruled by drugs and alcohol for 10 years at that point. I was suicidal and just about at the limit of what I could take. I came down to Florida, didn’t take any suggestions for six months, and received the same results I always had. A lonely relapse was what finally opened my eyes to the fact that something had to change.

The second picture is me with nine months of sobriety. Immediately after getting the drugs out of my system, I chased the happiness and freedom I saw in my friends who had put together some time. I did what they were doing… and ended up with the same benefits.

Sobriety has given me my family back as well as a strong backbone of friends that I never had before in my life. I manage to be a productive member of society. Life isn’t perfect in sobriety, but thanks to the gift of recovery, I no longer have a need to use drugs or alcohol to navigate it.” – December 3, 2019

“When I came to Foundations, I was broken. My parents cut me off, my best friend and Godson were completely removed from my life, and I lost everything important to me.

Today, in a short 14 months sober, I have my family back, my friends back, and my self respect back. 

‘A life beyond my wildest dreams’ means more to me than you could imagine. I am a direct result of the work I did, being put out into action. My life is immeasurable, and I am forever grateful. If this can work for me, it can definitely work for anyone!” – November 26, 2019

“I loved alcohol. I loved the way it made me feel. I loved the way it made me act. I loved myself and everyone around me. I loved alcohol until it rendered me powerless. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning without a drink first. I planned my days around which liquor store would be open when and where. Everything was great if I had a drink, and if I didn’t… well, let’s say, “run and hide.” On more than one occasion, under the spell of alcohol, I tried to take my own life.

I entered into treatment at Foundations Wellness because it finally became clear to me that nothing outside of alcohol mattered to me; not my family, not my children, not my life. I was completely powerless, broken and fed up. I wanted better, and the staff at Foundations showed me that I was capable of achieving a better life.

Today I am a proud member of AA, a mother, a wife, a daughter and a friend. The past four months of sobriety have given me my will back. I am happy, I am joyous, and I am free from the shackles of alcohol. I wish only to continue on this path to recovery, helping others realize that they never have to feel that way ever again; just as Foundations helped me.” – November 19, 2019

On the left, Zach’s mom tells us on how he was in active addiction. The picture on the top right is Zach in the hospital, recovering from an overdose, and the one on the bottom right is him present day. The difference is amazing! In his own words:

“In active addiction, I was a complete mess. I tore through everyone’s life that I touched. I lived a meaningless life. I was soulless and heartless… and one day I was lifeless. I am delusional about a lot of things, so attached is a photo of what my mother would have to say about me in active addiction.

Since getting sober, God has put all sorts of things into my life. I have the best job that I’ve ever had in my life, with the best employers. I can be trusted to do what I say I will do. I’ve entered into a new relationship with a girl more amazing than my wildest dreams. I get to be helpful to people every single day. And God has taken the obsession to use drugs away from me.

Is life perfect? No. Not even close. I mess up on a daily basis. I’m still selfish sometimes. I’m still learning how to be the best son, brother and boyfriend. But I open my eyes every morning to a life better than I could have ever imagined. And you can too. I’d be happy to help show you how.” – November 12, 2019

“I have always known that I had a problem with handling my emotions. I was an emotional eater from age 14 until now. I was bullied and developed eating disorders because of my weight.. I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I relied on food for my comfort until I found men, alcohol, and drugs. I used anything and everything to fix the void inside me. When they stopped working, I turned to self- harm. I just wanted to feel how I thought everyone looked compared to me. They seemed confident and happy. I have had many relapses and visited three treatment centers until I finally decided I had been through enough. With the knowledge already imprinted in my mind from my first few attempts. I knew I had to do it for myself this time. I am so proud of how far I have come, and refuse to let anything come before my recovery. It is one of the most precious gifts i could have ever been given. Thank you Foundations Wellness!” – November 5, 2019

In the first picture he was at the beginning of a relapse, having just started using again. He was totally miserable and spiritually dead. The reason Chris relapsed is because, in his own words: “I tried to do the program, and still live my old lifestyle… the fast life.” He had to learn the hard way, and continue to try and control his own will. His life quickly went downhill. Finally, he surrendered and asked for help.

The second picture is of Chris checking into Foundations, totally out of control after just six months of using.

The last picture is of Chris in present day, as he just accomplished a “career high” of four months of sobriety. Chris’s life long friend Benji assisted Chris in getting into the Foundations program. Chris had seen how much his friend had changed, and it gave Chris lots of hope because they grew up the same way. Benji introduced Chris to the perfect sponsor, in his own words, “ My Cuigine, Jerry Nave.”

There were a lot of people who helped Chris along the way. He expresses gratitude for two of his “main supporters, KJ Demich and Jessica, two amazing therapists at Foundations Wellness” – October 29, 2019

“The first picture is me in active addiction. I felt broken, ashamed, and tired. I was literally in hell. My addiction brought me to places I never thought I’d experience in my life. I hurt the people that loved me the most. including my daughter. All I cared about was myself. I wasn’t sure what to do next, but I knew I needed to change the way I was living.

The second picture is me now, with nine months sober, which is amazing to me. I came to Florida to change my life. Ever since that day, I’ve been fighting for my sobriety, taking suggestions, and putting in the work. It hasn’t been an easy journey, and I’m still dealing with things from my past, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. The friendships I’ve built within the fellowship have helped me in numerous ways. I am continuously striving to be a better person, not only for myself but for my daughter.” – October 22, 2019

“The picture on the left is me in active addiction, I did not realize at the time but I had no control over my life at all! The last four years of my life had gotten so bad that I had a constant feeling of hopelessness. My addiction took me to a very dark place in life, but luckily my family never gave up on me. Today I have four Months sober! I started with a goal of staying clean long enough to not be dependent on drugs and alcohol, and with the help of Foundations Wellness, I was able to not only stay clean but get to the root of my addiction and acquire the tools to better my life in all aspects!” – October 15, 2019

“The picture on the left is me at my worst, I was broken down, beaten up and didn’t feel like I was supposed to have a meaningful life. My addiction took me to places where I never want to be again. I struggled with letting down my family and feeling like I was not the man that God made me to be. The more I tried to do everything on my own, the worse it got for me. I was I unwilling to accept help from anyone at all. Although my family never gave up on me I felt as if I’d almost gave up on myself. I lost all hope and finally went through enough pain to want to change.

The picture on the right is me today, I have worked hard at my sobriety and never gave up, I was stubborn in my addiction, so I decided to be stubborn about my sobriety. I just didn’t pick up or give up, no matter what. It was not the easiest road, but this is what I needed to become the man I am transforming into today. Yesterday, on September 30, 2019, I celebrated one year of continuous sobriety! I am truly grateful for the people in my life today and everyone who has helped me in the journey. Thank you Foundations Wellness!” – October 1, 2019