Testimonials
AARC has changed the lives of many families. This program can change yours, too.
Read testimonials from parents and graduates to learn about their 12-step journey and how AARC helped them change their lives for the better.
Dona, AARC Graduate Mom
The commitment to the program seemed daunting and overwhelming, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to my family.
“Eleven years ago, as a result of his addiction to alcohol and drugs, my son had stopped attending school, had given up a promising future in hockey and healthy supportive friendships. We were a family in crisis and after meetings with management at his school, counsellors and visits to doctors at the hospital we found our way to AARC. Initially, the commitment to the program seemed daunting and overwhelming, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to my family.
Today, I have a great life and am very proud of my son’s accomplishments and successes. When he is not completing his master’s degree in psychology, he works at AARC giving help and support to other youth who have destroyed their lives through addiction. Our family’s return to health and happiness started with our first day at AARC. I will always be grateful to the amazing staff of this organization because they went the distance, no one else would, for every member of my family.”
Steve, AARC Graduate
I was so scared of going back to drugs but I was also terrified of living life without them.
“Nothing can describe the darkness I felt as a hopeless 15-year-old drug addict. I was living on the street and was stealing money to buy drugs. My entire life's purpose was to get high. I didn't care about anyone or anything and I only cared about taking my pain away. Finally one night, even the drugs stopped working. I had been doing drugs all day and all night and it wasn't taking the pain away. As I walked around town, I didn't know what to do and I found myself at my parents' house. I rang the doorbell and for the first time truly asked for help. The next day, my dad and I were in the car on our way to Calgary to go to AARC. I was so scared; so scared of going back to drugs but I was also terrified of living life without them.
AARC was the best thing that ever happened to me. It changed my life completely. I learned to deal with my feelings, with my pain and with my shame. I returned to school, eventually making my way to university where I earned a Bachelors of History. Today, my life is amazing. I am a teacher, I am married to the most amazing woman, and I have spent the last six years living and travelling around the world. All of that aside, today, I can say that I am at peace. I feel like a different person when I think about the hopeless kid who couldn't go a day without getting high.
Every day, I am thankful for AARC and the staff that work there because they could see the light when all I could see was the darkness.”
Pat, AARC Graduate Mom
It has been over 8 years now since we walked through the doors of AARC and our life has changed dramatically for the better.
"Our life before AARC was a complete nightmare, something that I never ever thought would happen to my family. My husband and I did all the things we thought parents should do with their kids. We went on camping and skiing holidays. We went hiking together, had family dinners, registered them in sports, but none of this could save my two younger sons from getting into drugs and alcohol. For several years, we tried everything we could think of but every night we went to bed praying that they would live to see the next day. I prayed to find someone who could relate to them because I knew in my heart my husband and I were not the answer. I had heard about AARC in 2003 from a graduate of the program who shared her story about how AARC had saved her life. However, denial is very powerful and it wasn't until 2006 that our denial finally shattered and we knew we needed expert help. Dr. Vause and his caring staff turned out to be the answer to my prayers. They could relate to my sons and help them see that drugs and alcohol were not the solution but in fact, the problem. Our youngest son, who was 17 at the time, went into AARC first and then 10 days later, our middle son at 19 years of age, signed himself in.
We spent just over 8 months in AARC and all 5 family members received help. It has been over 8 years now since we walked through the doors of AARC and our life has changed dramatically for the better. We still have our ups and downs but thanks to AARC we now have a true family, one that is not only surviving but thriving. AARC is the only solution for adolescents who are out of control with their addictions. I would highly recommend the program."
Jolene, AARC Graduate
I felt hopeless. My addiction had brought my family and I to our knees.
“From a young age, I had a broken family. Once I started using drugs and alcohol, things only became worse. I felt hopeless and my addiction had brought my family and me to our knees. We felt like there was no option, but luckily, there was AARC. Being at AARC was painful because I couldn't hide in my delusion anymore. I became honest and the people around me inspired me and helped me to realize that my life could be better. I kept working and gained not only sobriety but an incredible life. I am now succeeding in school and starting a new job to fundraise for charities. My family and I never imagined that this life was possible for me. I am beyond grateful that it is mine & AARC was our journey.”
Paula, AARC Graduate Mom
Thankfully, AARC treats the whole family.
“Eight years ago, you would never have convinced me we would be enjoying time together as a family, but we are.
Before we went to AARC, I remember waiting in a restaurant on Thanksgiving because my son’s sister desperately wanted to see her brother who was 16 and not living with us. We were stood up again, for drugs.
When we went to AARC, I was just hoping we could drop my son off and run away. I was a crazy mom trying to shut a difficult son out of my heart and mind. Needless to say, I had become cold person in an effort to cope with my situation.
Thankfully AARC treated the whole family, otherwise I don't think I would have had it in me to ever trust my kid (or myself) again.
We got our family back (now expanded by an amazing daughter-in-law and two grandsons) and amazing friends we still see and treasure. Jordan now works for a treatment centre for young men, and interestingly his young life, though disturbing, provided him with a passion and understanding for others that is beautifully purposeful…and yes, we have even found a way to love and forgive each other. I respect him, and I feel he respects me too.
AARC was one of the most meaningful year of our lives…the beautiful years that have followed that one year would have never happened without AARC."
I'd like to thank all of the AARC staff that saved me by showing me a different way of life.
Chanel, AARC Graduate
"Prior to AARC, my life was headed downhill. I wasn't doing so well in school and I was constantly getting into arguments with my family. The heavy drug/alcohol use left me feeling sick and unhealthy. Arriving at AARC was pretty stressful because I was full of denial, however once I got comfortable, I began to really learn about how to better myself as a person and how drinking and doing drugs was negatively affecting my life. I'd like to thank all of the AARC staff that saved me by showing me a different way of life. Now that I've graduated the program, I am 3 years sober, I've graduated college, I have a consistent/well-paying job, I have a great relationship with my family, etc. I am now somewhere I would have never imagined myself to be 3 years ago. Thank you."
AARC Graduate Mom
My sweet little boy had turned into a stranger...always angry, on edge and sullen.
"Life with my son when he was in high school was a nightmare. He was always missing classes, failing subjects and out all hours of the night. Weekends were even worse. But denial is a powerful thing, as I was constantly telling myself that he was just in a phase and he would grow up however, part of me knew something was wrong as the last thing I told him whenever he left the house was "stay safe". Many nights I would lay awake listening for him to come home, breathing a sigh of relief when I heard him finally come in the door. When he was home, my sweet little boy had turned into a stranger. He was always angry, on edge and sullen. Growing up he had always been happy, open and full of laughter.
I would like to say that my husband and I found AARC and begged my son to go. But the truth is that it was his decision from the beginning. He handed us the paperwork and told us that the only way for him to go was if we, as a family, supported him. To be honest, my first reaction was that I didn't see a need for us to go through "treatment" as we didn't have a problem! Was I ever wrong!
Our journey through AARC was the greatest gift we could have ever received. We graduated from AARC in 2007 and my son recently celebrated 8 years of sobriety. I am so proud of him and the hard work that has brought him this far. To see him travel, own his own home, work hard and enjoy the company of a great group of friends is more than I could have imagined that first day at AARC. Today life is good! AARC is truly a remarkable program and we will be forever grateful for all it has done for my son and for our family."
Katherine, AARC Graduate
My parents searched everywhere until they found AARC. My family moved from Vancouver to Calgary to save me.
"Before AARC, I was in a scary, downward spiral; one in which I had no concern for the welfare of myself or my family. My parents were lost with what to do with me and how to intervene in my destruction because I made it very clear that I was not prepared to change. My parents searched everywhere until they found AARC. My family moved from Vancouver to Calgary to save me. Once I was in AARC, I found it hard to believe my life had gotten so bad as a result of my drug and alcohol addiction. I was in so much denial when I came into treatment. It took time to come to realize I didn't want the life I had created for myself and I owe that to the love, attention and example the AARC staff gave me while there.
While in AARC, I was able to grow up and build a foundation that allowed me to go back to high school and finish my diploma. As a result of staying sober, I have been able to turn 18, graduate college and university, buy a home, and get married sober. As I am writing this, I am about to graduate and receive a professional designation (7 years in the making) - a feat I never even imagined I would have been able to do. I work within an industry that relies on integrity and I am proud to say I have that today. I am content with my life and owe it to the way of living AARC introduced me to 12 years ago. I also have relationships with my family that I am grateful for and now I am able to be a daughter, wife, and sister. I am happy with myself and would not want to trade the life and self-esteem I have today for what I left behind in 2002. AARC is not easy and at times I didn't know if I could do it, but I do not think I could have done it without the AARC staff who had gone through the program before me."
Corinne, AARC Graduate Mom
I watched as my youngest child was destroying his life...it tore my heart out.
Living with Marc before recovery was a nightmare. I never knew what I would be coming home to. I was always checking to see if things were missing or if I was going to get phone calls from the police or having them at my door for something else that Marc had done. I watched as my youngest child was destroying his life. The boy that I loved was lost to me and it tore my heart out. When I found AARC, I couldn't believe that this was the only long-term treatment that was available for kids; however, I knew this was the right place. Anything short-term wasn't going to work for Marc. Family treatment was scary but I knew that by this time I needed help too. We were in treatment for ten months and these were the most challenging and amazing months of our lives. I was challenged to change my thinking and face my issues in much the same way that Marc was.
Watching the courage that it took for Marc to face head-on the disease of addiction in his life has been a privilege and an honour. We graduated from AARC in November 2011 and in January 2012 Marc celebrated his first year of sobriety. Today, I live with two mottos in my life: 'Life is all about Progress NOT Perfection' and 'The best life lived is today, not yesterday's regrets or tomorrow's fears’.
Danielle, AARC Graduate
Before I was admitted into AARC, I was a lost, lonely teenager...I could never have imagined that life could be this good.
"Before I was admitted into AARC, I was a lost, lonely teenager with a severe drug and alcohol addiction. My family was torn apart and our lives were in constant turmoil. At 16 years old, I was admitted into AARC, which at the time I didn't know, was a true blessing in disguise. I was petrified and full of denial. I was forced to look at the wreckage that my addiction had caused.
After 11 months of treatment, I left AARC with a new life and friends that loved me and supported me.
Life has had many ups and downs and it hasn't been perfect by any means, but today I am proud to say that I am almost 9 years sober. I have married the love of my life and have the most beautiful daughter. I could never have imagined that life could be this good. AARC has given me a gift in which I will never take for granted. Thank you AARC for teaching me to live one day at a time."
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