“Coming into Brentwood was the best thing to ever happen to my family and myself.
Although my journey through this program took a few attempts, the moment I finally made the decision that enough was enough they welcomed me back with open arms and so much love.
All I had to do was listen to what they were trying to teach me for so long.
My family finally has their daughter and sister back, after 15 years of torment. My friends can trust and depend on me. I get to share my story to help others.
Through Brentwood, I have been able to build my family relationships, work on my finances and rebuild a life I could have never dreamt of.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this fellowship and will continue to make, not only my family, friends and community, but MYSELF proud of the hard work I put into living my best, recovered, life.
Sam K
“I was a shell of a woman when I came to Brentwood. Broken and hopeless. I was a wreck, using daily just to survive. Both my sons were in foster care. My family and partner had given up trying to fix me. I felt so alone. I was full of self hatred and defiance. My childhood trauma shaped my view of the world. My career was ruined by my use of prescription pills. After an accident I found opiates, the drug that would take me to a dark place. In my disease, I did things that I said I would never do.
Coming to Brentwood was not my choice, it was my partner who said; “go or we are done”. At Brentwood I realized I was not alone. I heard alumni share their stories of pain and loss. I was given hope seeing families come back together. I started to trust the alumni and clung to them like a life preserver. They helped me see I was worthy of love and respect in spite of the terrible things I did. My boys and partner are back in my life. My life is full with laughter and happiness today. With gratitude.
Alicia M
“As I reflect today on my 36 years in sobriety. My journey began in 1981 when I called Father Paul Charbonneau to help me with my “marriage”.
I went to the family support meetings at Brentwood for the first 4 years. The ladies were very kind…but I knew there was something wrong in me. For the first 29 years of my life my heart was like a rock. Secrets, lies, resentments and anger controlled me.
Father Paul and Kay Ryan started the women’s addiction treatment program at Brentwood in March 1985 and by August I was enrolled. I remember I was full of fear… but I was met with love!
I was taught that if I had the willingness to share honestly and follow the help I was given, I would find peace in my life.
The compassion, understanding, forgiveness, support and love…these are priceless gifts that I treasure! I am blessed with my family... still growing with grandchildren too!
It doesn’t matter if you have one week, 1 year or 20 years…we each have something to offer…you ARE needed and you ARE loved.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey.
Cheryl C
“I went through Brentwood in 1984. Broke, almost losing my job at Fords and my family. I was broken. Went into Brentwood Thanksgiving weekend and I never looked back. I learned so much about the disease and have a real turnaround in my life. Father Paul took me under his wing with the rest of the counselors and changed my life. I was shown how to be grateful and understanding how to hate the disease, but love the person. The most important thing I learned is that it wasn't all about me now. It is what I can do for others.
That's what Brentwood stands by and teaches. It was a lifesaver for me and a lot of my friends. In return I volunteer and worked the duty desk for 33 years.
Mike B
“Not only did the people at Brentwood change my son, but they changed me as a mother. It allowed me to develop an amazing relationship with my son. When we found Brentwood, I was as much in need of help as my son was. I could not have done this journey without help. Without Brentwood’s help!
By coming to Family Support meetings with an open heart, I found a support system like no others. Brentwood staff have continued to work with my son in his Recovery while I worked my own program. This has allowed us to celebrate and grow in recovery as a family. I will be forever grateful to Brentwood!
Gina Michaud
“Seven years ago, I crawled into Brentwood Recovery home broken, lost, and hopeless. I weighed 89 lbs and had no self worth, full of guilt and shame. I made a lot of bad choices in my past and I never thought I deserved any forgiveness.
Today I am so passionately grateful for my new life. I have so many wonderful people in my life today. I love my family. I now have a wonderful man to share my life with. I have a great job that allows me to help others and give back. I thank God for a second chance to be the woman I was meant to be. Sober life allows me to give and receive Love. 💖 My heart is full.
Thank you to everyone who took part in my growth and supported me through thick and thin. I am truly blessed.
Jeanne Fortier
“After 5+ years of chaos, brokenness and ER visits our 20 year old son was asking for help! They say Brentwood is a place, “Where people need people”. Our family needed the people at Brentwood. The road has been bumpy, and these great, ordinary people have been there for our son and our family bump after bump; with acceptance, understanding, experience, hope and a genuine place to belong. Supporting Brentwood is not about a program that will make us magically better. This is about supporting a place where things get real, so that things can really get better. I will forever be grateful.
Dave Bretzlaff
“Brentwood saved my life and gave my family their husband, father, son, brother and friend back. They helped me become a better person. I have been there for my wife, kids, family and friends. Now, they can count on my support and love no matter what. Brentwood taught me the importance of people in my life, service to others and to accept things as they are. The rewards of a sober life are too many to mention. Brentwood continues to be a very important part of my life. I come back to give back what I have been given.
John D’Amore
“Without Brentwood, I probably would’ve died by now. Recovery has given my family their daughter, sister and mother back to them. I never really understood why since being a little girl that I was different from everyone else. I never felt like I belonged somewhere. My heart opened here. I learned how to love others and myself. I am blessed and very lucky to be a part of Brentwood and alive. Brentwood helped me beat the odds of addiction.
Jamie-Lynn Durham
“I came through the Brentwood Adolescent program when I was 18. I have been sober and involved with Brentwood for 8 years now. The gifts and opportunities I have in my life today because of Brentwood are ones I never thought possible. Brentwood has given me the tools to live a life I can truly be proud of, and more importantly, the gave my parents their son back. The happiness, love and Gratitude I have in my heart today is something I would not trade for anything in the World.
Derek O’Neil
