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Thoughts and testimonies from current residents...
"Since arriving at New Horizons almost 2 years ago this house has become my safe home while on my journey" -Leslie
"The New Horizons Living Center is a great sober house. I arrived there on December 5th, 2011, immediatley after I had completed an impatient rehab program. As soon as I got there, I began to meet interesting and unique people who were enjoying their lives and having fun, yet they were completely sober. This is something that I had not even known was a possibility before. The first night there, I remember I went to an N.A. meeting. I was suprised to see how many other people go to these meetings. Some were my age, some older, and some younger. This encouraged me because it let me know that I wasn't going through this alone. It's a rule of the house that we attend at least five meetings a week. In addition, we each have chores which we are expected to complete each day. The combination of the meetings and the chores teaches us responsibility. It also gets us involved in the sober community, and on top of that, leaves the house looking remarkably clean. I have heard many times that we were complimented by visitors on how the house looked amazing and spotless. It's a cool house, too. It has three floors, wide screen TV's, great internet access, hot showers, two refigerators, and comfortable couches, among many other things. Not only is it a cool house, but it has helped me get my life on the right track. Since I have been here I managed to enroll in school, and am getting very good grades. Also, with the help of some great counselors, I have been able to gain a better faith in God. At one point in my life I was starting to lose faith, as I had made some bad mistakes and had seen some pretty terrible things happen to myself. I was beginning to believe that the world was going to hell. However, with the help of my counselors, I learned the importance of believeing in a higher power. I now attend curch every Sunday, and pray often. This is something that I wouldn't have done before, I don't think that I had gone to church for over eight years before I got here, and honestly, I feel a lot better about myself after I finish praying there. In conclusion, I would definitely recommend New Horizons Living Centers to anyone in recovery. I have had a very positive experience, learned many new things, and met many new people. I've not only strengthened my relationship with God, but with my family as well. They are happy that I am starting to move forward with my life to create a better future, and leave the past as history. I feel that I'm a much more responsible person than i was last year, and I owe thanks to New Horizons."- Dale
"I moved into New Horizons after being discharged from Alliance treatment center after 26 days of treatment. My emotions were mixed
. I felt I had acquired a vast amount of recovery based knowledge and also gained some insight into my own psyche. I defragmented my individuality to answer questions about which direction to move in my sobriety. I wanted to continue moving in a positive direction, keep growing, and learn about myself. On the other hand being kicked out of treatment came as a shock to me. It was devastating to know that yet again my sneaky old behaviors and defiance resulted in termination from another program. It was a relief when I spoke with Dr. William Crandall, the director of New Horizon Living Center, because he allowed me to move in right away. My father brought me over to the house where we would have an interview and start the application/admission process. I already had my things packed from rehab and was ready to move in as soon as possible. When I arrived I was warmly welcomed by a resident. I was plagued with anxiety and acted very reserved. Dr. Crandall was anything but reserved; he got me out of myself, and out of my head. He assured my father that I was in good hands. I was ready to make the most out of the hand I was dealt. I had a few previous experiences with sober houses. The problem had always been how alone I felt, and how little motivation I had for improving my life- the problem was me not the houses. The difference between New Horizon and other houses was the invested interest the director had in the lives of the resident. A feature that I believe is unique to New Horizons and plays a crucial role in my recovery are the weekly counseling sessions I receive from the director. I have never felt so comfortable with being clean & sober as I do now. I feel supported but not enabled by my new found family. I no longer have feelings of loneliness. It is truly amazing how much I have grown in such a short period of time. The seedling was there it just needed to be nurtured to mature and blossom into a beautiful flower. My relationships with the other residents have also evolved. We have a responsibility to help each other and we take it very seriously. I am extremely grateful to have the life I live now and I know I will achieve my dreams because I’m worth it." -Sita
"Stuck on a downward spiral that would ultimately lead to death and destruction, I knew I didn’t want the life of an active drug addict. I wasn’t willing to throw up the white flag and surrender. Day after day of the same insane thinking lead me to an 8x4 jail cell. Cold and depressed, I secretly plead with God to just allow me to go to sleep and never wake up. I had not only disappointed myself, but I had hurt the people I cared about most, my family. My disease progressed to the point of self destruction and I had compromised every moral I had ever took pride in. I used more and more to alleviate the pain and feeling of disappointment. I hated myself for allowing myself to fall into the rat race once again. Although my family saw the signs that indicated I was using once again, I still proclaimed my innocence. I was living in a rooming house filled with seedy people who secretly used the same way I did. On January 9th I got arrested and charged with larceny, robbery, and use of drug paraphernalia. Dope sick, depressed, and broken I sat with myself all weekend and tried to piece together what brought me to this point in my life once again. Today I can tell you that I am so relieved and grateful that I got arrested because it provided me with a window of opportunity to choose to get help. I was transported to the courthouse on Monday morning after spending the weekend detoxing in lock up. I was about to face the court but more importantly, it was time to face myself, my God, and my family. I am eternally grateful for my parents because without them, I would not be where I am today. They have been by my side through active addiction, abstinence, and recovery for the past seven years, so needless to say, I wasn’t pulling the wool over their eyes. They knew I needed help long before I did. The insanity of this disease is that the only person who didn’t think I needed help was myself. I wasn’t fooling anyone. At court I was able to manipulate the system once again. I proposed the idea of outpatient three days a week and drug screening once a week and the court accepted. Once I knew I was being released my diseased thinking kicked in once again. I planned on using that very afternoon but my higher power intervened; thank God. I was left walking with no car, money, or hope. My parents knew that I was not going to succeed with those stipulations and they took matters into their own hands. I was given an ultimatum; come to New Horizon living Center or fend for myself. My family was done enabling me and only wanted to help from that point forward. Cold, wet, broken, and depressed I agreed. Not more than an hour later I was on my way to Bristol, CT. My life was about to change for the better in so many ways. We arrived and were warmly welcomed by the house manager. I was pessimistic, frustrated, confused, relieved, tired, and happy all at once. Not more than fifteen minutes had passed when the Director, Dr. William Crandall arrived. I observed his zest for life and recovery. He asked me one question, was I willing to make a lifelong commitment to my recovery. He spoke with such enthusiasm and gave me the smallest seedling of hope that soon grew into a giant tree. I am so grateful that I was accepted into the house. I was in a hazy fog for a week or so but I quickly formed individual friendships with each member of the house. I know that my Higher Power, who I choose to call God, sent his angels to watch over me. New Horizon Living Center is the best sober living environment I have ever lived in. The women are true powers of example in life and recovery. We each have unique qualities and help each other live to the best of our ability each day. I am so blessed to be a member of this house. NHLC has given me the chance I needed to blossom and grow in my recovery and spirituality. I have Dr. Crandall and the women in this house to thank for helping me start my journey into recovery and I know my success thus far is because of the opportunity I have been given." -Jenn
"I was handed all of the tools for success. I choose to surrender on a daily basis. I want this! I am so tired of beating myself up, now I am building myself up. I am so grateful I have been given the chance to live a happy and fulfilled life." -Meaghan
"At the age of 47 I surrendered to my alcoholism and went to a 90 day rehab. My alcohol addiction lead me to homelessness and sleeping in a shelter. I had been disowned by my duaghter and brother and his family. Upon graduating I still had no safe place to go afterward. New Horizon Living Center accepted me into their program and gave me a safe & beautiful home. I have a new supportive group of friends that are my family. I renewed my faith in my Higher Power, that I choose to call GOD. My life has changed dramatically and I also have my family back in my life, my daughter included. Doing non-profit work, becoming a house manager, and having a regular day job keep my life full and busy. Life is good, thanks New Horizon Living Center." -Luanne
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