I am writing to let you know how I am doing since completing my out-patient treatment at your facility.

I have remained clean and sober and I attend “12 Step” meetings regularly.  My counselor recommended that I at least attend a few meetings before I make a judgement about them.  I really didn’t want to go, but I figured that trying a few couldnt hurt.  I really like that nothing was forced on me.  My counselor didn’t make me do anything, just encouraged and recommended.

Thank you, Penn Foundation, for giving me the push I needed to get me to go to meetings.  I have new sober friends that are actually good influences on me.

I have been through inpatient and outpatient programs at Penn Foundation Recovery Center.

I am very impressed with the seamless connection with these 2 programs!  While I was in the Inpatient program, the Aftercare Coordinater set me up with Outpatient for the day after I graduated.  I didn’t have to wait, I just came right in the next day and continued my treatment.

I felt like if I didn’t have this support, it would have been like jumping off a cliff and hoping for the best.  With the help of the Outpatient Department, I had a “step down” rather than a bug jump.

I have nothing but good things to say about the staff, both Inpatient and Outpatient.  They really know what they are doing and have a lot of knowledge that they are happy to share, if you are willing to listen.

My best advice to someone coming into treatment here, inpatient or outpatient, is to listen!  We like to think we have all the answers already, but if we did, we wouldn’t need treatment, now would we?

We usually hear our 2 year olds strongly exerting their independence by loudly declaring “I can do it myself!!”.  We watch them try and fail, then cry with determination the second, third and fourth time “I can do it myself!!”.

I am the proud mother of an alcoholic/addict who has just realized, with your help, that he can not overcome his addiction alone.  The most difficult time I have ever faced, with any of my 3 children, has been watching my son declare “I can do it myself” while trying to overcome his addiction.  It is painful to see your child, grown or young, learn by paying the penalty for his/her choices in life.   This experience becomes “extremely” painful when they repeat this “lie” over and over again, leaving more and more wounds.  These wounds are physical and psychological. Guilt, guilt, guilt is the biggest, badest and most unforgiving of these.  But, we must stay strong, resilient and wise for the sake of our childrens’ lives.  I must say, I have never prayed so hard and so long than for this child of mine.

I was very blessed to have wise counsel from Addiction Counselors and a very special Psychiatrist at Penn Foundation Recovery Center.  The most comforting, supportive and wise counselor was our God.  God’s comfort, and the supports He gave us, allowed my husband and I to stay on the course for our son’s long, long journey home.

They helped me to understand that there is something you can do. There are ways to make treatment the only option.  Do not support any of their actions that will enable them to continue in their addiction!!  Do not offer financial help, it will only go to their addiction!!  Do not offer a place to live if they have lost housing due to their addiction!!

My precious son has just completed his inpatient program at Penn Foundation and is now participating in outpatient treatment.  He is attending an AA meeting every day.  He has learned to identify his “triggers”, accepts this is a life long endeavor and works on his recovery “one day at a time”.

We all need to remember and work at practicing that little piece of wisdom with great reward - “One day at a time”.

Thank you for the support you have given me in my early recovery.  I came to Penn Foundation Out Patient department for help, this was my first time in any sort of treatment.

I was assigned a counselor, went to group and saw the Psychiatrist, Dr. Newton.  “Doc” (as she asked to be called) prescribed some medication to help with my anxiety and depression.  I had never tried “real” meds for that, I had always “self medicated” with drugs to help myself feel normal.

The combined treatment I received (individual counselling, group counselling, and Psychiatric help) was exactly what I needed.  I am finally starting to feel pretty normal without having to use drugs for the first time in my life.

Thank you, Penn Foundation, I couldn’t have done this without your help.

My son was recently seen in your outpatient department.  I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the professional service he received.  He was sent to Penn for legal reasons, and did not think he had a problem with alcohol.  He thought it was normal to get a DUI - he said “it could happen to anybody”.  Through his time at Penn Foundation, he learned that not everyone gets DUI’s.  It doesn’t necessarily mean he is an “alcoholic”, but it means he needs to take a look at his behaviors and choices.

I don’t know what the future holds for my son, but thanks to Penn Foundation, he is a lot more aware of how his actions could affect him and his family in the future.

Thank you for not preaching, but teaching.

Yesterday I was at the beauty salon, and as I was drying my nails, the woman sitting across from me asked where I worked. When I told her Penn Foundation, she told me her story.

The short version is:

Her youngest daughter has been in our “Partial Hospital Program” & is now seeing Jonathan for outpatient treatment.

She had nothing but praise for the Recovery Center & the treatment her daughter has received.

When she was younger, her daughter had received counseling, but had never connected with & only “tolerated” her therapists.

She is more than pleased with the help & care that they have received at Penn Foundation Recovery Center.

As parents of a young adult with addiction issues, we were delighted when our son completed his first full year as a sober person.  Our joy was nothing compared to the joy he experienced.   He walked the walk and followed the 12 step program and while we were supportive of him during that time, we recognized that during those days, weeks, months and then years of early recovery, just about anything can happen that can derail the progress the addicted has made during his walk along the “Long and Winding Road.”

Addiction issues hit your family like a violent storm.   You may not get advanced warning, but you seek shelter and advice on how to weather the many issues that your family will face.   Penn Foundation Recovery Center provided an excellent shelter with resources and programs that helped us work through the problem.   Our son found help and began the basic steps he needed to begin his recovery.   Was the process perfect? Sadly, no, because humans will sometimes fail to follow and hold to the things that will keep them sober, but the good news is that resources are there to help the addicted find there way along the path to sobriety.

Our journey continues and as parents we want others to know that you must support those you love and care about and help them see they have a purpose in life.   Our son has told us several times that if we did not take the firm stands against his drug and alcohol life style he may have decided to end his life.   We were not going to let that happen.

I am delighted to write and express my gratitude for the support I experienced at your facility.

I had an appointment with your Director which resulted in a prompt and caring meeting between my son and one of your Mobile Engagement Counsellors, Pat.  Pat was outstanding in his non-threatening approach and gentle manner.  He provided my son with information of services and questioned him in a caring and non-threatening way.  This resulted in a positive step for my son when he agreed to another appointment.

Pat is gifted in his approach and remains professional.  You are, no doubt, aware of Pat’s abilities, but I wanted to express my appreciation to you, both for the prompt attention and for the positive interactions with Pat.