Sober Living By The Sea

I was shocked and ashamed when I came to know that my fifteen year old son has become a drug addict! He was not too young to tackle at the same time he was not too adult to make him realized what he is going for. My husband gave me the faith and suggested to get the help from Sober Living. They have a Residential Recovery program which made things easier for us. They have a very well planned the 12-Step model program. They offer group meetings, family counseling, meditation, a healthy diet plan, exercise, spiritual and esteem-building activities to name a few. With the great help and support and the hard work of two years, my son has come out of the drug habit. He is living a Sober Life now and getting good grade in the school. I am impressed with the community program they have and grateful for giving my son's life back. Thank you, thank you, thank you................ more

School days were fun! Had lot of friends and lot of outdoor activities. It resulted in the chemical dependency for cigarette. Earlier it was just after the lunch, then it was thrice in the day and eventually I became a chain smoker! Smoking was hand on hand with my routine activities. One fine day, I made up my mind of getting out of it and a true friend suggested to go for Sober Living. This was a place I was in search for. They have not only treated me for the chemical dependency but also taught me the symptoms of frustration and how to deal with it. It has been two years now, I am free from smoking and living a Sober Life in a real sense. I am so much thankful to this organization that I might have not appropriate words to express. All I can say is, they have given me a new life. Thank you so much! more

Life was treating me good from every sphere. One bad accident changed it all. I had a severe brain injury and lost my speech. My whole right part of the body was not working and I was facing difficulties in using my logical sense!! I was under a treatment and brain injury was at the urge of healing. Somebody came to visit me in the hospital and suggested to have some alcohol to get rid of the problems I was facing. Condition got worst instead of getting better. Then a doctor suggested to go for Sober Living. According to him, his treatment was over and I as in the need of some help from Sober Living. My life literally got saved over here. The therapists, counselors, lecturers and the staff helped a lot to heal the brain injury completely. Thanks a bunch to Sober Living who saved my life from the alchohol which was nothing but an out come of my frustration! more

Eric VandenNoort facilitates our weekly sober fishing excursions (among many other roles at our treatment center). This is a letter from a parent that he received in December 2009. Names have been changed to protect anonymity. Dear Eric, We're not sure if you really understand the powerful connection and intense impact you and your early Sunday morning fishing trips had on ""Tom"" and his recovery from alcoholism and depression. He is doing fantastic with his life, work, family, and girlfriend. We think of you, pray for you, and are grateful that you came into ""Tom's"" life. Every day you make a difference in someone's life, whether you hear about it or not. That's very powerful and I am sure many people are grateful for your help. We are a part of this group of grateful people. Thanks for all you did to help our son ""Tom"" this past summer in Newport Beach. Many blessings to you this Holiday Season. ""Terry and Sarah? more

The important thing for me if I'm having an ""off"" day is always JUST STARTING to change RIGHT NOW beginning with my attitude, and then in action. If I fail, I can always try again. There no real penalty for BEING HUMAN (ie. being imperfect). This is how is all started for me -- just STARTING RIGHT NOW to admit my problems and then just give GETTING BETTER a chance RIGHT NOW! more

Hi, my name is Matt R. and I attended Sober living in the winter/spring of 2002. I have not found it necessary to pick up a drink or a drug since. My sobriety date is 1/26/02. Huge influences in my time there were my case manager David Hickman, my first house manager Chris S, and guys like Johnny O, Paul C, and Jeff H. These people along with many others definitely saved my life! more

It is difficult to explain in a short letter how much my life has changed since attending the T.E.A.C.H. program and of course Sober Living by the Sea. Like a lot of us my rehab experience started out as a sentence for another probation violation. I guess I was captured by the fellowship when I look back on it. I was totally unwilling when I first got there. What started as an intervention between my sister and my lawyer has turned out to be nothing less than an act of Providence. My educational experience was actually more of the vocational variety put together very well through the T.E.A.C.H. staff. I was completely computer illiterate upon arriving at Sunrise Recovery Ranch on May 17th, 2004. This has remained my sobriety date. I ended up receiving long term care at Sober Living by the Sea until Dec 18, 2004 and started my new job on Dec. 20, 2004 (the same place I'm employed today). The photoshop program and basic computer literacy were a requirement of my current job that learned in the TEACH Program at Saddleback College. I am very grateful today for the experience that changed my whole life! more

I want to fill you in on my recovery. I go to a meeting everyday, and I h ave made many new friends in sobriety. I chair a speaker meeting on Wednesday nights, I have 2 sponsees, I do service work, and I am currently the GSR for my home group on Sunday. I know it is a ""we"" program and I count on my higher power quite a bit. I couldn't have done it without the help of your treatment program and wonderful people like David Hickman and Don Peters!! Both men were very influential in my recovery. I see Gianna K occasionally (another Sober Living by the Sea alum) and I recently ran into Tracy S as well. She was finally sober after a 15 month relapse!! Linda N and I talk frequently. She still lives and works in Costa Mesa. She just celebrated 4 years too. We are good friends now but had trouble getting along as roommates! Anyway, you asked for an update, so that's about all for now. Please tell Don and David I am doing great! Thanks again for the newsletter. more

My name is Mark S. I left treatment in May 2002 after being in rehab with you guys for 9 months. My sobriety date is 8/31/01. I participated in the T.E.A.C.H. College Program... I hope you can pass along to everyone in that program how incredible my life is now. More about my success: After I finished up the work I started in TEACH program at Orange Coast College, I transferred to Chapman University where I graduated in December of 2006 with a B.S. in Psychobiology (including Psychology Department Honor Rool and Deans List Honor). My graduating GPA was 3.89 which is amazing considering that I was kicked out of Indiana University with a 0.89 GPA for three semesters worth of work. I took the LSAT and did quite well. I was accepted to USC Gould School of Law where I am currently studying. I used to go to the alumni meeting every week (say hi to Bart for me); as a matter of fact, I was the secretary of that meeting for 6 months or so. Now that I've moved to LA don't get into town much. I will be in town this Saturday 9/29/09 to take my 8 year chip at the Charle Street Meeting. Maybe I'll stop by Sober Living by the Sea. That's all I've got for now, just checking in. Say hi to Johnny O, Chris Swanberg, and anyone else who's been there since 2001. more

Hello all, how are things in California? I'm still sober from my visit back in 2002. My recovery program is going great and just wish I can tell everyone who may be struggling that that recovery starts anytime when you want it too start ad are willing to take direction. Don't miss the miracle! Thanks too all the staff for their direction and trust in this new way of life. Double thanks to Barbara Cole on her work and dedication to recovery. Take care, more

I am living in Boca Raton, FL and I am a junior at Lynn University. Surprisingly enough, I am living with Rachel who I met when I was out in California for treatment. We are both 6 months sober and enjoying this new-found healthy and happy lifestyle! We speak of the program often and remember you all fondly. We remember your program as a profoundly positive experience that saved our lives. I hope all is well on the west coast and best wishes! more

Thank you for giving me my life back. A lot has changed in my life since I arrived at Sober Living by the Sea. On October 2, 2009 I will have 6 years of sobriety. In those 6 years, I have graduated from college, gotten married, enrolled in law school and became a father. I have been married 5 years in February and am in my 2nd year of law school at University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law (one of thew top law schools in the country). My son Anthony was born on July 5 of 2007 and it has been a continual joy being a father. At first blush it seems that I have quite a bit on my plate, but that is what has kept me sober. The more I bite off, the more driven I become. All for being only 27. I thank you for your contact and if you should need me for anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. more