Breaking the cycle of addiction with Fresh Start Recovery Centre

Sometimes getting a clean slate is all someone needs to be able to beat drugs or alcohol. The Fresh Start Recovery Centre has helped people overcome their addictions for 30 years now. In Lethbridge they have 73 beds available to help out those seeking support. The group held an open house on Friday to welcome members of the community to hear more about who they are.

The operations manager of the organization, Tony Kokol, is a recovered addict himself and relayed his testimonial of overcoming addiction by coming to the Recovery Centre 15 years ago.

“I previously worked the oil patch, I used to consult. I was a tool pusher on the service rigs. Quite successful. And substance abuse took me down. Took me down to a path of homelessness. Imprisonment and homelessness. Total dissension. At 47 years-old, I landed at a spot in my life where I had no other alternative. It was either to die or to get well. I landed at the doors of Fresh Start and they embraced me and they welcomed me when nobody else really would and offered me a solution. And that solution was treatment. That was twelve steps and support.”

Bruce Holstead, the executive director of Fresh Start has been sober for 24 years. He stressed the importance of what the organization does to help those struggling with substance abuse, “It’s a place that we offer people an opportunity to clean up, change their lives and recover. To reintegrate back into society. A safe place which they can work through the issues that brought them to the point of addiction.”

Officials from the Recovery Centre say they incorporate a 14-16 week recovery program that includes counseling, group facilitated treatment, fitness and balancing nutritious meals.