True Stories from Those Who Faced Addiction and Paved a New Way Forward
Story by Alysia Therrien
Photography by Ben Moradi
Addiction isn’t just about those who are suffering, it involves a network of people who are impacted by the disease. The truth is, no one walks through this life without being directly affected by addiction in some sort of way. Whether it’s someone you know, someone in your family, your friend group or yourself, the impacts exist and they are real.
At Brentwood Recovery Home in Windsor, a series titled Recovery Gave Me was developed to shine a light on the powerful transformations that occur through recovery. The series features Brentwood alumni, individuals who have completed the recovery program, offering unfiltered and deeply personal reflections on what recovery has given them.
The main goal of the series is to bring attention to recovery. “There is stigma around mental health and addictions,” as Brentwood’s Executive Director Dr. Sonja Grbevski states, but the series aim is to break away from that. The hope is that individuals will connect to these stories and see how there is hope for a different way of life.
The second goal of the series is to highlight the Brentwood story. The type of people who access Brentwood for support ranges from professionals, parents, siblings, students, athletes—ultimately every walk of life. Addiction, as the series emphasizes, does not discriminate, and neither does recovery. As Sonja suggests, “We need to treat it like every other disease to ensure those affected receive equal care and the same chance for recovery.”
Ben Moradi, a proud Brentwood alumnus, is the creator and first person to share his story in the Recovery Gave Me series. Having graduated from the program, Ben shares how the idea of the series started from a real-life bulletin board that exists in the hallway at Brentwood. It all started with a display board that has ‘Recovery Gave Me’ in the middle and pink Post-it notes nearby. On this board, alumni can take a note and write down their own personal message that shares their appreciation of what recovery did for them. Whether they post anonymously or sign it, Ben shares, “I thought it was beautiful and then I thought let’s bring this to life!”
Ben took the idea to Sonja and she was 100% on board. Sonja supported the entire process because she states, “I have a desire for us to be able to tell our story and to talk about who Brentwood is, what we do, how many lives we touch and how we affect our society.” According to Sonja, Ben exemplifies the Brentwood story, and his vision has brought Brentwood into the homes of people within the community.
Each episode of Recovery Gave Me follows the same intimate format. Participants are invited into a quiet room and asked one simple question: What did recovery give you? They answer as they would in a Brentwood sharing circle without interruption, keeping the authenticity and vulnerability. The result is a raw, unedited glimpse into what life after addiction can look like. Some speak of restored relationships, others of rediscovered purpose. Many talk about gratitude, spiritual awakening and the relief of finally feeling seen and understood.
The simplicity of the question allows space for depth. Recovery doesn’t just give sobriety, it gives back identity, dignity and connection. According to participants Glen and Lise, recovery parallelled with the rebuilding of their marriage. Each went through Brentwood as individuals, but after being separated for some time, they were able to use the program to build back their foundation together. “We learned how to be a husband and wife,” says Glen, “We went there and received hope from those who had gone through the same struggles.”
Glen shares how recovery helped him realize that not everything has to be “my way” and how often we need to give to grow. Lise chimes in by saying that before recovery, she did not know what love or commitment was in a marriage. She shares how the program allows you to ask, share, confide and consult in order to, “Let people know what is really going on.” The Recovery Gave Me series is testament to these difficult conversations, but the alumni know they are worth having. “Having to expose ourselves in that vulnerable state, we had to do those things in front of each other to stop being the enemy and be an ally.”
As an alumni at Brentwood, you are still able to access the facility even once you graduate. The door is always open to you and the Brentwood community is there 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure you never feel alone on your journey. The community plays a vital role even after treatment ends. The series includes footage of one of the very first women who ever went through the Brentwood program, Gladys. Sonja shares, “Here she is in her 80s and is still affiliated with Brentwood. It really speaks to the fellowship and the model we do have to sustain recovery.” She explains that many who arrive at Brentwood have “burnt bridges” and feel completely alone. This is when the alumni step in by offering support, understanding and companionship every step of the way.
To kickstart the video series ‘passion project’, Ben began by simply reaching out to his fellow graduates through email and requesting them to share their stories. At first, people were hesitant to participate, but after a few videos went public they began to understand the vision. In just three months, after the first series aired, responses from people who wanted a chance to share their stories kept coming in. The connection and empowerment captivated them and the fear of telling their truth disappeared. The community’s response was so positive and supportive that they understood the importance of showing up for one another. “People understood they were going to break their anonymity,” says Ben, “but the response, the support from the community, was just beautiful.”
With the help of videographer Hermes R. Gutierrez, 22 episodes were produced for the first season. The series gives Brentwood a new kind of presence, one that is both accessible and deeply human. It’s one thing to read statistics about addiction; it’s another to look into someone’s eyes as they describe getting their life back. Through storytelling, viewers see that recovery is not only possible, but something to be proud of.
The message resonates not only with those in recovery, but also with families, service providers, and anyone who believes in the power of second chances. Each story is a testament to what can happen when people are given support, structure and compassion. Brentwood strives to be a community rooted in kindness and understanding, but their hope is to ensure that those in need receive care and support without having to wait.
The Recovery Gave Me series is about people getting their lives back. As Jeff Sylvestre, one of Brentwood’s Board of Directors points out, the series embodies the vision of Brentwood’s founder Father Charbonneau whose hope was to, “restore relationships and create fellowship.”
To view the Recovery Gave Me series visit Brentwood’s social media pages: linktr.ee/brentwoodrecovery. Lastly, treatment is severely unfunded and every dollar makes a difference. Support the work Brentwood does and donate today at brhdonate.com.
Published in the Holiday 2025 Edition.
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