Testimonials
Don’t take our word, see what students, alumni, and their loved ones have to say about Alina Lodge…
Our Graduates' Testimonials
"When I arrived at Alina Lodge, I did not know what to expect. I had agreed to try one more treatment center. After several months, I was able to leave Alina Lodge, happy and healthy. I really am living a life beyond my wildest dreams, and it all started on a June day, when I entered a place called Alina Lodge."
- Donna B. - Alumni
"My stay at Alina Lodge and Haley House gave me a foundation again. It was very hard and I cried a lot and was angry. I received grief counseling, anger management and a new Higher Power. I had the best counselor imaginable and she helped me regain my footing and work the first 7 steps and prepare for amends. Early recovery was not easy for me but it was part of a journey that has resulted in a beautiful life. I have made amends and have relationships with my children and family that I never dreamed of. I have tremendous gratitude because my life is blessed and the Promises have come true."
Allison W. - Alumni
"I was a classic re-lapser who could white knuckle abstinence for years but inevitably the drinking cycle began and the spiral down became quicker, the lengths of abstinence shorter. After losing everything: family, career, love of life and hope, I realized in my drunken state that I needed a rehab program lasting more than twenty-eight days, or I was going to die. I believe things happen for a reason and Alina is the best thing that could have come into my life. I used to cringe at the thought of being a grateful alcoholic, or that I spent a year in rehab, but today I can honestly say I am so grateful to Alina as is my family. I am alive and thriving. The promises are coming to fruition, I have a new happy life with three plus years of sobriety."
- Poul H. – Alumni
"It has been over 4 years since I first entered the gates of Alina Lodge and thinking back on my time there fills my heart with gratitude, love and fond memories. I was admitted to the Lodge a broken, hopeless, self-centered and lost 22 year old. Somewhere during my long term stay, I changed and became a woman of integrity. The Lodge saved my life. I will remain forever grateful to the Lodge and all of the staff for taking part in my transformation. "
- Amy D., Alumnae - Alumni
"Alina Lodge cleared my black, hollowed soul, filled it with light, soothed it with faith, and nurtured it with hope. I am forever grateful. "
- Liz S. – Alumni
"The friends I made during my time at Alina are my story keepers and our bond remains strong. We watched each other wrestle with this disease. We pulled each other through the fallout of our consequences. We rose together and learned how to get well. They remind me of where I was and where I am going. It was in those vulnerable, fragile, and desperate times coupled with deep sober belly laughs where I found light and love and the courage to recreate my life. I am forever grateful and that is why to this day, Alina Lodge makes it onto my gratitude list every evening. "
- Ally C. – Alumni
"I was a classic re-lapser who could white knuckle abstinence for years but inevitably the drinking cycle began and the spiral down became quicker, the lengths of abstinence shorter. After losing everything: family, career, love of life and hope, I realized in my drunken state that I needed a rehab program lasting more than twenty-eight days, or I was going to die. I believe things happen for a reason and Alina is the best thing that could have come into my life. I used to cringe at the thought of being a grateful alcoholic, or that I spent a year in rehab, but today I can honestly say I am so grateful to Alina as is my family. I am alive and thriving. The promises are coming to fruition, I have a new happy life with three plus years of sobriety."
- Poul H. – Alumni
"I came through the gates of Alina Lodge broken and full of shame and remorse. I could barely make eye contact with anyone, let alone myself. I had just gotten my second DUI and had lost my job. I was and felt like a hopeless alcoholic. I had many consequences of my drinking. I was very sick in my disease. I was in the eating disorder program at the Lodge and learned how the disease of addiction can manifest itself in many forms. Alina Lodge addresses co-occurring disorders which is a blessing. I love looking people in the eye today and give them a genuine smile. The promises of the program are coming true today a day at a time. I am very grateful for my Alina Lodge family. "
- A.B – Alumni
"I felt welcomed. This was the first place in my seven years of addiction that I felt welcomed. When I walked in the gate, I felt like I was in the right place. They cared enough to peel back the layers of the onion and find out what kind of treatment I needed. The clinical team put me in anger, grief and trauma groups, I saw the psychologist, and more. I was not just a number here. I was someone they cared about. They customized my treatment after they got to know me."
- Chris C. - Alumni
Parents' Testimonials
“Our son wasn’t supposed to have this disease. He was a high achiever, well-liked by peers and teachers. Insidiously, alcohol and drugs took over his senior year of high school. By the time he reached college, and returned home after total academic failure, he wasn’t our son. Addiction had altered every aspect of his personality and our lives were unmanageable.
Helpless, we reached out to Alina. Alina’s extraordinary team immediately supported our tough-love stance, entreating us to stay strong to persevere with equal parts hope and patience. When he finally agreed to admit himself to Alina, his life, and ours changed forever. He spent seven existence-altering months in the Lodge, his journey far from a straight line toward recovery. Yet Alina reminded us often that addictions grip on body, mind and spirit doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does recovery.
Thanks to Alina’s comprehensive approach, including sensitive outreach to our entire family, our son emerged ready to face the world. It’s no exaggeration to say that Alina Lodge saved our son’s life.”
AHC, parent of an alumnus
"After several unsuccessful experiences at other facilities, we finally found the Lodge. The core of its message is simple but profound. Alina Lodge is often called a place for the reluctant to recover, and so it was for our son."
- A grateful parent
"Personally, Alina means to me a haven that that offers hope and a chance for a life free of alcohol and drugs. It means being able to sleep at night not worrying about my son’s whereabouts. It means learning to allow my son to be responsible for his own recovery. I think that Alina saved my son’s life.
My son had had several previous attempts at recovery at other rehabs. But when he disappeared in Tijuana, Mexico my husband and I were frantic. When he returned our counselor recommended the Lodge for him. We didn’t know anything about Alina until then but it sounded like the right place to us.
While my son was at the Lodge we experienced many emotions. Sometimes we wondered if he would ever recover. Often when we visited he was angry, frustrated, ungrateful and stubborn. We learned why our denial, enabling and attempts to control were futile. We learned that we could not solve his problems. We learned to let go and let the professionals and staff at the Lodge do their work. As our son progressed so did my husband and myself. It was not easy. It was work but the results were entirely worthwhile. Our son recently celebrated his 5th year of recovery. He enjoys his life, has a responsible job and is a pleasure to be with. The son who was “lost” is back. We are thankful every day for all that Alina Lodge did for us.”
- Mary, mother of alumnus