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Debra, a former patient who now volunteers at Fairbanks, says that the best thing she received from her time in recovery here, was when she left.

“I had to face life on my own, and I learned I wasn’t afraid anymore – I could feel the peace.”

Being at Fairbanks, Debra says, helped her find the woman she’s been hiding all these years. “When I look in the mirror, I can say I actually like this person,” she says. “I had to deal with all my emotions and stuff. Before recovery, my emotions were in a bottle.”

“My biggest thrill is talking with the other women at Fairbanks,” she says. “They think I’m helping them…they’re helping me.”
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The disease of addiction often affects the entire family. When Melinda’s mother, Adell, was struggling with alcoholism, Melinda found herself feeling hopeless.

“Before my mother embraced treatment and recovery, I was certain that her addiction was going to kill her,” said Melinda. “I came to Fairbanks because I didn’t know what else to do, or where else to go. I just knew that we needed help. I told my mother that I couldn’t help her, but I knew a place that could.” That place was Fairbanks.

“Recovery means bringing life back to a loved one, and it has truly been a blessing for her, our family and me,” said Melinda. “I’m indebted to Fairbanks forever.”
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“For me rock bottom isn’t a place, it’s a feeling,” added Frank.

Frank chose recovery on September 13, 1996 when he came to Fairbanks. Although he had attempted sobriety many other times, this time he wanted it for good.

“Fairbanks had my best interest,” said Frank. “Everyone at Fairbanks helped me get honest and cut through the denial to see who I really was.” According to Frank one of the ways he stays sober is through volunteering at Fairbanks with the adolescents. For him, it is how he gives back.

“Life today is 180 degrees different from what it was when I was using,” said Frank. “It’s not what I have, it’s how I feel.”
READ FRANK'S STORY>>