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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.”
READ DEBRA'S STORY>>

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.”
READ MELINDA'S STORY>>

Cindy came to Fairbanks with the desire to put her drug-using lifestyle behind her.

Now, she is an active volunteer through Fairbanks’ alumni services.

She helps greet individuals and families as they take their first step in seeking treatment at Fairbanks. She helps ease their anxiety by sharing her story. Cindy describes her life as active and full of opportunities to succeed and assist others. She feels that her future, without drugs and alcohol, has a lot in store for her.

“During my use, I described myself as living on the dark side of the moon, but now I am on a brighter side. On this side I feel like I am supposed to help others who are struggling. So I keep reaching out to them, which also keeps me sober.”
READ CINDY'S STORY>>