“When I was in inpatient treatment, I was safe,” Victor reflects. “I was surrounded by recovery 24/7 and fully supported as I learned to live life on life’s terms. But afterwards, you don’t have anything to keep you accountable in the same way.”

To support his continued recovery, Victor enrolled in Renascent’s Continuing Care Program. Through weekly virtual sessions, he met with peers and counsellors in a supportive setting as he adjusted to life after treatment.

“It was a chance to decompress,” he says. “We could talk about recovery, emotions, family, work — all the things that come up once real life starts again.”

The program reinforced many of the lessons Victor learned during treatment while helping him apply them to everyday life. Sessions explored topics like stress, finances, relationships, and emotional regulation, giving participants practical tools to maintain their recovery outside of inpatient care.

For Victor, one of the most valuable lessons involved rebuilding trust with family after treatment.

“I had spent several months working on myself and changing,” he explains. “But for my family, I was still the person I had been in active addiction,” he says. “I had to give them the grace and time to see the changes for themselves.”

Continuing Care helped Victor understand that recovery impacts loved ones, too, and that healing takes patience and consistency.

Over nineteen months into recovery, Victor’s life looks completely different. He is engaged to be married, expecting a baby daughter, working toward a new career, and has regained both his driver’s license and his vehicle. He works full time, stays active in recovery, and sponsors four men.

“Life is amazing today,” he says. “But I make sure I keep recovery at the forefront.” He still attends up to three recovery meetings each week and has recently participated in several speaking engagements, sharing his story with others who may be struggling.

“Life is too precious now. I wouldn’t be here without treatment, Continuing Care, the counsellors, my family, and the recovery community around me.”