A Letter from the CEO

Hi Friends,

Every day, we triumph! Learning to recognize these triumphs teaches us to love ourselves a little more each day, whether it be for something simple like getting up early enough to get a coffee or something substantial, like reaching a significant recovery goal.

The fact that recovery is by no means an easy process is one of the reasons why celebrating our successes is so crucial to our recovery path. Without a doubt, when we initially started our journey, we probably thought we’d never get there. As we progress through recovery, which can seem like an impossible mountain to climb, recognizing each accomplishment offers us something to strive for and demonstrates that it wasn’t as difficult as we anticipated.

When we don’t feel like we’ve achieved the goal we set for ourselves, we have a propensity to berate ourselves. However, we frequently fail to recognize the effort it took to get there. When we give ourselves praise during recovery, we are teaching ourselves to be proud of ourselves and to value the daily effort we put into our journey. Also, celebrating a win goes beyond merely giving ourselves a pat on the back. Every time we celebrate a success, we are also celebrating the new abilities we have gained and obstacles we have overcome.

We say that recovery isn’t easy, but sometimes loving ourselves seems difficult too. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Celebrating our victories teaches us to love ourselves by not dwelling on what hasn’t been done, but by taking pride in what has been. There’s no doubt that recovery can seem like a mountain, but breaking it down into its little hills, valleys, and ridges can show us that making progress every day is just as important as getting to the top.

Brandy Anderson, Founder and CEO

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Foundation Completion: Kyle N.

Phase Advancement Letter- Phase 4 to Alumni Care

My date of intake is 9/29/2021. I’ve been in recovery for almost 13 months. I am meeting my recovery goals by not acting out of emotions, stopping to think before I act, and by playing the tape all the way through. Some high-risk situations are old, using friends, all using places, and other people using. Some skills I’ve learned is to call my sponsor or support person, and to always have an exit plan ahead of time. Some high-risk emotions are anger, boredom, or complacency. Since being at ARC, I have regained my license, bought another truck, and rebuilt important family relationships. My future goals are to continue my sobriety, continue to rebuild, family, relationships, and take over most of my responsibilities at my dad’s business. Lastly, I’d like to thank ARC staff for dealing with my stubbornness constantly.

Kyle N.

Jamie Tall: Things I Learned in Early Recovery

Goodbye Letter to Addiction

Dear Addiction,

In the past, whenever a relationship came to an end, it was almost always hard for me to say goodbye, and yes, you and I have been through a lot but this time this goodbye will be easy.

Sure, we had a good time like the day we met when you made me feel so euphoric, and made me believe I had found the love of my life. But that was so long ago and pales in comparison to the shit you put me through.

I’ll admit that in the beginning you did help my pain and you were there through some really hard times. But looking back now, you are the cause of most of those hard times to begin with.

Being with you, with the worst relationship, I’ve ever been a part of. You are a liar and a thief. I’ve wasted the best years of my life on you. You took away my freedom and independence. You took my family, my job, and eventually my home. Not to mention all the material things you stole.

You are manipulative and needy. I’ve tried to leave you plenty of times before and time and again you’ve managed to somehow pull me back in. But not this time. I’ve had enough and you’ve made it to where I have nothing left to lose. Goodbye and good fucking riddance. I’m done with you and I will do what I can to help anyone else from being hurt by you again.

No Love,
Priscilla Y.