Testimonials
A very unique and exciting fact about New Freedom is that we have a great relationship with our graduates, known as alumni. Our alumni regularly attend house meetings, also known as circle, to share their experience, strength and hope with our current clients. We have asked some of these alumni to share with you their experiences at New Freedom.
Ryan J.
Ryan Jeske is a New Freedom alumni and the Executive Director here at New Freedom. Ryan is from Green Bay, WI and had been using drugs and alcohol for 13 years. Ryan's addiction brought him to his knees in November of 2008 when he awoke from an overdose in the ICU. Despite numerous failed attempts at treatment, Ryan completed Nova Counseling Services in December of 2008. He came to New Freedom on January 7, 2009 and graduated the program. He became the live-in house manager and then went on to become the Program Coordinator and after some management changes is now the Executive Director of New Freedom. Ryan has been sober since November 24, 2008.
"New Freedom provided me with the opportunity to succeed in life. This is an opportunity I felt I never had. When I was young, I had the feeling that I was somehow different from everyone around me. I felt as though I had been placed here to suffer and struggle. When I found drugs and alcohol it was, at first, a relief to finally feel a part of. I felt as though I had arrived, like I was now able to breathe and smile and live comfortably in my own skin. It did not take long for the effects to wear off and I was left in a state of incomprehensible demoralization. I was 25 years old and all I had left to my name was a duffle bag full of clothes. There was nowhere left to live and nobody left to talk to. I woke up from an overdose in the hospital and they told me I needed treatment and, for the first time in my life, I agreed. New Freedom saved my life and I will be forever grateful. More than anything I want to give our clients the opportunity I was given. The opportunity to live life free from the bondage that alcoholism creates, free from a life of fear, anger, and worry. I want our clients to live a life they never knew existed."
Alex H.
Alex Halenka is a New Freedom Alumni from Milwaukee, WI. Throughout his addiction Alex has been to numerous detoxes, counseling services, and outpatient treatments but nothing proved to be working in providing long term recovery. Alex entered the care of Nova Counseling Services on October 3, 2006 in Oshkosh, WI at the age of 18 after battling 5 years of alcoholism. After successfully completing Nova Alex moved to Prescott, Arizona on November 1, 2006 and entered New Freedom. He completed New Freedom on August 22, 2007 and made the decision to stay in Prescott and give back to New Freedom as a sponsor and friend to New Freedom's clients. In May of 2010 Alex became the house manager. After some management changes at New Freedom Alex became the Co-Owner and Program Director of New Freedom in October of 2010.
"I came to New Freedom broken and scared about the life I had been living. I was 18 and had never taken care of myself or accepted any kind of personal responsibility. New Freedom treated my alcoholism by giving me the tools to lead a happy and productive life free from alcohol and drugs. Not only did it give me tools and principals to live by, it gave me a fellowship of friends that I now call my family. I entered New Freedom a doubtful and confused boy and graduated a man of focus and clarity."
John R.
John is from Eunice, LA and was addicted to drugs and alcohol for about 10 years. He could not hold down a job and isolated himself from the world. John wished daily for his life to be over. He attended Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center and then came out to New Freedom on July 17, 2009. After graduating the program John went on to become New Freedom's house manager for 3 months before moving on and getting his life started. John is currently attending medical school in Shreveport, LA and has been sober since April 4, 2009.
"New Freedom is a brotherhood. It gave me everything I ever wanted... FREEDOM!"
Rocky S.
Rocky is a New Freedom alumni who went on to manage another recovery house here in Prescott before moving back to Washington to continue his lost motocross career. Rocky is from Granite Falls, WA and has been using alcohol and heroin for most of his life. Despite five previous failed attempts at treatment in the past, he graduated from New Freedom in February of 2010. Rocky stated that before New Freedom he lost his family, home, cars, sanity, and willingness to live.
"New Freedom gives me a reason to live. It has provided me with the opportunity to work for a program that I was once kicked out of as a client. I have been able to travel to fun and exciting places such as San Diego for ACYPAA and Mexico. I have been given new found freedom, a meaning to life beyond materialistic things and I no longer measure my success by material wealth. First and foremost... God and constant fun!"
Ken M.
Ken is a New Freedom alumni from Racine, WI. Ken spent seven years of his life addicted to drugs and alcohol. As a result of a near fatal overdose in July of 2009 Ken was introduced to New Freedom where he completed the program and has gone on to live a happy and fulfilling life.
"My name is Ken Meyer III, I am from Racine WI. For seven agonizing years my life consisted of the same daily routine; wake up and figure out how to rob, steal and con my way into getting heroin. It was a miserable existence. Heroin took everything from me; the respect of friends and family, my self-worth, and the future looked grim. I tried different methods of getting sober but it was to no avail until an almost fatal overdose in July of 2009 brought me to the doors of New Freedom. While in my six month stay I learned the value of life and how to live free from drugs and alcohol. I was shown how to be honest, open minded, and willing. I have been out of New Freedom for almost two years and the friendships I made while in New Freedom are still the most genuine relationships I have today. I have since been married to a beautiful wife and have a baby on the way. My relationship with my family is stronger than ever. I truly believe New Freedom gave me my life back."
Ian L.
Ian is a New Freedom Alumni who spent a good part of his life on the beaches of Hawaii. Ian graduated the program and due to his past experiences had to go to prison. He made it through his prison stay with the support of New Freedom staff and clients. Since his release he has continued to show up daily at our meetings as well as sponsor and work with many of our clients.
"I came to New Freedom August 1, 2010. When I got to New Freedom I was lost, hopeless, confused and thought that life wasn’t worth living. I had been drinking and using drugs since 13 years old. I felt throughout my whole life I was different from everyone else. But going through New Freedom and using the tools they have given me I know now that I’m not different and I have a life worth living. They have helped me through some of the hardest times in my life. From my past wreckage I had to go to prison after I completed New Freedom. If I didn’t use and take in what New Freedom taught me, such as how to deal with life sober today and how to believe in a Power greater than myself, I don’t believe I would have come out of prison sober. I know today I have a purpose in life and I can take on anything that comes my way and I don’t ever have to use alcohol or drugs ever again to deal with life. New Freedom has given me a NEW life!!!"
John T.
John is a friend of New Freedom and a frequent participant in our daily house meetings. John is from Carmel, CA and has been sober since November 26, 2009.
"I am twenty-five years old. I began using drugs intravenously when I was eighteen. During a four year period of heavy use, I dropped out of school, and stole thousands of dollars from my family. I was arrested by the police repeatedly, and my frequent run-ins with the law resulted in some jail-time. I have been sober now for two years. My recovery came through working the 12 Steps and through the help of people in the 12 Step Program. Neither treatment, rehab nor "sober living" are part of my experience. That being said, New Freedom has become an integral part of my current program of recovery. I am persistently in awe of the amazing steps I see the men at New Freedom taking toward their recovery on a daily basis. I attend New Freedom circles two or three times per week, where I am granted the opportunity to share my experience with the newcomer. My belief is that New Freedom's success hinges on the fact that the program is completely 12-Step-based. The 12 Steps have been the most effective method of recovery and spiritual growth for me and countless thousands of others, so I like that New Freedom has not, as they say, tried to "reinvent the wheel" in this area. Principles that are paramount in my personal recovery like service, honesty, accountability and responsibility are all built into the New Freedom program, and I see the men there constantly striving to apply such principles in their own lives. Truth be told, I wish that I had had the opportunities, support and the positive pressure to excel in recovery that the guys at New Freedom have when I was first getting sober."
Ben V.
Ben is a New Freedom alumni who spent 3 years in Prescott before moving on to New York. Ben is from Madison, WI and had been using alcohol and drugs for 11 years. Ben's addiction to heroin brought him to New Freedom on April 1, 2007. Ben has been sober since March 11, 2007.
"I came to New Freedom with no concept of hope. All I knew was that Heroin was devouring my soul and I could not imagine life sober. During my six month stay at New Freedom I learned, through persistence and hard work, what it meant to live a sober life. I gained strength, fellowship and hope. For me, sobriety used to mean pain and misery but today it means joy and freedom."
Taylor R.
Taylor is a New Freedom alumni from Tallahassee, FL. Taylor attended a wilderness program before coming out to New Freedom. Taylor continues to show up for New Freedom clients and has gone on to work for another treatment facility in the Prescott area.
"I arrived at New Freedom feeling desperate and lost. I no longer feel that way. New Freedom gave me the foundation for living an amazing life; a life beyond my wildest dreams. Now I am able to go anywhere and do anything knowing that whatever happens I have a solution."
Jeremy O.
Jeremy is a New Freedom alumni from Milwaukee, WI. Jeremy is a frequent visitor at New Freedom's house meetings and is always available to clients who are in need of advice. Jeremy spent 11 years in agony from his heavy drinking before coming to New Freedom in April of 2010.
"Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, I had my first drink at age 16; six months later I'm in the hospital for alcohol poisoning with a .35 BAC at 3 in the afternoon. This is how I drank every day, and in the next 11 years it only progressed. In and out of hospitals, jails, and treatment centers I simply couldn't stop; or stay stopped. In April of 2010 I turned my will and my life over to the care of New Freedom for six months. Before coming to New Freedom life seemed empty, impossible; not an option for an alcoholic like me. I wasn't cut out for living. I thought I was the only one who felt this way and that there was something uniquely wrong with me; I was defected. Through the fellowship I found, in and around New Freedom, I came to believe for the first time that I wasn't alone and that there was a solution. New Freedom taught me how to trust, how to care for and how to help others. I got a sponsor, worked the steps honestly and thoroughly and put my trust in a power greater than myself. Having graduated New Freedom in October of 2010 I still live here in Prescott. Today I am not alone; I am surrounded by a wonderful family of friends, all trusting, caring for and helping each other. My life is full today."
Ryan P.
Ryan is a New Freedom alumni from Oklahoma and friend to many of our clients as well as our staff. Ryan attended a wilderness program before he arrived to New Freedom. Ryan completed the program and has gone on to start his life here in Prescott.
"I am a 26 year old from Oklahoma. I drank and used whatever drug I could get my hands on. I did not want to ruin my life but I could not stop using. I lived at New Freedom from March to September 2011. New freedom showed me how to stop using and taught me how to overcome the unique difficulties facing a young man recovering from addiction."
Aaron B.
Aaron is a New Freedom alumni from Grafton, WI. Aaron is a regular participant in our daily house meetings and after attending New Freedom has gone on to work at another facility located here in Prescott.
"When I finally got to New Freedom after many years of drug and alcohol abuse I felt like I had a home. I found people who were just like me and I found a brotherhood and fellowship that I had been dreaming of my whole life. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do but it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done! I have been sober for some time and am now working in the recovery field myself! New Freedom gave me everything and as an alumni, I want to give it back as much as possible. After being around the treatment field for a while I've seen that the success rate of a New Freedom alumni is absolutely stunning! I will keep coming back!"
Greg B.
Greg is a New Freedom alumni from Richfield, WI. Greg attended a wilderness program that referred him to New Freedom in January of 2011. Upon graduation, another treatment facility here in town offered Greg a position and he has been working with them ever since.
"I arrived at New Freedom in January of 2011. I was drinking and using drugs for 13 years prior to my arrival. The pure recovery approach that New Freedom provided opened my eyes to a life beyond my wildest dreams. As a result of attending New Freedom I am currently working for another treatment facility in Prescott, Going Hard!"
Ryan D.
Ryan is a New Freedom alumni from Milwaukee, WI. Ryan attended Nova Counseling Services from March 3, 2009 to April 5, 2009. Ryan is a previous New Freedom house manager and now lives in the Prescott area. Ryan has been sober since May 10, 2009.
"I came to New Freedom and had no idea what my life had in store for me. I was taught how to be a friend, a son, a brother, and now a husband. I am forever grateful for what New Freedom has taught me and allowed me to share with other people. Today I have a child on the way that I know will never see me drink or do drugs as long as I do everything New Freedom and the alumni have taught me."
Patrick R.
Patrick is a New Freedom alumni and previous New Freedom house manager. Patrick is originally from Madison, WI and was addicted to opiates and alcohol for over 9 years. Patrick lost his family, many jobs, friendships, relationships and the desire to live. Patrick went to Nova Counseling Services in late 2007 and came here to New Freedom on January 7, 2008. Patrick went on to graduate New Freedom and became the house manager before moving on in his life.
"New Freedom allowed me the ability to learn honesty, trust and responsibility. I learned to rely on a power greater than myself and trust others. Trust the power of recovery and God!"
Nate H.
Nate is a New Freedom alumni and frequent visitor at our daily house meetings. Nate is originally from Madison, WI and was addicted to alcohol for 15 years. Nate has been through three outpatient treatments, numerous detox programs and after two visits to the ICU he finally hit bottom. Nate entered Nova Counseling Services on August 10, 2008 and graduated 28 days later. Nate attended New Freedom from September 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009. Nate has been sober since September 15, 2008.
"New Freedom gave me my life back. New Freedom taught me that there is an amazing life free from alcohol and drugs. Alcohol used to do everything for me, New Freedom has now taken alcohols place. It gave me a new freedom and a new happiness."
