At Pinelands, we are proud of the lifesaving work we do to help people finally overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol. We celebrated 10 years of changing lives for the better and we want to highlight former patients who are also celebrating 10 years of their own sobriety.
Thriving in Recovery
“I’ll do my best to put this chapter into words. I’ve told my recovery story a thousand times, but I’ve never truly captured the depth of the experience. In the days leading up to treatment, I was seriously considering ending my life. I felt like I had nowhere to turn and no one to turn to; instinctively, I felt I was approaching the end. At that time, I hadn’t seen my son in nearly a year. I was living on the streets in the dead of winter, during the holidays, with multiple warrants out for my arrest. I hadn’t eaten in weeks, I was gravely ill and I had no money, no health insurance, no phone, no belongings, no resources — nothing.
“I decided to give life one last try, praying for some miracle to pull me out of that desperate situation. Whatever you believe in, some force led me to the lobby of Pinelands (formerly Ambrosia) on December 31, 2014. With the help of my Aunt Ree, who made some calls when I showed up at her door nearly frozen, I was accepted into treatment on a 30-day scholarship. During that time, I was treated like a human being for the first time in as long as I could remember. I was loved, validated, appreciated, respected, challenged and, for the first time, I felt safety, friendship and support. They were patient with me, giving me just enough hope to build the momentum I needed to start over from rock bottom.
“I remember thinking each day, ‘This can’t be real,’ and marveling at how close I had come to missing this chance. What this experience has done for my family is immeasurable. At the time, my son was three-years old and barely knew me. Now, as he turns 13 next month, we’ve grown into best friends. All I needed was a little spark to realize that I could persevere through anything.
“I have many memories from that time, but it’s the subtle moments that stand out as the fondest. During family Sunday visits, when I didn’t have anyone show up, my fellow peer Mike U. invited me to spend time with his family so I wouldn’t be alone. Another peer told me I was a great dad — a simple comment, but one I’d never heard before. On my last day, my therapist Jen and I shared a few tears. Unfortunately, after discharge, I had to turn myself in to the authorities and serve jail time. I could tell it hurt her, knowing we were both powerless over the difficult path I still had ahead.
“In those first days, I spent hours curled up on the bathroom floor, hardly speaking for the first week. Yet, the number of staff and peers who checked on me, reminding me that they were rooting for me and that I wasn’t alone — that kindness is something I’ll cherish forever.
“My time as a patient inspired me to channel the healing I experienced and bring that gift to as many people as possible. I’ve maintained a continuous connection with Pinelands, allowing me to give back in ways I never imagined. After my time in jail, I spent two years in sober living, worked closely with a sponsor, attended meetings nearly every day for the first few years, fulfilled commitments, worked through the 12 steps and began living them, sponsored others and spoke at Pinelands alumni events whenever I could. Over time, I got my license back, regained custody of my son, bought a car, and was hired as an overnight tech at Pinelands.
“I completed recovery coach training, finished an internship, became a drug and alcohol counselor, went back to college and earned a degree in social work, served as a primary clinician and was eventually promoted to clinical supervisor at Pinelands’ adult program. Alongside my career, I got married, bought my first home and welcomed two more incredible sons, becoming a father of three. I built lifelong friendships — many who feel like family. I stood clean and sober at the podium to deliver my father’s eulogy, completed my probation flawlessly and fixed my driving record. Now, I’m nearly finished with my second internship at Pinelands and have applied to grad school.
“Throughout this journey, I’ve had the chance to help and give hope to many loved ones still struggling, and in December 2024, I celebrated 10 years of continuous sobriety. I continue to bring the same passion and dedication to supporting the staff and patients in our Pinelands family.
“All these gifts and blessings were made possible by incredible staff who came into my life and believed in me. Lance, Casey, Christian, Athena, Nicolle, Trisha, Dave, Kate, Jen, TJ, Nick, Chrispy, Shelley, Harbison and Urban — each of them encouraged me, were patient with my growth and helped me become the best version of myself. They made me feel like I could accomplish anything, and we are endlessly grateful.” -B.B.
New Outlook After 10 Years Sober
“My time at Pinelands (at the time, Ambrosia) was a really positive experience, considering the circumstances. The facility was beautiful, the staff was amazing and even the food was great! All the staff was great, especially Lance, Amy and Nick. We always found time to lighten the mood with jokes and banter, but real work was done in the group, individual and off-site EMDR therapy. Those therapies really helped me in the healing journey. The food was top tier, and the chef also had the best personality. Our outings to the gym were great, too! Since leaving, I was in and out of rehab again, within a few months, but my time at Pinelands did really help set the foundation and the motivation to want stay clean long term. I’ve been clean and sober for the better part of 9-plus years now. By no means has life been easy [during this time] … I had to fight in courts for years to get my daughter back and get out of an abusive household; I suffered multiple miscarriages trying to have our son, and my son was then born with special needs, and we work extra hard every day to better understand and help him; finances were a HUGE struggle; and my fiancé struggled a lot in and out of addiction while we were together in the first few years, but I stuck with him. I could go on and on; I mean, [there were] a lot of things that could have taken me all the way back out. But life is so much better sober, and the only way I can be the parent my kids deserve. And in those same 9-plus years I’ve maintained the same job, managed to regain sole custody of my beautiful daughter, welcomed another amazing child, maintained a relationship with my now fiancé (who has stayed clean for many years now, thank God), most recently bought a home and moved to Delaware, and am currently planning our wedding for the summer. All of this NEVER would have been possible without my sobriety, and the foundations built in treatment centers like Pinelands (formally Ambrosia). Thank you all so much for what you’ve done for me, my family and my future.” -A.D.
Proud, Grateful and Staying Clean
“My first experience at Ambrosia Treatment Center (now Pinelands) was nothing short of transformative. I remember walking through those doors as one of the first clients, uncertain about what to expect but with a glimmer of hope that this place might be my turning point. The facility was new, still in its early days, and I could sense the energy of something powerful being built. Little did I know then that this center would become not just a place of recovery, but a cornerstone in my journey toward healing and a better life.
“What stood out the most during my time at Pinelands was the incredible support I received from the staff and fellow clients. Then it was Chris P., Athena, Nicolle, Nick and Miss Kate. The team at Pinelands truly went above and beyond to create a space where I felt seen, heard and valued. It wasn’t just about recovery; it was about rebuilding trust, developing resilience and finding strength in myself that I hadn’t known existed. I am so deeply grateful for the compassionate people who guided me through those challenging days and showed me that recovery is not just possible — it’s worth every step.
“Now, as I look back on these 10 years since the center first opened, I feel a profound sense of pride and gratitude. January 26, 2025, will mark eight years of staying clean, a milestone that seemed so distant and unattainable in those early days. The support I received at Pinelands set the foundation for everything I’ve achieved in my recovery, and it continues to inspire me to stay committed to my well-being.
“What I remember most fondly about my time there are the little moments of comfort and connection — like the meals prepared by Chef Victor. His food was more than just nourishment; it was an act of love. Each dish he made felt like a small celebration of life, and I found solace in those moments of sitting down to a warm, satisfying meal. I also cherish the movie nights that gave us a chance to unwind and connect with each other in a way that felt both relaxing and healing. Those simple activities made a world of difference, reminding me that recovery could include joy and normalcy, even amid the tough work I was doing on myself.
“Looking back at the life I’ve built since graduating from Pinelands, I’m filled with awe at how far I’ve come. I’m now a proud mother of two beautiful little girls who bring me more joy than I could have ever imagined. My family is my heart, and I’m so grateful for the chance to be the mom I always wanted to be. I also own my own cleaning business, something that has allowed me to support my family while finding purpose and independence. I’m currently in school working toward my nursing degree, which has been a dream of mine for years. Life has come full circle in ways I never thought possible, and I’m blessed to be married to a supportive partner with whom I just bought our first home.
“I am beyond thankful for Pinelands and the people who believed in me when I wasn’t sure I could believe in myself. They gave me the tools and the hope I needed to change my life, and for that, I will always be grateful.” -C.A.
Finding Connection in Recovery
“I think the best part of Ambrosia/Pinelands when I was there was that everyone knew everybody, so there was the ability for the treatment center to find the right individuals to connect with the different personalities. It was a family feeling when I was there and at that time it was just what I needed. If I had to pick one of my fondest memories, Christian (the former CEO) went to CVS and got me a pink watch and made me wear it every day because I had the tendency to skip group if I could. I would also like to give thanks to Jen, Casey, Lance, Athena, Chris Collins, Dave, and I’m sure I’m missing multiple people for the time they spent with me while I was there.
“I’ll be celebrating 10 years clean this upcoming March. I would say that over the last 10 years my life has taken me to places that I initially thought were unobtainable because of the path of destruction I had created for myself. I think what’s best about it all is that in recovery, I have chosen to work in [the treatment environment] which never lets me forget the recovery aspect of life. Even though I don’t always get to work directly with clients anymore there is still a handful I get to make a connection with and potentially guide them to a better place.” -M.H.
Using Tools to Stay in Recovery
“I truly believe I’m only alive today to write this because of my times at Ambrosia/Pinelands. And yes, it is multiple times. From my very first day on December 26, 2014, up until my more recent stay in early 2022, my experience has been amazing each time. The first few times, not exactly being a model client, sometimes breaking the rules in very severe ways, I was always welcomed back. Each time I came back I learned more about myself and this disease that I struggle with. I have honestly spent so much time at Ambrosia/Pinelands that most people would think I’d be sick of it. But that was never the case. I was sick of what my disease kept bringing me back to on the outside, and yes, some of those behaviors would manifest in different ways while [being] a client there. But I had staff and other clients to really help me see the connection in that and to help me come up with solutions. Not just one solution either, many different options for learning how to live life on life’s terms. A staff member gave me a Refuge Recovery book which I had signed later by Noah Levine. I thought that was the coolest thing, because meditation is a huge part of my recovery now. I do personally use AA as my foundation, but Pinelands has helped me to expand my toolset which I can use to navigate through this life without going back to my old ‘solution,’ which wasn’t even working in the end anyway. I am truly and forever grateful to Pinelands for everything they have done for me and have taught me.
“Having spent so much of my time at Pinelands, it’s very hard for me to pick out an exact moment that is my fondest memory. There are just too many to name. Some of the connections I have made there I still have to this day. So, I guess it wouldn’t be one particular moment, but the whole atmosphere that is Pinelands: definitely the cookouts and BBQs we would have in the summer; playing volleyball, horse shoes and other fun activities like that. I practically grew up in Pinelands so each time I went it was like going with a new perspective, a new level of maturity. It’s because of all this time I spent there, I am able to be where I am today.
“Today I am living up in Boston. My sober date is July 10, 2023. I have a home group, ‘Fresh Start,’ on Monday nights at 7:30, I have a sponsor, and I actively try to live and practice AA principles in all my affairs. Not everything is perfect, but I am making every day count and continuously moving in the right direction to achieve my goals. I am also in the process of getting my record expunged. I am hopefully going to be moving back toward the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area next year, as well, so I can be back closer to my daughters. Today I don’t run. I have problems, but I have the tools necessary to handle what comes my way without running back to my old solution. I owe so much of that to the staff at Pinelands for all the chances you have given me, as well as all the tools I have finally been able to implement in my daily life.” -M.G.
A New Lease on Life
“On December 2, 2014, I had finally given up and went to Malvern Treatment Center and stayed there for the next month. They suggested I continue my care so on January 1, 2015, I arrived at Ambrosia (now known as Pinelands). All I knew was it was much nicer than all the VA hospitals I was used to. The place was new and had very little staff and everyone was telling me about the chaos of the first New Year’s Eve at Ambrosia. A kid who had tried to punch someone but punched the wall and instead broke his hand. I was shown my room, and it was way nicer than any place I had been. My roommate had a cast on his arm, so I quickly figured out what genius I was in a room with. All I knew was this place was nice, the staff cared and it was snowing so my ass had no reason to leave. I stayed at this facility for another three months until they told me it was probably a good idea for me to leave. During this time there were so many positive memories so picking just one is difficult. I would narrow my fondest memories to two things: The first is I will always remember what it was like to feel like a person and being treated like I mattered. The second would be learning to build friendships and that people didn’t always want something from you. These two memories have carried me through my sobriety and still serve a purpose today.
“Life has truly been beyond anything I could’ve dreamed. I finished my Master in Social Work degree and I am an LCSW. I have worked in every position in the treatment center, from tech on up to the national director of a large treatment organization. I have my own private practice that operates in five states and I employ 20 people. Today I have high options which allows me to have low fear in where I am at with my professional life. People seek me out rather than paying me to get away. I learned to have relationships in AA starting with my sponsor and it has grown to where I know how to have relationships in all areas of my life. I am married and have a son who is almost one. I own a house and now have a family because I am married and learned I don’t need to have a crazy family like the one I grew up in. I don’t have many negatives in my life of sobriety; I have learned everything is a lesson and it really doesn’t matter what happens but rather how I react to things is what really matters. At the end of the day, I am at peace with who I am and what I do, and I never have had to stop using my favorite word: Fuck.” -M.U.
Coincidences that Turned into Lasting Recovery
“Life has a funny way of working out because I wasn’t even supposed to go to Pinelands. I was on my way to a rehab in Maryland when they called my dad and told me they wouldn’t give me a bed because there was still a balance from my first time there. But as fate would have it, someone I met on a train three years earlier just so happened to do outreach for Ambrosia (now known as Pinelands) and got me a bed. I’m convinced that coincidences like these are the reason I’m still clean and still alive.
“When I think back on my time at Pinelands, a number of things stick out that I don’t think will ever leave me. When I first got there, I met Lance at the front door who was standing with my dad. He turned to me and said, ‘Well, are you ready to turn it over to God?’ Something about the way he said it and the way I heard it clicked. I was ready to surrender, fully. I was done fighting.
“My experience at Pinelands really was a lesson in open mindedness and willingness. When I first arrived, I told my counselor Dave, ‘I’m only staying two weeks then I’m leaving’ and he would say, ‘Well, why don’t you give it just a couple days and think on it.’ After a few days, my heart began to soften, I got more comfortable with the environment and the staff and Victor’s cooking and I’d say, ‘OK, I’ll stay one more week.’
“I put up a similar fight with where I’d live after rehab. One of the most memorable things Dave said in this process of letting go of control and following suggestions was when he said to me, ‘Justin, don’t you believe that your Higher Power is going to present opportunities for you no matter where you go?’ Again, something about the way he said it and the way I heard it… I’ll just never forget that moment.
After all the arguing and back and forth about how long I would stay and how I wouldn’t live in an Oxford house, I ended up staying until my insurance kicked me out and moved right into a halfway house.
“At the time I entered rehab I was 235 lbs. – not a skinny junky, quite the opposite. And I was determined to get back in shape. I remember Jermaine and Nick taking us to the local gym. I remember how good it felt to leave the property and feel like a normal human again. All the staff treated me like a normal human and not just a junkie or a client. I became friends with them.
“One time at dinner, Victor stopped me and said, ‘I can tell you’re serious about staying sober.’ I asked him how he knew and he said, ‘I can usually tell by someone’s food choices who wants to change their life.’ Again, something about the way he said it and how I heard it. I would go on to lose 65 lbs. and completely change my health.
“I remember Bobby, straight off the streets, detoxing hard when I got there. I remember thinking, if he can get through it, I can get through it.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since I walked through the doors of Pinelands, what my life was like then and what it’s like now. Since I was discharged, I’ve lost the desire to use and found a whole new way to live. I started a business doing what I love. I’ve traveled all over North America full time for the last 3-and-a-half years. I’m healthy and in shape – I live a life beyond my wildest dreams.
“But those aren’t even the best parts. The best parts are things like the relationships I’ve built in and out of recovery; it’s the ones I’ve repaired with my family and my Higher Power. It’s the ability to be a productive member of society. It’s being able to look another person in the eye. I couldn’t ever do that before. Those are the things that I never thought possible.
“I want to thank everyone at Pinelands for taking me in and giving me a second chance at life. From the facility itself to the staff, the H&I panels they would bring in, my time at Pinelands became the foundation on which I built my entire life. Thank you, Chris P., for asking me to be a part of this celebration. You all mean more to me than you will ever know and I can’t wait to return for an alumni night in January.” -J.K.
For more recovery inspiration, read other success stories from Pinelands.