Dear Passages,

One year ago today I walked through the front doors of Passages hoping, but not really believing, that this place and the people in it could give me a way out of my miserable life. I had become very cynical over the years and I knew better than to get my hopes up about anything. Every year for as long as I could remember had been considerably worse than the last. I didn't believe that happiness was possible for me. Really, my goal in coming here was to alleviate the immense guilt and shame I felt for what had become of my life and what I was doing to my parents. I thought if I could achieve this then I would consider coming here a success, but I drastically underestimated this place. You guys gave me so much more than that. I wasn't unhappy because I did drugs. I did drugs because I was extremely depressed and I needed something to get through each day. A fulfilling life didn't seem possible, but you guys put it in my head that I could not only get off drugs, but that I could also thrive in life and be happy. You guys gave me a life. All of my friends I used with are now facing jail time, in rehab or dead. I know nine people that have died in the last four months due to drug related incidents, including my 24 year old brother. Everyone of these people were under the age of 26. The stakes are high in addiction and it really is a matter of life and death. What you people do here is nothing short of heroic and I cant help but wonder how things could have been different had these nine people had the opportunity to attend Passages. I know people have a lot of things to say about us, but don't pay any attention to what attention hungry journalists or disgruntled clients periodically have to say about this place. This place really is the best place in the world to try and get better. Please believe that when clients do fail it is due to no fault of your own or this place, but rather because they were not willing to meet us half way. This place did more for me than I ever could have imagined. I truly don't regret doing drugs all those years because it simply sped up the downward spiral that eventually brought me to this place. It is so refreshing to actually be hopeful about the future and I believe that twenty years from now I will look back at my stint here as the turning point in my life. Without this place I wouldn't have been able to get a month of sobriety let alone a year. Words can't express just how grateful I am to all of you and it is an honor that I was allowed to come back and work here. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Pat


Chris:

I have wanted to write you a long, handwritten love letter for many months. Since it never seems to get written, I have decided that a short, confidential email is better than nothing. In the Christmas season of 2004 you talked me through the decision to send **** to you for the holidays. As we approach the two year anniversary, please know that we all give thanks daily for that decision and the remarkable, healing care you and your staff provided. She has flourished in every way and is poised to graduate from college next spring at the top of her class with good health and hope and joy. She has done the hard work of recovery but you were instrumental in teaching her how to do it. May God bless you and all of your staff. We are forever in your debt. M******


Dear Chris,

I have your latest book The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure. Chris, getting this book last night at the library here in Madison, WI. was a Godsend for me. This book is opening my eyes to what "dependency" is really all about. My wife was happy that I am taking a "pro-choice" responsible attitude towards curing myself for good. Chris I have been caught up in the legal jargon of substance abuse according to the treatment centers in our society. Now with the grace of God, You, and myself, now I have more than a fighting chance to be cured forever. I thank you and your son for the great work you are doing with the people the community at large.

Sincerely, TB


Dear Chris and Pax,

Just a short note to wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas and a wonderful new year. I am doing just great and living a life I never experienced before, before I went to Passages I would have given everything I owned to be where I am right now. Everything is not easy as far as work and all that is concerned, but hey, "its perfect" and the nice thing about it all is I can deal with all this stuff so much easier now because of all I learned from all you guys over in Malibu. Please give my regards to everybody there and keep up the good work, thank you all for helping me and countless others be so happy today. Next time I'm in the US I will try and stop by. Kindest Regards to you all, D.O.

Greetings from Ireland


Hello Chris and Pax,

I am a nurse/emt/cpr-1st aid instructor and am dependent on alcohol to cope. I have almost completed your book and well..your paradigm is so logical, is such common sense (which is most uncommon these days) and so bursting with hope. Thank you!!

Nurse/EMT/CPR/1st Aid Instructor


Dear Chris and Pax,

Your book has changed my way of thinking. And has given me something I have not had in years. Hope. I talked to Juniper about your rehab program and hope to come there in the near future. To think I could live without Xanax and other drugs would be a miracle. I have never responded to a book or person in my life.

Your book has me thinking I might actually live like a "normal person" or something of that nature - what a thought! Pax, your story inspired me to go to NA meetings (at least that is some support, being in a small town does not offer much). I talked at length with Juniper and she has put me in contact with a doctor somewhat close to me. The doctors here cut you off cold or give some other drug. She put me in touch with an "addictionologist" and I plan to see him soon. Well, thank you again for writing the book. It has touched me like you will never know. I am 50 years old and have used for 37 years...what misery!

Yours Truly,
Diane


Dear Passages,

I must express my gratitude for everything all of you at Passages have done for my husband, Pat. I can't say he's a different man. He's the man he used to be before he began drinking. His confidence has returned, his enthusiasm and zest for life have reemerged and he's accomplished many things in this past year of sobriety. He is learning how to embrace life with all its uncertainties, look at his past without fear and shame, and dream of his future with hope. Passages did far more than just cure my husband of an addiction , it taught him how to be unafraid of the pain of his past. Sobriety isn't always easy for him but he says it far easier than drowning his pain in alcohol. I will always be grateful for the wonderful work you did for him, for me and our children.

Margaret