VIDEOS

One of the reasons that Guiding Light Recovery stands out from other substance-abuse treatment programs is the emphasis we place on developing one’s spirituality in sobriety.

Dennys is 27 years old. He came to Guiding Light on the recommendation of his mother’s pastor in November of 2021. Despite his age, he had a long and troubled past of alcoholism, cocaine abuse, physical altercations, and jail time by the time he walked through our doors.

Donnie came to Guiding Light in September of 2021 after finding himself in a hospital bed in Three Rivers Michigan with no recollection of how he got there. At the time he was consuming a fifth or more of vodka a day, which he had taken up after the death of his wife and his mother within the span of three months. Today he has been sober for six months, has a well-paying job and his own apartment. “I’m in a good place now,” he says. “Guiding Light really did save my life, and I am not kidding you one bit.”

DJ found himself at the doors of Guiding Light in May of 2021 after deciding he didn’t want his lifelong struggle with alcoholism to put him in an early grave. When someone suggested Guiding Light he was confused, wondering what a “homeless shelter” had to do with him getting sober. But with little to no options he decided to try our Recovery program. Today, DJ has a new understanding and respect for himself, and a life that is worth staying sober for.

Ever wonder what rehab is like? Guiding Light Recovery is a professional, holistic, and “no-joke” substance abuse treatment program provided to men at no financial cost. The only price is their willingness, open-mindedness, and sincere desire to change.

Andy has spent the majority of his adult life as an alcoholic. Bouncing back and forth around the country as a golf professional couldn’t help him escape the fact that he couldn’t live a functioning and meaningful existence. After several trips to the emergency room and multiple failed attempts to get help, Andy found himself at the end of his rope. During his last hospitalization due to complications arising from his decades of chronic alcoholism, a nurse told him that he “had to go somewhere” and that he “didn’t have a choice.” Andy found himself at the doors of Guiding Light over nine months ago and is experiencing today something that has seemingly forever eluded him; a happy, healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life.

Tim has been struggling with alcoholism for decades. Despite managing to stay sober for 8 years, through which he achieved the dream of “the house and the picket fence” he found himself drinking again after the economy crashed. For years after, Tim would struggle with his addiction as he lost everything. Tim found himself at Guiding Light in April 2021. “I really get tough love here. There are people pushing you to face the issues you have. I came in here lying to myself about a lot of things. At Guiding Light, they help you see the truth. They help you change virtually everything. Nobody here is afraid to show you what that truth is.”

“The most important person in my life is still with me today – that’s my daughter, every day the bond is growing stronger. For a while there, I thought I would lose her.” David came to Guiding Light in December of 2020 “downright scared” and desperately seeking any way he could get out of having to face the demons of addiction that had plagued him for so long.

Today the men of Guiding Light attended Lection Divina, a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. The United Presbyterian Church in Hessel, Michigan has been gracious enough to allow the men to use their 200 year old chapel to find serenity and spiritual contemplation during their stay.

This Mother’s Day, Barb isn’t focused on getting flowers or candy or even a card. It’s enough that her son Mark is alive, a gift that five years ago seemed nearly out of reach. Today, Mark is sober, living in a supportive environment and employed at Guiding Light with an eye on a future he hopes includes the opportunity to continue helping men like himself – men who escaped death and got more of their share of second chances. Barb is counting her blessings as someone who realizes she could have spent this upcoming Mother’s Day whispering what-ifs to a stone in a graveyard.

Tom has been a client at Guiding Light for three months. He is married and a father of five children, all between the ages of 18-25. Tom found his way to Guiding Light after losing a job he had held on to for over 20 years and numerous failed attempts at sobriety through various short-term stays in detox facilities. He came to a point where he realized he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired” and decided he needed a long-term solution to his decades long struggle with alcoholism.

With nowhere left to go, Keith remembers going through severe alcohol withdrawals while simultaneously “freezing to death” in the Michigan winter. By the grace of God he managed to get himself a bed at a detox facility in Grand Rapids and a one-way to ticket to the Guiding Light Recovery program.

Allen has spent the last 30 years of his life living in addiction to drugs and alcohol. He came to Guiding Light in June of 2020 after a failed suicide attempt, when he looked up at the sky and said to God “alright you win, I’m going to go get some help.” This is his story.