TESTIMONIALS

Sixty days sober today. This, I know I couldn't have done without your help and this amazing place you call Axis. When I left deter in a fog, I just decided I liked this place the best of the ones I visited that day, but now, there's no question in my mind I was guided here. Axis was exactly what I needed and exactly where I was supposed to be. You hustled me into AA, and set me on my perfect path to recovery. Your own program has kept me focused and disciplined while I've needed it the most, and for this I am truly grateful. I've seen a lot in my 2 months here and have learned many, many lessons. This is like a microcosmic intensive crash course in real life, where little things are magnified so they can't be ignored, as we alcoholics are so good at doing. Defects and shortcomings are placed on the table for everyone to see, and accountability is made the only option. What a great thing! What a tremendous learning experience you've given me.

It's your knack for tough love coupled with humor and the understanding of each personality you take on, that earns you the tremendous respect that I, and everyone else here has for you. Even the guys that left in a huff wanted to be back, because this is what we alcoholics need. We can't guide ourselves and we can't grow alone at this critical point in becoming sober. Your mission is thankless and often resented, I'm sure, but to me, is perfectly executed. Who in the world would actually want to take on a house full of crazies and try to shape them in to socially responsible adults? What you do makes AA sponsorship look like a walk in the park. This is giving back to the extreme, and it's obvious to me that this is your true motivation.

I feel like I'm on a great adventure, with limitless possibilities before me. Two months ago I know my future held only misery and death wrapped in pain and shame. On my darkest day, when I begged God for help, I was released, and I was shown the love of my family, friends and a fellowship. I've been set back on my feet, on my axis, if you will, to begin again, the joyful task of living right. I've been taught surrender and tolerance and acceptance. I've been, for the first time in my life, pointed in the right direction, and now the journey really begins.

So here I go, wish me well. Ill never forget you.

All my respect and all my thanks and all my love,

- David

My name is Josh L. and I'm a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. I had been attempting to get sober for over 17 years before entering Axis. My experiences priors were structured and unstructured treatment communities, behavior modification centers. I even thought my solution might be in scientology at one time.

After entering Axis house, and staying long enough for the fog to lift, I developed a valuable personal relationship with Brad. Moreover, he allowed me to make my mistakes, maintain a sense of dignity while stressing the importance of principles such as honesty, responsibility and integrity as becoming an integral part of my life. He monitored my progression with my sponsor and the 12-steps. He encouraged me to establish my roots by getting lots of commitments that included Hospital and Institutions of Cocaine Anonymous. He had a straightforward approach that I could understand. He shared his own recovery experience with me and gave me comfort in that he knew what I was going through. Because of that, I was able to share my own experience in an honest way. This idea of honesty was foreign concept to me.

Axis house gave me the foundation to recreate my life. I never felt a sense of belonging but after living with fifteen other men it gave me that sense of community and camaraderie that had been missing from my life.

For this experience I will be forever grateful.

-Josh L.
West Los Angeles , CA

My name is Sam D. and I am a recovering drug addict and an alcoholic.  When I was thirty three years old I moved into Axis house an unemployable, broken, and desperate shell of a man.  I was so imprisoned by my drug addiction that I still had reservations about getting and staying sober; however, in an attempt to resolve the multiple legal issues resulting from my ongoing drug us, I decided to try sober living.  It took a while for me to reflect accurately on my problem, and to see the unmanageability of my life.  The staff at Axis house helped me to gain that clarity, just as they helped me to start to clean up the mess of a life I had created.

As my residency at Axis house continued, and as I began to appreciate my new found sobriety, I was challenged with the realization that my way of thinking, as well as my pleasure seeking behavior, needed to be modified.  I could no longer live life solely seeking instant gratification; my self-centered perspective truly needed an overhaul.

Axis Sober Living was the ideal environment for me to begin this process of change.  I am grateful and proud to say that after extensive group therapy and individual counseling at Axis I am truly a changed man.  Not only have I been relieved of the overwhelming cravings for drugs and alcohol, but I've also re-entered the world, proven myself trustworthy to friends and family, and become a productive member of society.  The joy and sense of fulfillment I now live with is something I never imagined in my life, and something that I am eternally thankful to Axis house for.


SAM D