After primary treatment, it
was recommended to me that I live at Next
Step Recovery. I only intended to live there for 90
days, but ended up staying for much longer. Not only
did I find it safe and comfortable, but Susan and the
staff helped me build a strong foundation for my recovery.
I graduated from Next Step
Recovery more than a year ago, and I still include
the team at Next Step in my recovery network and extended
family here in Asheville.
—B.C.
The whole year I lived here,
everyone I knew would have their up days and their
down days. These guys are amazing at taking those down
days and turning them into up days. I was shown a lot
of respect from day one. They were here for me."
—N.H.
I had heard of three-quarter
houses, halfway houses and transitional living. It
just seemed like somewhere to live so you wouldn't
be homeless; but this is definitely a place where
you can come in and they work their butts off to
help us. As soon as you get here, they don't waste
any time.
—K.S.
After coming out of detox at
age 18, and heading straight into the "real world"
as I called it, it did not turn out very well. I was
thrust back into the same situation, the same place,
the same mind set as when I went in, except there were
no drugs in my system—but that quickly changed.
I like Next Step Recovery because
it is slowly getting me into the groove of things.
Having a way to step back into normal everyday life
is essential.
—A.S.
Next Step Recovery has provided
many things that my initial treatment facility neglected.
Particularly, fellowship with brothers in recovery, continuing education regarding my disease
and, more importantly, a home where I can feel secure, loved,
and cared for.
—Adam
This house is filled with love and compassion. Without
this house, I don't know where I would be, so I am very grateful
for Next Step Recovery in giving me a chance to get my life back
after the damage drugs have done in my life.
—Ira
Next Step Recovery has been a great blessing to me.
It is something I have been praying about for a long time; a peaceful
place, a loving and caring place, a place where someone can get a great
start back into the world. This is a heavenly living place to
be.
—Toney
I love Next Step Recovery. It has given me the opportunity
to get my life back together. If this place were not here, I
don't know where I would be. This is the nicest halfway house in Asheville.
I really feel like I have taken a step forward by coming here.
—Joe
There are very few places in Western North Carolina
for guys with the disease of alcoholism and addiction to get help
and have a safe place to stay. Next Step Recovery has given me a second
chance at life. It is a wonderful and truly blessed place to
be. The love and fellowship are very special.
—Darrell
Next Step Recovery offers me another chance at life.
The unity and love we have here is priceless. Next Step Recovery
saved my life. It has turned my life around completely, and I am so thankful
for it.
—Kevin
In 2002, my life came crashing
down, and I could not control it. It became unmanageable.
I have been through several treatment programs, and
none of them has been as good as Next Step Recovery.
I feel that my life is coming back together. I have
a child on the way, and I feel that this house will
give me the tools I need to live
life clean and sober and to become the father my child
needs.
Next Step Recovery is a big
asset to the community of Asheville, and I am
so happy to be a part of it. Susan is more than happy
to help us in any
way she can. She is truly a wonderful woman. I would
greatly
recommend Next Step Recovery to anyone who is serious
about
recovery.
—Matthew
Next Step Recovery has helped me when
nobody else seemed to care. Susan is a very special
person who I am very grateful to and respect a lot.
I don’t know where I would be today without her and
the guys at Next Step Recovery.
—Shannon
Next Step Recovery has got to be the best move I have
ever made. It used to be very difficult for me to remain
sober for any length of time, but with the available
counseling, the structure, and camaraderie, Next Step
Recovery provides an excellent step to transition back
into life without alcohol.
—John
My miracle happened during the course of my stay at
Next Step Recovery. When I first came here in March
of 2007, I felt welcomed with open arms, like I was
at home. Now it is five months later, and I still feel
like I am at home. The camaraderie of the smoking patio,
the cleanliness and ambiance of the houses and the
kitchen, the immediate availability of a manager, mentor,
or fellow addict to talk to through bad times is what
makes Next Step Recovery special.
Asheville North Carolina is known as a recovery town,
and Next Step Recovery is known as one of the best
recovery houses in town. If you are serious about recovery,
this place gives you everything you need including
on-site counseling and relapse prevention.
—Park
When the recovery process becomes a necessity of one’s
life, Next Step Recovery is there for you 100%. Learning
how to live life without any mind-altering substances
is the next step. Our director, Susan is a licensed
professional counselor who offers counseling when needed.
Lifelong recovery is difficult; living the Next Step
Recovery life keeps my future brighter. Let’s all take
the Next Step.
—Jeff
Next Step Recovery has
been a blessing in my life. I have forged relationships
with my fellow house mates that I never thought could
be possible. We share each others triumphs and losses.
We are not cell mates; we are friends. It has helped
me a lot to have a safe place to come home to, a
place where we share the same feelings at times,
or experiences, strengths and hopes—it is all here. No
man stands alone, but together we stand. We might
be a motley crew, but we are a crew.
—Horace
Next Step Recovery has been a great foundation for
me in the beginning of my journey in recovery. The
fellowship and leadership of the home has really given
me the vital tools to be successful in my program.
The road of recovery is not easy but, with the safety
of this program, we can and do recover. I would recommend
to anyone who is looking for an experience that will
last for a lifetime to come join the family at Next
Step Recovery.
—Dane
Before coming to Next Step Recovery my future was
anything but certain. After coming to the house, I
learned to function in an all-male community and become
reunited with some life skills that I had long forgotten.
Being given this beautiful home and a safe place helped
me to rebuild my self-esteem and confidence that I
thought I could never recapture. Upon graduation, I
feel I have a greater chance of recovery than I have
had in recent years. My prayers and loyalty will always
be to Next Step Recovery.
—Michael
Next Step Recovery is a very big part of my life.
To write this small paragraph is difficult because
I could really write pages and pages easily on what
this place means to me. This place has helped me to
get my feet back on the ground. The meetings that Susan
holds in the house have shown me how to lead a productive
life without using drugs. Next Step Recovery is a fellowship
of brothers who are helping each other out on this
long road of recovery. This place really is one of
kind. Next Step Recovery cares about each one of its
residents. I am a better person all around for being
a part of Next Step Recovery.
—Jason
At 31, I lost everything I had because of depression
and alcohol. I mean everything—the wife, the nice house,
the great car, the good job, and even the dog. I checked
myself into a therapeutic community in Western North
Carolina that was essentially a work camp. I could
not find the recovery that I needed there. After three
and a half months in the work camp, I started to look
for places I thought would be good for recovery.
I looked at various halfway houses in Asheville. I
was very impressed with the staff at Next Step Recovery
Inc., so I decided to reside there. Not only was a
licensed counselor available on site, but also a group
of men that were serious about kicking the addictions
that they suffered from. The rules and other criteria
that one has to abide by certainly helped me stay the
course. For once in my life I was held accountable!
I stayed at NSR for around 8 months. I was able to
attain more than 11 months of sobriety before I hit
a bump in the road.
I now have almost 90 days of sobriety. During my stay
at NSR, I was the office manager. I found a passion
for helping others that suffer from substance abuse
and mental health issues, and that is my current occupation.
I plan on attending Western Carolina University in
the fall of 2008 for a degree in counseling.
If you get a chance, stop by the two well-maintained
houses in the Montford area of Asheville. You will
find that if you are serious about recovery, the staff
and men at NSR are even more serious.
—S.M.S.
