Testimonial from Mary M.

My Christmas at the Orchard. If you want what we have, Christmas at the Orchard was a necessary choice for me. Christmas?? The time of year most of us love or hate. For some of us, it is family, presents, caroling, celebrating, turkey dinner, treats and being around loved ones. For others, it is sadness, no companionship, isolation, fear, hardship, and no warm lovely place to sit by a glowing fire & maybe not even enough to eat. Most of us fall into one of these categories or somewhere in between. Mine had always been chaos because of alcohol.

My decision to come to the Orchard, meant that I would not be home for Christmas. How could I do this? Be away from everything I loved – including the booze. It would be the very first time in my life – I would be away for Christmas. This was my last chance. I had to accept not being home for Christmas, if I was going to get better. I would have nothing left in my life if I didn’t deal with my disease. It was life or death for me. For once – I surrendered & accepted this. I accepted that it was the only gift I could give myself, my husband, my grown children and my grandchildren. There was no other gift that would mean anything.

This Christmas was to be like no other I had experienced before. There were caring people, helping me to deal with my living problems and my fears. Everyone – Counsellors, Step Coaches, Admin staff, Medical staff, the wonderful Chefs, Kitchen staff, Maintenance staff were all very much in the Christmas spirit. They all put our Recovery first. They made my Christmas stay in treatment as if I were part of a family. I was part of a family – the Orchard Family. I finally felt a sense of belonging. There was fellowship, AA and hard work to be done on myself.

Despite the situation, there was breath taking scenery. A ton of snow fell that year, crisp cool fresh air, bright lit skies. The trees weighed down by mounds of snow, the surroundings were that of a fairyland. We even made a snowman. Christmas light sparkled in the snow at the Orchard and in Snug Cove. Inside there were decorations and a Christmas tree. We had roaring fires in the fireplace in the evenings when we shared. Always, there were Christmas cookies, treats and healthy food to eat. We sang carols and had an afternoon of fun with the staff, clients and alumni. Yet it was serene and peaceful. Christmas Morning there were gifts under the tree from the Orchard for everyone. Christmas Dinner was spectacular. The Chefs and staff worked so hard to provide us with turkey and all the trimmings. It was fantastic. Christmas came to the Orchard, the same way it does all over the world – no matter where we live. Together all the clients and staff came together in fellowship and understanding. In peace and good will.

I had a wonderful sober Christmas for the first time in many years and I was grateful. It was a gift, a miracle and magical. If it wasn’t for the Christmas I spent at the Orchard – I doubt I would be sober today. I was where I was supposed to be that Christmas.

Celia G.

I did a 42 day stay here and I'm glad I did. The seminars on addiction and other topics were really helpful. The small group therapy sessions were great, I felt like I was able to share and get a lot out of them overall. The staff feels very welcoming and I felt like I could always talk to any of them. The food was really tasty, hot breakfast, lunch and dinner (continental breakfast on weekends). Not everything was perfect, but they gave me the skills to work through my emotions and problems without bringing me down. This place made me understand myself and truly changed my life, I didn't want to leave. But it was time to put into practice what I've learned. Place is also beautiful, lots of deer doing deer things!

September 23, 2025

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Carley M.

My experience here wasn’t easy. I was weaning off of benzos and I have a horrible anxiety disorder - but they were so patient with me, the doctors, nurses, social workers and support staff were all amazing. The food was sooo delicious, I gained like 15lbs from it haha. My first few nights I was so anxious I literally blacked out but they took care of me. They made me tea, let me sleep on the couch in the common room because I was afraid to be alone and reminded me it will be worth it in the long run. Dr O, their psychiatrist, was incredible. Whenever I needed help they nurses just contacted him and he adjusted my meds accordingly. I’ve been clean and sober for over 18 months and it wouldn’t have been possible without The Orchard! Also, the pool was awesome!!

September 20, 2024

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Lynda

It is always on this day that I reflect not only on this past year but all previous ones before and since leaving the Orchard. Each year I think I will send out pages on pages of all the times, whether it’s been in celebration or in sorrow how grateful I am to have had lived them in sobriety. This summer we celebrated our son’s wedding. He and his bride asked if they could have their reception here at our home. As anyone would tell you hosting such an occasion can be quite daunting and in that moment I truly felt the weight of such a responsibility. They went on to explain that being here on their special day amongst family and friends was the most meaningful to them both. I felt very honored by their choice. Our son was born here and raised here. The ten years leading up to me checking into the Orchard were years I look back on as one long drinking roller coast after another. To know that even though those times must have been filled with so many negative emotions, the 13 years of not drinking had made our home a positive, beautiful place to be. I once again, send you my heartfelt thanks and profound gratitude for enabling me to turn my life around. My time at the Orchard gave me such great tools to quite literally rebuild my life.  I never would have seen, shared in or celebrated my son’s wedding day if it hadn’t been for all of you there providing such an amazing place to help people like myself. Wishing you all another 24 hours of freedom,

September 20, 2018

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Greg M.

I spent 45 days at the Orchard. It opened up my eyes and gave me the tools I needed to achieve long term sobriety. The food and the staff were all amazing and I am so grateful to the Orchard for putting me on the path to achieve long term sobriety. I have over 3 years sobriety now and a big part of that success has to do with my time spent at The Orchard. Thank you Orchard!

September 16, 2025

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Mo C.

Thank you Orchard recovery for my sobriety! I feel so privileged to have been able to go there, so grateful for the compassion, love and all professional help! I could not have it done on my own, I love being at the Orchard in middle of trees, flowers, birds, nature! I loved every programs, my introduction to Yoga, nature wwalk, small group, seminars, gym and of course the goats! Thank you all at Orchard (Being a vegetarian) the kitchen was amazing, and made meal just for me!

September 03, 2024

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Joanna W.R.

Great place to get better, be better and find your self.

September 01, 2018

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Darren T.

Good day Orchard Recovery Center, Today I awaken to another day of The Promises. I am so grateful. 17 years ago this evening, Oct 23, 2003, I entered The Orchard Recovery Center and began a journey that will forever change my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your professionalism, patience, and dedication to helping me find my way, to learn who I really am deep down inside, to provide a path for me to discover who I really wanted to be, has paid dividends unimaginable when I first arrived off that ferry from the mainland at approximately 7:40pm, 17 years ago today. Although I am not familiar with all your current staff, those people dedicated to helping people like me find our way through our addictions, I thank you all for your continued dedication and service to the suffering alcoholic/addict. You all make a difference, you all provide hope when we cannot find hope ourselves. Your empathy and understanding of what we, the alcoholic/addict are experiencing, is immeasurable and appreciated beyond what I can express in words. To Lorinda, thank you for everything you created on Bowen Island. It is a paradise that provides the peace and serenity to support the alcoholic/addict create a new life in tune with our inner souls. Your commitment pays off in results! To Sue, thank you for your shoulder, your listening skills, your dedication to all alcoholics/addicts at all the stages of recovery. You were always there, always listening, always compassionate, no matter how long your day was. To Kim, thank you for your smile, your amazing food that fed the soul, your patience with clients when they were grumpy. The role you play may sometimes seem in the background, but you are an integral part of the success and you are an amazing chef/cook! To Shelagh, thank you for your spiritual guidance, the depths of your compassion and understanding. You provided an amazing path to follow. Your seminars were always inspirational. You always recognized in each individual what was required to assist in their development and your ability to deliver what was needed at the right time. I have been clean and sober now for 10 years plus. I practice my recovery every day. My life just keeps getting better and better. My gratitude is overflowing. Thank you all who work at The Orchard. Keep up the good work. It is appreciated.

October 23, 2020

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Rachel E.

It works if you work it......and you're worth it. Thank you everyone at The Orchard for giving me a chance for a better life.

November 15, 2020

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Eric R.

It's a difficult thing to put into words the gratitude you feel when you know your life has been saved. Orchard saved my life. Period. Full stop.

November 06, 2021

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Milad H.

The Orchard Recovery Centre has helped me and my family find solutions to the problems drug and alcohol addiction had caused in our lives. The level of care provided throughout the facility is highly professional and therapeutic. The experience, hospitality, and compassion of the clinical team and staff created a safe and healing environment necessary to address the underlying issues of my addiction. The ORC gave me the knowledge and tools I needed to live a healthy and fulfilling life in recovery. Highly recommended!

May 18, 2018

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