Becoming Reliable in Recovery
“Cedar House has a special place in my heart,” Mike fondly recalled his experience in the Cedar House residential program more than ten years ago when he learned to be reliable in recovery. He said, “They gave me the ability to show up, be responsible and be consistent.”
Although he had a stable upbringing, Mike remembered summers spent at his uncle’s house witnessing the drinking, smoking and gambling lifestyle that seemed so appealing to him at the time. When his dad decided to quit drinking, Mike took up the habit around the age of twelve. Gift baskets with alcohol that his father had received over time had collected in the cabinet, and Mike took the opportunity to start bringing the bottles with him when he left for school in the morning. He would buy a coke to mix with whiskey or sprite to mix with vodka, and managed to get away with this behavior for some time. Next, he began smoking weed with friends. He said, “If you had it and you were offering it, I was trying it. I started buying more often and in greater quantities.”
When he tried crack cocaine, he was hooked. He said, “Once that got thrown into the mix, that’s when the story really shifted.” He was able to keep a job for a few years despite his addiction. He became a father and decided that he needed to “tone it down, taper it down, get it under control and be a father.” But it wasn’t that simple. He said, “I just didn’t know what I was up against.” Finally, he got to a point that he stopped showing up for work and lost his job.
Thankfully, Mike had started looking for a solution. He went to a few meetings and even tried entering a treatment center for thirty days. But once he completed treatment, he didn’t make much of an effort to maintain his recovery. Instead, he ended up “back at the dope house five months later.”
In May 2013, he entered treatment at Cedar House. He said, “My life was at zero. I was broken, lost, confused.” During his ninety days at Cedar House, Mike was re-introduced to the 12 Steps and met a group of people that became lifelong friends. They attended church together and found a solid connection during their treatment process that propelled them to change their lives.
He attended panels and listened to speakers who stressed the importance of building a support network. The people he met kept him accountable to attend meetings and work on his personal recovery. He said, “I was able to see the results of people not taking it seriously and how they would fade off. I know a couple of people who are no longer with us because of addiction.”
One experience that truly resonated with Mike was when he snuck a phone into the facility, knowing that this was against Cedar House rules. He let his roommate use the phone one night and immediately regretted it when the roommate began packing his bags as he hung up the phone. The family member he called had convinced him to leave on that phone call, which meant Mike’s rule breaking contributed to his roommate walking away from the treatment he needed. He said, “I understood clearly then that my problem wasn’t only drinking and drugs. My problem was behavior and not accepting simple directions.” His case manager had him write an essay about the experience, and Mike began to learn a crucial life lesson in following directions.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas that year, Mike relapsed on meth, which had never before been his drug of choice. He realized that while he had been blaming cocaine, the city, and everything else in his life, the reality was that he needed to change himself. A friend from Cedar House told him that they couldn’t hang out anymore if he didn’t sober up. He said, “My whole circle of friends from Cedar House was sober, and they were being productive.” At Christmas, when he visited his children with no gifts to offer them, he made a decision to commit to his recovery. On New Years Day, he went to a meeting at noon and hasn’t stopped going to meetings since then.
“At Cedar House, a lot of seeds were planted for me,” Mike said. Participating in groups and the experiences he had during treatment all contributed to his ten years of recovery, but he attributes his success to the group of people he met there.
Now, Mike is a supervisor for a distribution company in the City of Industry. In a recent review, his boss told him that he’s “the most reliable person” he knew. Mike said, “That’s because of the principles Cedar House introduced me to.”
Mike also shows up reliably for the people who count on him. He reunited with his sons and built a solid relationship with them and their mother. He also has a good relationship with his parents and sisters. He said, “They were skeptical at first because they didn’t know the extent of what was going on with me. But now we’ve found peace.”
Through his involvement with Cocaine Anonymous, Mike has been part of convention committees, served as a sponsor, participated in groups, and even ran a regular panel at Cedar House on Friday nights. Reflecting on his experience in treatment, he said, “The panels that came in and shared their experience, strength and hope gave me glimpses of hope and something to strive for. Then I build networks off of that. To be on the opposite end of that panel – that’s a privilege.”
There is nothing quite as powerful as a mother’s love. From the moment her son was born, Sereeta knew she would do everything she could to protect him. She had already experienced the heartbreak of losing her children once, and she was determined never to feel that pain again. Sereeta’s struggle with addiction began at the age of 19. She entered treatment and remained sober for six years, building a life she was proud of. But everything changed when she became a victim of domestic violence. The abuse eventually led to her losing custody of her five children -- a loss that shattered her world and led to relapse. “I could not get away from him. He would try to control me.” Desperate to escape the violence, Sereeta left and began living on the streets. She slept near a shopping center, searching for safety and resources wherever she could find them. One day, at a charity donations center, a woman noticed her and offered help. That connection led Sereeta to Cedar House, where she sought treatment for methamphetamine and marijuana addiction, and where her life began to change. “I knew I wanted a change but didn’t know how.” Years of trauma and loss had taken a toll. Sereeta struggled with anger and didn’t yet know how to process the pain she carried. What surprised her most was the compassion she encountered at Cedar House. Staff members didn’t give up on her. They believed in her, even when she struggled to believe in herself. “I saw that different people had hope in me.” Just one week after arriving at Cedar House, Sereeta was hospitalized. Over the next three weeks, she remained in close contact with staff, calling regularly for reassurance. “I didn’t want to lose my son. I didn’t want to feel that pain again.” After an eight-hour surgery and a blood transfusion, Sereeta gave birth to a healthy baby boy. But the next day, a police officer and social worker arrived at her hospital room with the devastating news that she would not be taking her baby home. Four days later, Sereeta returned to Cedar House with 34 surgical staples, deep emotional wounds, and a renewed determination. “That’s when I believe my journey started. I was fighting for that little boy. I never fought so hard for anything in my life.” The first month was difficult. Sereeta continued to wrestle with anger, grief, and the trauma of her past. “The first month was hard. It was a battle for me.” Over six months at Cedar House, Sereeta did the work. She achieved sobriety, learned healthy ways to manage her anger, and began rebuilding her faith. “I didn’t realize God had something else in store for me. I just had to trust in the process.” After completing treatment, Sereeta transitioned into other supportive housing. Slowly, she began having overnight visits with her son. On August 22, those visits became extended stays. On September 5, she was granted full custody of her baby boy. Today, Sereeta is a full-time Civic Engagement Specialist for a charitable foundation. She lives in her own apartment with her son and spends every other weekend with all of her children. “I have established leadership skills, budgeting skills, and learned how to be a productive member of society as a mother.” Looking back, Sereeta speaks of the “true, honest support” she found at Cedar House. The love and care she received from staff, and even something as simple as an Acceptance Prayer, carried her through moments when she felt overwhelmed. “If it wasn’t for Cedar House, I would still be traumatized by the domestic violence. The staff members showed me love like I’ve never been shown before.” Sereeta’s story is one of resilience, healing, and the power of believing in someone until they can believe in themselves. It is a testament to what is possible when compassion meets commitment, and when a mother is given the support she needs to fight for her future and her family.
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When someone is seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction, one of the most important questions to ask is: Is this treatment evidence-based? The answer can make a meaningful difference in recovery outcomes, safety, and long-term stability. At Cedar House Life Change Center, evidence-based treatment is the foundation of everything we do. Our programs are designed using approaches that are backed by research, clinical best practices, and decades of real-world experience serving individuals and families in the Inland Empire. What Does “Evidence-Based Treatment” Mean? Evidence-based treatment refers to therapies and clinical practices that have been scientifically studied and proven effective in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. These approaches are recommended by national health authorities and continuously evaluated to ensure they improve outcomes. Unlike untested or purely anecdotal methods, evidence-based care relies on: Clinical research Outcome data Professional standards of care Ongoing evaluation and improvement In addiction treatment, this matters because recovery is complex, personal, and deeply impacted by mental health, trauma, and social factors. Why Evidence-Based Treatment Matters in Recovery Addiction affects both the brain and behavior. Effective treatment must address more than substance use alone. Evidence-based treatment: Improves engagement and retention in care Reduces relapse risk Supports mental health and emotional regulation Helps individuals build practical coping skills Increases long-term recovery success For families and referral partners, evidence-based care also provides confidence that treatment decisions are grounded in proven methods—not trends or shortcuts. Evidence-Based Treatment at Cedar House Cedar House has served adults seeking recovery for decades, and our treatment model continues to evolve based on best practices and community need. Structured, Research-Supported Curricula Cedar House utilizes well-established, evidence-based curricula, including: The Matrix Model, a structured approach shown to be effective in treating substance use disorders Living in Balance, a nationally recognized curriculum that addresses substance use, mental health, relapse prevention, and life skills These frameworks provide consistency while allowing flexibility for individual needs. Integrated, Whole-Person Care Evidence-based treatment recognizes that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. At Cedar House, clients participate in therapeutic groups and services that address: Substance use patterns Co-occurring mental health conditions Trauma and stress Family relationships Emotional regulation and coping skills This integrated approach supports both short-term stabilization and long-term recovery. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) When clinically appropriate, Cedar House incorporates Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as part of an evidence-based recovery plan. MAT is widely recognized as an effective tool for reducing cravings, supporting stabilization, and improving treatment retention, especially when combined with counseling and behavioral therapies. Individualized Services While evidence-based models provide the framework, treatment at Cedar House is always individualized. Clinical teams work with each client to develop a plan that reflects their history, goals, strengths, and challenges. T his balance between structure and personalization is a hallmark of effective evidence-based care. Why Evidence-Based Care Matters for Families and Referral Partners Choosing a treatment program is a significant decision. Evidence-based treatment offers reassurance that: Care is aligned with clinical standards Services are ethically and professionally delivered Treatment approaches are supported by research and outcomes Recovery planning is intentional and goal-oriented For referral partners, evidence-based programs help ensure continuity of care and better outcomes for the individuals they serve. A Commitment to Quality and Accountability At Cedar House, evidence-based treatment is not a buzzword. It’s a commitment. Programs are continually reviewed, staff are trained in best practices, and services are delivered with compassion, accountability, and respect for each individual’s recovery journey. Getting Help That’s Grounded in What Works If you or a loved one is exploring treatment options, understanding whether a program uses evidence-based approaches is an important first step. At Cedar House, treatment is grounded in what works because recovery deserves care that is informed, intentional, and proven. To learn more about Cedar House programs or to access services using private health insurance, explore the website or call 909-421-7120 today.
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