Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences Inc

They are called a nonprofit and that they’re mission is help the patient with the recovery, I beg to differ and so does the 77M lawsuit won by the plaintiff. Please google and read about it.
The is based on my personal experience from 2021.
Why would you admit a patient who has mental illness and Substance abuse ??It’s called Co-occurring disorder which your facility is not able to accommodate but instead of referring them to a facility that can, Marr takes them in only to fail.
On numerous occasions I questioned this to them only to be told that my child is adult and they would not give the full answer even though we had power of attorney.
They don’t have morals or ethics, they have no shame because they continued even after what happened in 2017.
Why is this facility still in operation??
My heart and prayers go out to the parents and family of Nick..������������������������������������

They are truthfully god sent. Thanks guys for the food and clothes really helps out. God bless

As a Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences (MARR) volunteer for almost 10 years, I can attest to many changed lives. Miracles happen at MARR, and families learn about the power of addiction. They also teach clients and families about the disease of addiction. Highly recommend.

MARR helped turn my life around back in 2009-2010. Their model is not for everyone (some people (young)May need stricter supervision) but it certainly worked for me at the age of 25. They gave me enough autonomy to eventually choose sobriety. I’ve seen many different treatment center models and this one is the best. It says a lot that they have been around since 1975 so they must be doing something right. The counselors, family integration, philosophy (12-step heavy), and the culture is like none other. It’s my number one recommendation if someone has to go to treatment in Georgia. The life of an addict/alcoholic is quite tumultuous and rarely ends well. I pray for those brothers and sisters out there still struggling....I see the struggle every day and it’s painful to watch. Today I am every grateful for MARR and the other men that were around me during treatment. It was the best worst thing I’ve ever done that I never want to do again.
-AS

Yes all these are older and none available on actual website. I'm posting teice bc I truly think these ppl are monsters. My boyfriend and father to my children abandoned us these last to years bc they told him too. Weve has issues but my children tried to vommit suicide over this. He still broke rules , gambled and saw me and spoke to me. He had money so bought his way out of trouble here. Non profit. No he paid 30 grams per six months for two years, so I know the real truth. Ive heard THE horrible stories and you see only the good. Weve been homeless and lost everything , this guy abandons responsibility at a resort. Just great. Who justifies this establishment? I guess evil wrong doers who want to escape their families. And skate through still getting away with addiction and lies.

My boyfriend, my childrens step father and father moved to Marr last July, upon which we had agreed to family counseling and visitation. Well, we never got that . This caused my daughter , then 16, to cut herself and I had to have her admitted to peach ford for suicide watch. Now my son is having abandonment issues as well. Though I understand my ex is doing great . I'd like to tellearn the side of the families who get left behind . They essentially make these men quit their lives altogether , they do not promote families at all. And I'd never recommend anyone ever going here if you wish to love your children or wives because they are apparently against it. My family has suffered dearly and are continuing to . So just to let the public know how way off they are on interpersonal communication. My opinion is they suck in this aspect . I do hope in the future they throw the value of family in their program.

I attended Marr years ago. Reading these reviews make me sick. I got out of Marr and Stayed sober for 5 years. My Sister also went to Marr and has over 12 years sober. The fact that someone died at Marr, is not Marr's fault. You go into a treatment center already with the drug addiction. So the fact that he didn't want to get clean is not Marr's fault. 2 years after I was out I wanted to drink again. I called Tiffany and she went over my RPP and talked me completely out of my relapse. The women there care about you and sometimes they are harsh, but its sometimes what people need, to stay clean. I am now a certified substance abuse counselor and its all because of MARR.

I read the review for the family member who lost their loved one from drug overdose while at MARR. I can tell you that this is devastating not only to you but to MARR. I have never met a group of more dedicated, caring, and competent professionals than the people at MARR. They certainly do NOT do it for the money. Most of the people working there are in recovery and this is their passion. They celebrate recovery. I have been to Ridgeview, Talbot, Peachford and I can say, without a doubt, that MARR is the most intense and effective treatment available. Unfortunately, addiction is a lethal disease and people do die from this. They die at Ridgeview and other treatment centers as well - this is not something unique to MARR. I love these guys and they saved my life.

MARR saved my son's life!!! He has been sober since he was admitted in May of 2009. He graduated from college at 30 years old in May of 2015 summa cum laude with a 4.0.

To the person that heard MARR had an overdose death. You are correct. It was my 23 year old son. When I took him to MARR desperate and knowing he was a severe addict they made MARR sound like it was just the place. He was to sick to be living with a 33 year old physician and a 44 year old dentist in an apartment complex. He overdosed on a Friday night from lethally laced herion. Brian nor Doug bothered to call me. My son never received the letter his father noR I wrote him ( we waited the allotted time) nor did I receive his til two weeks after his death. They never even tried to find out where the drugs came from. Two days before my son's death the social worker, Millicent Parker told me my son could not have his art supplies. Instead he was able to do herion out of desperation. I hate this place and I think that they are not equipped for the serious addict. Had I sent my son to a more organized establishment I believe he would be alive today.

I would definitely checkout all the rehab facilities in the Atlanta area before committing to MARR. I have heard that MARR did have an overdose death. Some of the MARR staff gave me the impression of a really good car salesmen. Meaning they can talk the talk, and really want your money. They also do not incorporate any physically activity into their rehab program. A lot of down time, not doing anything. This alone is destructive behavior.

For the person wondering about the reviews from 2011. They are probably bogus. This is not a good place to go. There are much better treatment centers. Men have actually overdosed and died there. Stay away.

I am trying to figure out why all the reviews are only from Feb. 2011. They all seem like they were written by the same person.
Can someone on this site please explain this?
Thanks.
Cindy

I am a person that has been to three "treatment centers", and most have only cared about how much money you had to give. There was very little taught about how to live. I entered Traditions based on a recommendation of a friend. I was a bit leary, but meeting the director for the first time put me at ease. Brian was different than others I had encountered. His first question was not how far in advance I wanted to pay. Instead, he asked about me. He wanted to know what brought me to treatment again. There is alot of structure in this enviroment, and it is not meant for everyone. We have seemingly endless groups, and I was not a fan at first. However, I am learning something I never really knew before. I am learning the essentials for living a clean (sober) life. If you do not want to learn to live without drugs then this is probably not the place for you. Recovery is about the choices you make. If you chose not to be happy at Traditions; you will not be. The staff has a genuine care and concern for those that walk through their doors. It is not a fake care. It resonates in how they speak and act. I consider myself lucky to have found Traditions. I thank Brian, Sam, Travis and Emily for opening my eyes that I can recover if I am willing.

I attended MARR “Traditions” South for two weeks. I came in voluntarily. It was a dreadful experience. My wife and I both heard very good reviews about the program. It must have been MARR North because where I was at in MARR South was just a disorganized uncaring unhealthy program. My wife paid for this program, because at this time, being the addict that I am, I ran myself dry. Upon entering though, we were on very good terms. Also, MARR, “helped” me work it out with the courts that I would be staying there and did not need to check in for probation… Anyway, at MARR they base everything on there on so-called "accountability", which means having men tell on other men to get more rewards in the program. Such as visitation out or phone privileges. Which is very understandable. You would not want men using drugs or drinking and such. Instead men would look to find anything, not cleaning, not paying attention in a meeting or such to "move up"... What happened to me in this respect... Well, one counselor told me my wife could visit for a MARR speaker. The other counselors did not know. This upset one of the men here. I was called out on this! Because of counselor miscommunication? I got in trouble? Then my counselor, L. C, who had severe anger and mental issues of his own would lash out at me in group. I overheard him complaining to another counselor about his Chapter 7 and marital problems... He would then, with a heated demeanor and red-face come in and counsel me. Having the nerve - calling me names. This is a guy who is supposed to help me? To bring families together? I was not even allowed to talk to my wife the first weeks and this guy was! I spent sleepless nights worrying about my marriage and what this man was telling my wife! It was terrifying. When I look back, it was like a nightmare. The man in charge of family issues was mentally sicker than me. I may have addiction problems, but this man was very disturbed. As for the residential manager, T. C, he was just a mean guy. I affronted him once when in group he called me out for smoking in the apartment. Which was a lie. I was standing outside on the porch. Apparently he smelled it. Anyway, I said it was untrue. He asked if I was calling him a liar and well, yes, I was. That was it for me. He greeting to me everyday was, “if you don’t like it here, pack your stuff and get out!”. He know by this time I was staying only to please my wife, so he antagonizing me. He also loved to tell me how I was going to relapse. Well, it’s been five months and no relapse. I am grateful to God. As for when the time came to leave, it was a mutual break. Their way of discharging me was putting all of my stuff in a box and dropping me off at a Barnes and Noble. My wife had my Cell Phone. By the grace of God, I leaked it to one of the ¾ men that I would be there. Out of his kindness, he drove me too a sober living community. From there, I continued real recovery. My wife did not understand nor believe the horror that this place was for me. The counselors were selfish and in many ways cruel. Again, maybe MARR north is totally different. As for the men here… Some want recovery, some don’t care. Most are good guys just wanting to get by. They follow all of the rules and don’t buck. They tell the counselors what they want to hear even when it’s not true. As for my probation, when I left, L. C, wrote a scathing letter to my officer about me. Saying I needed higher care and that I was mentally ill… I was in only for a DUI. He really wanted to hurt me. I highly recommend finding another recovery center where there are caring people. Thank you for reading. This is all true – this is no “addict behavior” 

MARR changed my life. I have been sober 17 years now, married for 5 and I am a productive member of society. My recovery started at MARR. I lived there almost two years and in that time with their help my life changed forever. MARR is unlike any drug treatment program in the country. Their gender specific program is custom tailored to the individual's needs. They have the ability to put the person in the right environment for them to be able to change and grow through learning how to struggle successfully through the various issues that recovering persons face when attempting to rebuild their lives. MARR is the best non-profit organization I have ever been associated with. They change lives each and every day!! Sincerely, Michael Watson

MARR attempts to rehabilitate the addict and the family through a competent plan and extraordinary staff throughout Atlanta and the southeast.

My road to recovery began when I arrived at MARR. It did not end when I left. I am comforted to know that in my sobriety MARR remains a vital part of my recovery program. They continue to welcome me with open arms and remain eager to help me as I continue on my path as a joyous and free recovering alcoholic. I would have never known joy without recovery and MARR's role in this cannot be overstated. I recommend all who are in need to contact MARR in the hope that they will come to know the joy and peace of recovery. It is a wonderful way to live.

I served on MARR's Board for several years and am still a supporter of this fine Organization. I have personal knowledge of people MARR has SAVED (and I mean the term SVED literally. MARR needs public support to fulfill its mission and help people who can't afford to pay for the life saving services provided by MARR.

Our family had pretty well hit bottom as we watched our daughter struggle with the disease of addiction and as she reached her own bottom. As her mom, I had begged and pleaded with local professionals, law enforcement, community mental health to force a change that would affect my daughter enough that she would choose wellness. But to no avail. Finally she agreed to attend a 90-day rehab where she had about a month's success, but then the relapses started and she was in and out of detox and the disease continued to control her. It was in Michigan that her very kind psychiatrist told me that she could not return to the local rehab facility and that we should get her out of the state within 24 hours. It was that bad. And that difficult. He gave me the names and numbers of three reputable and impressive rehab facilities to call to see if she could get in one immediately. I called one in another midwestern state, which seemed ok, but I wasn't somehow drawn in--and then I called MARR. I spoke to the kindest, most incredible man in the world there who inspired me with the most hope that I had had in two or three years. He told me that our daughter could get well and he shared his own personal experiences with the disease. He seemed to really understand all my pain and fears in a way that no other person at that point had seemed to be able to relate. I was sold on MARR. I didn't care at that point how we would do it. I just told my husband there was no choice, and he agreed, it was something we had to do. Fortunately, for me, my sisters were extremely supportive too and as a family, we were able to pull off the financial arrangements, etc. We made our flight arrangements, packed our daughter up with just a few necessities and flew with her to Atlanta to drop her off. Scared? Yes. Other choices? No. That was the Thursday before Mother's Day (2008) that we dropped off our very sick daughter at MARR (women's recovery) in Lawrenceville and to this day we have never regretted it. MARR has the professionals, the programs, the approaches, and the skills to help our friends and families who struggle with alcoholism/addiction. MARR staff is commited and gifted as it perseveres, challenges, encourages, supports, and educates not only the alcoholic/addict, but also other family members. In time, through this program, everyone afflicted or inflicted with the disease begins to achieve a similar commitment and new found hope as we slowly untangle the many webs and knock down the barriers to regain our health. Because we specifically were an out-of-state family, we felt particularly lucky that there was a family counseling service offered by MARR, which helped us understand our fears and face our general sadness about just missing our daughter. Those phone calls with a MARR counselor were so meaningful as we worked our own 12-step Al-Anon program in Michigan. As part of the MARR treatment plan, staff was able to recognize and help us with our emotional pain. Eventually, perhaps sometimes slowly, the fog lifted and we were able to have realistic hope about our daughter's success in recovery and we began to live again. Now we just try to make regular trips to Atlanta to visit. Our daughter is working in the Atlanta area, plans to go to school, and she is about to have her first child. Thank you MARR. We are forever truly grateful to you as an organization and to your staff both as people and skilled professionals. It's so much easier to deal with life on life's terms when we're all thinking clearly. MARR has given us clarity, truth, and happiness. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Marr has been a life saver for my son in law and my daughter. He has been working the program for over two years. It has not been a instant fix for all the problems he has had to face. Through Marr he is learning how to stay in recovery with the help of God, the dedicated staff, his sponser, and all his good friends he has made throught this remarkable program. His support system is always there to help him whenever needed. His whole life is changing because of Marr.

My daughter has become very spiritual and learned many new life skills to handle what has come her way. Marr has taught her how to stay healthy mentally and physically in order to take care of herself and her family. Her faith has grown in leaps and bounds and is felt throughout her whole family. She continues to expound on the value of Marr in her life often. She is such a better person because of Marr.

I have been familiar with MARR for over 5 years through my husband's volunteer work. I have met many of the staff - counselors and administration - as well as volunteers and am impressed with their expertise and dedication. Watching and talking to to alumni tells me that many lives have been saved and changed for the better. Their testimonies are proof thatMARR is an excellent organization.

MARR was a significant turning point in my battle with alcoholism. I was a patient there for 4 1/2 months and it was a huge help in turning my life around. I had been struggling with recovery for years and the staff at MARR gave me the help and care I needed to have it take hold. With the foundation in recovery I got thru MARR, I have been able to move forward with my life in a happy, productive way. They are a wounderful group of people devoted to helping others recover from addiction/alcoholism in a caring/supportive enviroment.

Through MARR, I watched the rebirth of a human being, my friend and brother in law. At age 50, MARR broke through the shell of adiction he had built around himself for thirty years. MARR allowed him to become one of the most intergrated and self-actualized people I know. Since he came through his program, I have watched him lead numerous people out of the web of adiction. It has been our pleasure to donate to MARR, and I only wish that I could do more. MARR is one of the true winners in our world.

I wish I could write a review, but my review would contain negative feedback. The "terms of use" indicate that by posting content, I "grant GreatNonprofits a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such Content throughout the world in any media". The terms of use also state that I "assume all risks associated with use of your Content, including any reliance on its accuracy..."
If I have zero guarantee that my content will be posted as I submit it and know that my content may be modified by third parties throughout the world, I can't write a review, and I'm not sure how other reviews can be relied upon.

My dad once asked me how I found MARR.

I answered saying, "I didn't find MARR dad, it was a God thing."

He asked me what I meant.

I returned his question with a question.

I asked, "Do you honestly think (having witnessed my life of 50 years) that I would have picked a treatment center in a mid grade office park, across from a Holiday Inn Select, around the corner from a waffle house?"

He answered quickly with a no.

He was right.

I would have chosen some place in the desert out west. Or a big name, highly visible "rehabilitation center" with a campus worthy of the cover spread of the current issue of Architectural Digest.

Thank God I didn't get what I would have wanted. Instead I got what I needed.

MARR saved my life.

They met me "exactly" where I was... mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I was a wreck. And I didn't want to believe it. In many ways I didn't even know it.

They made it safe. Pushed but didn't rush. Let the process they know so well work for me when I was ready.

Simple. Not always easy.

There was no better treatment for a guy like me than to live in "community" with others like me. I learned more about "me" by living in "community" then any book I had read, therapist I had seen or bullshit I had told myself was true.

MARR lives recovery.

MARR offers recovery to those like me who want to live a better life.

MARR offered. I accepted.

Sometimes quickly. Sometimes slowly.

They were patient when I wasn't willing.

They were ready when I was willing.

When I was ready they showed me how to embrace my recovery, my life, my problems and my relationship with AA and my Higher Power.

Like I said, MARR saved my life. It can save your life too.

Or the life of someone you love.

This year one of my loved ones came to MARR.

Today we both have the tools to live a life that was far better than any life we have known before recovery.

That is just one of the many blessings I have recieved and witnessed as both a client and now a volunteer at MARR.

Life is short.

So is 90 days when you get a "lifetime" in return.

I didn't choose MARR. MARR chose me.

It is the best decision ... "I" never made.

With love and respect,

MARR Alumnus & Volunteer 2008

M.A.R.R. has given me my daughter back and has helped me make life long friends. The staff is awesome.

For several years, my husband and I were frightened, confused, and desperate to help my 24 year old son who had been struggling with addiction since his teenage years. Our lives were in chaos trying to deal with a lifestyle we could not understand.
A family member, who was an alumnus, told us about MARR. On my son’s twenty fourth birthday, I took him to lunch and gave him a birthday card. When he opened it and noticed there was no money, he asked where his birthday present was. I told him I was giving him a wonderful present for his birthday, but he had to accept it. My present to him was an opportunity to become sober by participating in a recovery program in Atlanta called MARR. He did not answer me immediately, but a few days later he called and said he was willing to try.
The counselors and staff at MARR helped my son not only to become sober, but they also taught him how to live. They did this by helping him to understand that treatment involved all aspects of his being…spirit, mind, and body.
My son remained at MARR for eighteen months and continued to live in Atlanta and participate in MARR’s alumni programs for three and a half years. He has since moved to Ohio, but he continues to communicate with the family of friends he made while he was at MARR.
When my friends and acquaintances comment about the positive changes they see in my son, I am quick to reply that a loving God and the counselors and staff at MARR provided the tools and opportunities for growth and change.
I am eternally grateful for the counselors and staff at MARR, and I consider the struggles of my son’s past experiences with drugs and addiction to be stepping stones to becoming a man living fully…spirit, mind, and body.

My participation with MARR has been as a donor having spoken with and socialized with several folks from the organization. It was so rewarding to observe the many ways MARR has rescued addicted persons and helped them regain their professional footing! If not for the organization several of my friends and members of their families would still be struggling with addiction. With the intervention and structured input from the trained professionals at MARR my friends and their family members have been able to reenter the work force with renewed enthusiasm and confidence. All this was done while maintaining their feeling of self worth!! A wonderful group and I'm proud to be a long time donor to the MARR family.

This Program saved the life of our friend and we are very grateful for that.
Also we have had the opportunity to meet others in the program, whose lives have been changed through this ministry. It not only got him off the addictions, but also he is a productive member of society and contributes to the well being of others and a wonderful witness.

After years of alcohol and drug abuse, my daughter entered MARR. I was hopeful but not convinced that this program would help her finally end her battle with these addictions. She successfully completed the program and would not have the life she leads today without the support and services of MARR. But unexpectedly along with the journey that my daughter made, because of MARR's dedication to serving the family also, I was able to take my own life back and have recently enrolled in college, found a wonderful church home that has been a source of great fulfillment and fellowship and have become very active again. I have never been happier and I thank MARR and their wonderful staff and support for showing both my daughter and myself how to live a wonderful clean and sober life.

I would not be alive today had it not been for MARR. I went there in 1990 and it was there I learned to use the tools of recovery that continue to keep me clean and sober today. As a result of getting and staying clean i changed returnmed to school reciving BSW and my MSW and then changing vocations. Today i am blessed to be a drug and alcohol counselor in a treatment center and am blessed to in some small way be a part of guiding someone else towards change. Today i have a relationship with God, as i understand and that provides me with the strength, power and courage to deal with reality. Thanks Marr.

As a special educator and in recovery myself for better than 15 years at this point I am very close to the recovery community. This community includes AA, NA, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, recovery businesses and residences, halfway houses and middle and high school students with drug and alcohol problems. Over my time in recovery I have come to know both personally and professionally what works. Having come to know both graduates and people within the organization in past years I find the stability and integrity of the organization and it's personnel impeccable & the quality of it's graduates of the highest caliber. We need more organizations like MARR. My hat is off to them.

My husband graduated from MARR South in the spring of 2009 after spending a little more than 90 days at the newly named Traditions, MARR's Morrow location. I am forever grateful for every bit of information, counseling, guidance and support that MARR has provided my family. Because of MARR, our children will have a chance to grow up in a home with emotionally healthy parents who don't follow the unspoken code, "don't feel, don't tell & don't trust." MARR's staff is comprised of the most genuinely compassionate, understanding and proffessional men and women who excel at what they do. They treated my husband and I with dignity and respect as they guided us towards our own recovery from addiction and codependancy. I can not thank them enough!

28 years of sobriety! Thanks to MARR!
I wore a size 0, owned a few clothes, no toothbrush, no undies, not even a comb. Thank God for the grant and scholarship program!
suzi marsh

25 years of drinking led me to a place of increasing isolation, poor choices and countless attempts to control the alcohol and manageability of my life. Driving drunk, losing control of my car, ultimately took the life of a young woman, also injuring her husband. Deep in a pit of despair, I was led to MARR where I discovered there was hope for the emotional, physical and mental bankruptcy of my soul. MARR's genuine love & expertise saved my life, introduced me to a God of grace & forgiveness and showed me the tools I need to stay sober one day at a time. I dare imagine what my life would now be like without them.

My husband attended MARR for 6 months. I had no idea how important MARR would be for me during that time and since he has come home. They helped me understand the disease and my part in my families recovery. I still use MARR as a resource on a weekly basis to continue my work in recovery. I'm happy to say my husband has been sober now for over 18 months and my two boys and I could not be happier to have him home with us each and every day. It has been nothing short or a miracle and some great guidance from the staff at Marr and those involved in the MARR family network. Thank you!

I have had 2 close friends attend MARR for addiction problems. To this day their life continues to get better and better. The MARR program has really worked for them but the new relationships they have made is remarkable. The people at MARR really care about long term recovery and family recovery. Both my friends went there for in-patient and today they still visit for meetings and to volunteer. If you know someone you love with drug addiction or alcohol problems, MARR can help!!

Sincerely,
TC

I brought my daughter to MARR for an assessment. The service we received was extremely helpful. I could not be more pleased with the information, the recommendations and the guidance we obtained from the sensitive and knowledgable staff at MARR. During my daughter's recovery I attended MARR's family workshop and again received valuable information that helped me personally cope and taught me effective ways to support my daughter's recovery process. MARR's family support program is second to none in the nation. I would highly recommend MARR to anyone, both addicts and family members of addicts, without reservation.

MARR has a proven track record of changing lives. The comments here are evidence of the merits of the program. Those who choose to walk through their doors have an incredible opportunity to reclaim a productive and meaningful life. I am always impressed with the success I experience at their annual MARR event which celebrates the hundreds of victories over addiction every day!

Upon completing a residential 28-day program, the recommendation was for my son to move into a community that would provide the on-going support he needed. After extensive research, MARR seemed like the place for him. By living in a "safe" environment, having counseling, working AA's Twelve Steps, relying on his "higher power", helping others, and more, MARR helped my son regain his life and eventually his independence.

I came to MARR in June of 2006. I had tried getting sober at numerous other facilities and on my own. I felt it was my last chance. I did not know how to live life without drugs and alcohol. I was unable to be honest with myself and others. MARR helped me in more ways that can be explained. The community atmosphere and independent living is very helpful. I stayed in MARR for 18 months and stayed close after I left. I continued attending my Spiritual Life group until I moved from Atlanta in November of 2009. I can honestly say that there is no place like MARR. It reunited me with my friends and family and a God of my understanding. For that I will always be grateful. Anytime someone comes to me about a loved one in need of help, I always suggest MARR to them.

I have never seen a more worthy non-profit in the metro Atlanta area. The lives that have been changed, the real help that is provided through the services and programs of MARR are head and shoulders above all other recovery programs I've watch come and go during the past 4 decades.

The staff, the volunteers, the sponsors and the Board of Directors all have one goal in mind. Doing good in a field where it is hard to do so.

My hat is off to them and all who support them.

-Robert Barnes

I came to MARR in February 2005 as a last resort. I had just been released from jail for the 3rd or 4th time on drug charges... this time was a felony and a slap on the wrist was not likely. I think that I agreed to go so that people would leave me alone about my drinking and drug use. I know that I had no intention of staying clean and sober. MARR required me to go to mandatory AA meetings and my first was a Monday night men's meeting. That meeting changed everything. My walls came down and I was open to the things that MARR taught me. Through the small groups that they facilitated as well as the "theraputic communities", I learned about myself and wanted to be better. The primary counselors made it safe to discuss things I thought I would never discuss and overcome pain I thought I would live with forever. I had initially agreed to a 90 day treatment program. I left after 13 months (sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly). I have now been completely drug and alcohol free for 6 years and 3 days! I now have a Bachelor's Degree, a wonderful wife of 3 years and combined total of 4 children (number 5 is due in April). The best thing is that I have found a path to freedom. I know that I never have to know the darkness and lonliness that I once knew.
Thank you God and thank you MARR!!

I have seen first-hand how powerful the work of MARR is. A relative of mine was in serious trouble until he connected with MARR. He had been in other rehab programs before but MARR was the only one that was able to help him in deep and profound ways. Now he has been clean and sober and a strong role model in the community for almost 2 decades. I applaud the work MARR is doing -- it is changing the world!

I am the mother of a patient. I came to MARR for the Family program. I learned so much about how an addict thinks. But I think the best part of the program for me was to realize that I am not alone in facing the problems having an addicted family member brings. And I learned that no matter how much I want to help; the problem belongs to my son. Detachment went against all my mothering inclinations but I learned it i the better way.
The very best part of our MARR experience is his continuing recovery and his dedication to the program;faithful in going to his meetings and unfailingly helpful to his fellow AA members.
The program i truly a life saver.

I have been a friend to many people who have been directly served by MARR. I have had the distinct pleasure to know both MARR Staff members and Board members, whose wisdom and kindness have touched my life every time I interact with each and every one of them. When I watch them in action with their clients, I sense their compasssion and understanding. As a sober Alcoholic, I can attest to this Recovery Center's programs and their integrity in working to help people attain sobriety and a happy, healthy and productive new life.

i came into marr being hopeless and with no place to go and ashamed of who i was. Marr opened my eyes to oppotunities and changes that i thought i couldnt face without drugs and alcohol. Thanks to them, i have found a higher power of my own understanding that i cherish each and every day. Marr saved my life with countless other recovering addicts and alcohlics

When I had to retire on a disability in 1993 I found I had time on my hands. Someone suggested I volunteer at MARR. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. As an alcoholic with 20 years of sobriety my volunteering experience constantly reminded me just how devastating it is. The magic of MARR is that as a volunteer you watch people get better.
MARR's strength rests on the staff. Their skill, knowledge, compassion and maintaining discipline. These are all incredible people. Unlike many other treatment centers MARR is not a "Country Club". It's sole mission is to let people free themselves from addictions. Without a compassionate discipline an addict can't get better. MARR maintains that discipline. This is a terrific place to get better. I have seen the results first hand.

Our daughter had been in one other rehab program for alcohol use and did not stay in recovery. Two doctors recommended the MARR program and out of desparation she entered MARR dragging her feet. Within a few weeks she reported that the former rehab program was "Mickey Mouse" compared to this and that she thanked us for sending her. We saw her gain self-confidence and being responsible. She decided to stay for 18 months and they had to convince her she could succeed outside the program. What a miracle we have experienced. She has been employed in a managerial position for four years, is married and a happy mother of two young children. God and MARR are awesome together.

I WAS HOPELESS WHEN I ARRIVED AT MARR. I FELT THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO LIVE FOR EVEN THOUGH MY LIFE HAD BEEN BLESSED WITH MANY GOOD THINGS. ALCOHOL HAD STOLEN EVERYTHING THAT WAS TRULY IMPORTANT. MARR'S STAFF PROVIDED ME WITH A WILLNGNESS TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GET ON THE PATH OF RECOVERY AND WITHOUT THEIR HELP I 'M CONVINCED I WOULD BE NOT BE HERE TODAY. LIVING WITH OTHER MEN IN RECOVERY WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY RECOVERY, ALONG WITH THE DISCIPLIN OF DOING WITHOUT MANY OF THE MODERN LUXURIES WE ALL HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOM TOO.

MARR saved and gave me a life. Although I was successful in terms of material and external things, I was nothing inside and hated myself. MARR introduced me to the AA 12 step program which changed everything. MARR and the staff are the best I've encountered. If I had unlimited resources and had to place a family member in a program, I would choose MARR hands down above all other programs in the United States. I learned how to live and enjoy life without using substances; something I thought was impossible. They taught me about spirituality, compassion for others, unconditional love, self love, how to minimize fear based thinking, how to have healthy relatonships with others and how to live peacefully on life's terms. I still attend the aftercare program once a week - as a volunteer. I have been associated with MARR for 12 years.

My brother was greatly helped by MARR, and today he's a walking miracle! What a great organization. They have been a huge blessing in my life.

I was blessed with the gift of desperation... and an amazing circle of family and friends that I thought were on the other side of burned bridges.
I felt hopeless, powerless. I felt enormous guilt and shame about who I was not. I was full of fear, insecurities, and self loathing. My life was unmanageable. I was, and had been for years, apparently, powerless over everything and everyone. I was shattered emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I could not put the plug in the socket and live life on life's terms....and I didn't want anyone to know that, but they did. And, then, my life changed.
Thank you, MARR, for the gift of HOPE for me, and for others, who live with the many facets of the disease of addiction. Thank you for believing in me when I could not. Thank you for challenging me on honesty, acceptance, willingness, openmindedness, and faith in something greater than myself. Thank you for encouraging me to live each day at a time; no more, no less. Thank you for providing a solid foundation and direction to this new way of life that I participate in today. Thank you, MARR, for helping me to become happy and usefully whole.
Most importantly, thank you to the MARR Women, past, present, and future, who have/will shared/share their experience, strength, and hope. You changed my life, eventhough I didn't want to let you.

MARR was a soft place to land for me. I was lost and had no hope when I walked through the doors. Every staff member was patient and caring with me. I was provided the extensive therapy that I needed and the tools to live a healthy life. Not only am I able to stay sober today, but I can make healthy decisions in every aspect of my life. The family counselors help mend broken relationships and make new healthy families. I go back on Wednesday nights to the mentoring program and watch MARR change so many others lives. MARR is not just a treatment center to me. It is my home away from home.

MARR gave me a new chance for life. I was forced to be there, but by the time I had finished my treatment I didn't want to leave! The dedication of the staff and the incredible support from alumni make MARR what it is. I have been to another treatment center but MARR gave me friends, a new family and they gave me back hope!

I came to MARR in 2009 on the brink of death. I was spiritually bankrupt, emotionally broken, mentality beat, and physically sick. I didn't think I could be helped in any way, therefore I didn't want help. I forever saw myself on drugs - pipe in hand. Around 6 months clean, I felt a change. I wasn't thinking my way through again. I was feeling the peace that I always searched for and I wanted more of it. Because of MARR, I have a new way of life. The tools laid down by the counselors, staff, and alumni have helped me grow into the person I have always wanted to be but never thought possible. MARR never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up. I have relationships with people that are real. I am present in the lives of my family. I am experiencing life in a different way, by God's grace. Today my spiritual life is what guides me and it all began at MARR. MARR saved me life. I am forever grateful to each and everyone of the counselors who continue to save my life on a regular basis and to the network that surrounds MARR.

MARR was where I began my journey to get sober. The staff and volunteers just embraced me when I was so lost and needed a safe secure enviorment. They instituted practices that I still use and value today which began just three short years ago.... They helped me discover the reasons I had failed at my own attempts to get sober. Today I have returned to a full life with the relationships I had lost repaired.


Amie C.

I was a broken and lonely man. I was an atheist. I had been drinking for 40 years. When I sobered up I faced a terrible past. My shame was great. I was deflated. I was accepted and loved, and through that was saved in every way a person can be saved. My children didn't want to see me again 15 months ago and we are a family again.

I attended MARR as a client on two different occasions. 1996 & 1998. I was the reason the "refresher" course was required. MARR provided me a safe & secure place for me to begin my recovery. The staff was always very helpful and even provocative as they tried to get me to look at issues that kept me from meaningful sobriety. I finally became willing and have been enjoy a sober and free life since 1998. I have been privileged to assist many others along the path to sobriety as a result of the foundation given to me at MARR. Thanks and God bless you MARR!

Several MARR alumni are close friends of mine. I know that they attribute their recovery and success in life to their experience in MARR program. Each year we attend the annual "Celebration of Recovery" MARR banquet. The 1000+ people at that event are a true testimony to the outstanding work that MARR does day in and day out.

I believe in the program taught at MARR. Many of the past clients are good friends of mine. I would not have this privilege if it had not been for MARR.

I've had the blessing of having known many MARR clients, and have had MARR clients in my big book studies in past years. Many MARR grads are now part of my recovery family. I've referred to MARR, and have at times sought counseling for myself from one of their counselors when I was in a relationship with an addict. I have nothing but the highest praise for the organization. It takes the broken and loves and guides them thru the healing process. It has to be one of the best places an addict or alcoholic could find himself. I know many graduates who have full and successful lives now - what greater testament is there to their effectiveness? God bless you, MARR.

As a pastor in North Georgia I had the opportunity to work with a variety of people. Many of them had problems related to recovery issues. One member in particular of our congregation spoke high of the change in her life because of MARR. After hearing her story and her before and after experiences, I had no problem referring others to the program. MARR has changed many lives and for that I am very thankful.

When I arrived at MARR I was broken and hopeless. They provided me with the tools I need to live a happy and drug-free life. I will always be grateful for what the MARR staff pushed me to accomplish. With out them I would most definitely not be where I am today, and probably not sober!

I still remember the day my addict and I arrived. It was our first treatment program and the staff was so understanding of my needs and treated my husband with respect. Not having contact for that first few weeks gave me the time to heal. On his first visit home I saw a completely different person. A guy who seemed to get that the program taught a different way of thinking acting and responding.

Both my brother-in-law and stepson have attended the MARR program. They were given a sound foundation of tools to use to help them with their life time commitment to sobriety. The staff at MARR is very caring, knowledgeable and yet firm in working with all of their clients. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone seeking help with alcohol or drug addition.

I have seen the phenomenal results in the 180 degree lifestyle changes of my nephew, a patient with MARR; and in the life of our family doctor's son. We also have a friend and one of our doctors helping my family; he
has been at MARR in many roles.

To Me One of the things that sets MARR apart from other treatment facilities is their great staff. They don't just simply move clients through the process of treatment like they are checking items off a list. They truly care about the individual and the family, which often leads them to go above and beyond to serve their clients. Your not just a number at "MARR".

MARR saved my brother-in-law's life! Excellent program. Thank you!

Thank you MARR for all that you did for my Uncle. He had struggled for many years and would continue down a destructive path on several occasions....that is until he entered MARR's rehabilitation program. It was almost immediately that our family began to see a difference; a renewed sense of self, newfound faith and remorse for all the wrong he had done. It was incredible; as he progressed further into the program, he became a mentor to others and began giving seminars to support his peers. I have never been so proud of my Uncle as I am today. He has inspired me to make a difference with my life, to walk with the Lord and to give back to the community. I love you Uncle Tharin, I have and always will believe in you.

I have participated in one way or another with MARR since 1996. I first volunteered to support their spiriutality groups in Buckhead, have referred multiple people to both the male and female programs, have done my own professional internship there during grad school and have worked there in the family program.

They are professional, personal and excellent at what they do. I fully support their work and commitment to recovery and the community.

I have been married 37 years to a wonderful man that was born with the disease of addiction.
He never lost a job, he worked for the same company for 19 years, no DUI's. Not many people knew he was an alcoholic . We went on family vacations, family dinners, holidays where the best. But the elphant was always in the room, a funny elephant. When he lost his brother in a tragic accident the drinking became worse and started to take a toll on his health. Still working, never out sick, still going to granddaughters ball games and still loving his family we witnessed our beloved, husband, daddy and pop start to fade away. During a family intervention he agree to go to MARR. That was five years ago. He learned that feelings are okay to express and that your life does not have to be filled with shame. He found a faith in God that substained him when he was dignosed with cancer in May and left this earth in July. My words are indequate to express what the staff at MARR gave my family ... a husband, daddy and pop that left this earth with no regrets and loved beyond words.

They're providing a great service that will hopefully continue for many more years to come.

I am a United Methodist minister and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor practicing in the Atlanta area. MARR is my first choice for referral for my clients and parishioners dealing with addiction. I have observed that the people I have sent to MARR and that have completed their program have excellent clinical outcomes. Whenever I have needed consultation or guidance, the staff at MARR has always taken time to assist me. For anyone serious about recovery, MARR is an excellent place to begin. I consider MARR to be Atlanta's premiere substance abuse treatment program.

As the family member of one of MARR's former residents, I am so pleased to see the remarkable change in my brother in law. This was his second chance at rehabilitation and there was a long period of time between the two.
There was a long stretch of time when none of the family knew where he could be found or reached at any given time. When he was around, he seemed to avoid everyone and spent most of his time sleeping or perhaps simply avoiding all of us. He missed so much family time and we missed him. Every member of his family attempted to help him in some way, however, it turned out to be another "him taking advantage of" situation.
Since he entered MARR about 5 years ago, he is so much more involved with all the family and is now enjoying being a great uncle to the new young people in the family. He doesn't pull the "I'll be there" statement and we never hear from him. He is enjoying being employed and earning his keep.
Needless to say, the entire family is so thankful to MARR for breaking through the barrier he had put between feelings he had during his addiction days and his new days of being an involved member of his family.

Thank you MARR for the care, dedication and education to help my husband with his recovery. MARR's treatment of the entire family was invaluable to us. Family week is great.

When my wife and I were at the end of our rope with our son and no where to turn nor any hope left, we finally found the doors of MARR and got him in to their treatment program and because of the way, and only because of the way they approached addiction and treatment, he got it. This was after many years of searching to no avail. It has now been 11 years since he became sober---has a wife and two beautiful little girls, my grand daughters, and is a model citizen giving back where ever he can to society and other suffering alcoholics and addicts. I f someone had told me 11 years and 1 month ago that he could have what he has today, I wouldn't have believed it. Thank you MARR for saving his life. We are blessed beyond words.

Bud mann

I attended a MARR banquet several years ago and have since worked with one of their silent auctions. I have associated with several who have gone through the program. It is so heartwarming to see these individuals get back their lives and to see how they have returned to promote the program. The individuals that I know have turned their lives around and are living proof that this program is a success.

I volunteered with groups at MARR for about two years. It was deeply moving to see how the participants confronted their pain and were able to move past it to new ways of dealing with internal conflict. When an addict changes his life for the good, it affects everyone he knows and changes their lives as well.

I have been involved with MARR since the 1980s. I have seen wasted lives made alive, healthly, and growing for over the past 30 years. The difference between MARR and other treatment programs has been the emphasis on the spirtual component.
I have witnessed criminals transformed by the grace of God into committed christians.

After professional counseling and two years of abstaining from drink my husband was still not experiencing any real joy in his life. He was going through the motions of life. with the feeling that so much was missing. He was depressed angry and hopeless. In 1990 my brother inlaw entered into treatment at MARR. He would share some of the things he was experiencing at MAAR with my husband. Ater seeing a visable difference in my brother inlaws life my husbnd sought treatment. MARR helped my husband recover not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. In the MARR community he found hope. The fellowship, self awareness. and real relationship with his higher power that resulted from his time in treatment has brought him true joy. Since that time 2 other brother inlaws have sought treatment in MARR. Their treatment at MARR saved their lives and restored their relationships with their wives and children.

MARR helped me get my recover back on track. After many years of sobriety, I had a relapse and found that coming back is much harder than coming in. The counselors at MARR helped me set my priorities straight and regain my life.

The dedicated and caring staff at MARR is top-notch! Yhey have been instrumental in my building a firm foundation in recovery, and continue to provide a strong connection with a health community of recovery. They have made a profound difference in my life!

Thank you MARR for assisting my Uncle get to a better place in his life. With your support, he was able to be recovered and was stronger than ever. Thank you.

I have seen the difference MARR makes in the community and in the recovering individuals and families it serves.

As a member of the recovery community, and as someone who got sober in Atlanta, I have been impressed with the level of recovery that MARR provides. The people that I know who have attended MARR have outstanding recovery, they are committed to staying sober, and are working strong programs. An outstanding facility!

I am very impressed with the difference MARR is making with addition in Metro Atlanta. The calibre of the staff and their sincere committment is most impressive and infectuous. A friend in Augusta, GA was having drug problems with his son. I contacted MARR and had several helpful conversations with Doug Branch. My frirnd made an appointment with and had many appointments with Branch and the son become a resident in the south Atlanta facility. MARR - a place to turn when addition affects your family.

I came to MARR for my second try at getting my life back in order. My first experience with a rehab program was just shy of a month, and I didn't receive any personal guidance on an individual basis on how to deal with my addiction. I was clean for about four months and a little over a year later, came to MARR. I was on the brink of loosing my job, wife,and my health was declining rapidly. I was scared and alone.

The first few days at MARR were overwhelming, it takes me a while to warm up to people. Being put into a community situation where I had to interact with others was very intimidating. The transition was much easier than I would have ever imagined. My room mates were great, helping me adjust to the schedule, and just spending time with me when I needed it. Within a week, I had developed relationships that helped me through the next months and that I continue to this day.

The next months found me loving others as well as myself. Something I didn't want to do prior to my MARR experience. I learned that I was somebody that had something to offer others, and I could learn from them as well. Something I would have never dreamed I could do.

My life is great now, I am serving as elder in our church, I have friends to call, a wife that laughs with me, and I love my job. There is no doubt in my mind that without MARR, I wouldn't be alive today. Every day I thank God for a new day, and look forward to what the day brings.

Brian S.

I came to MARR in July of 2002 at the very strong suggestion of the DEA and The KY Board of Dentistry. I stayed at MARR for 15 mos in both the 1/2 way program and the 3/4 program. I had been to 2 other treatment centers in 17 yrs of off again on again drug use...mostly on. What MARR offered me was an environment to work on issues that were far deeper than my drug use. With the help of a very competent, empathetic and caring staff I came to realize that drugs were not my problem, I was the problem! At 48 years old I had to learn how to behave as a resonsible adult member of society. I am still continuing to learn that on a daily basis almost 9 yrs later. Staying at MARR for 15 mos gave me alot of time to understand to understand that I suffered from the disease of drug addiction and that there is a cure. I haveI finally stopped beating myself up thinking I was this BAD person. I learned I was just a person that did BAD things. Because of the strong recovery network of MARR and continued support I still get from MARR, I decided to stay in Atlanta....that was 9 yrs ago. MARR gave me the tools to learn how to live one day at a time.

In January 2010, my husband and I were at the end of our rope with our son's addiction to opiates. He had overdosed twice and had already been in 2 treatment centers. He had lost so much weight that his health was in jeopardy. We couldn't trust him with anything, he lied, stole, snuck out, bought, sold and abused opiates. We realized our lives had been turned into complete choas.
At that same time, my husbands mother experienced a stroke and we were so caught up in our son's illness that we really didn't think we could handle anything else. We prayed for guidance, continueing to search for the right answer and a friend recommended MARR. We had researched many treatment centers and did not find the one we felt good about. We couldn't find one with the expected outcome....one with a high recovery rate ... until now.
We placed our son directly from a state funded treatment center into MARR. We had him in the state facility temporarily to satisfy the court system and to keep from safe from further drug abuse. Upon completion of this program (1 month), we drove him from Kentucky to Georgia, once again for his own safety....he was clean from drugs at that time... to MARR.
We left him at MARR, our just-turned-18 son who was in his Senior High School year. He had not been away from home for more than a day or two at a time and we were leaving him for who knows how long, with people we didn't know.
During the time that he was in residence there, my husband and I had time to get into our own recovery phase. This was encouraged by friends and professional staff at MARR. We attended the MARR "family weekend" and experienced priceless education in addiction and recovery. This led me to begin a weekly local Al-Anon Family group in my hometown thaat is still active today.
Our son was there for approximately 4 monthes and during that time, we saw our son return from the dark dungeons of drug addiction to the young man we knew he could be. He is currently enrolled in his freshman year in college as a full time college student and is working part time in a nice restaurant. He not only had recovery but has been given "tools"to maintain sobriety. He currently chooses this route in life.
I know that all addicts are just a drink or drug away from relapse, but with MARR and what we have learned, we are living life to it's fullest and are making progress in our continued recovery, both our son and us.
Our son did get restless, while in MARR, to be back home and be living the life that a teenager would want. I believe he should have stayed longer, but I suspect he purposely broke a rule to be asked to leave. Fortunately it wasn't a drug related incident and he hasn't resumed opiates at this point in time.
I am learning to allow him to experience life and it's consequences, no matter how good or bad that might be. I have learned to take it "One Day at a Time"!

Marr was unknown to me until my daughter shamefully admitted to me that she was a drug addict. When I was sitting on the stairway and she called as frightened as could be she said, "Mama I'm a drug addict and I need help." Those were the words that will stop your blood cold in shock... when you love a child so much that you have no idea what they need or what they are talking about or where to turn for help. The words in their vocabulary are as foreign to you as a new language. Yellow pages and www. are of no help whatsoever at the time. You can't even think much less know what or where to take them. You know something is not right, but you don't know what it is!! YOU have to find help fast with God's intervention. After weeks of wasted searching and fearing the worst will happen before you get help through the mighty hand of God a real angel appeared and led my daughter to Marr. Her name is Barbara and God loves her and so do I. Marr has saved my daughter's life. I have her back. Forget the $ and take your loved one to Marr. They know what to do to save their life. My daughter has been in sobriety for over 8 years. Thanks to Marr. God Bless all the professionals at MARR. Marr has "hands on" help. They know the vocabulary of a drug addict/ alcoholic. They have heard it all and familiar with every situation that could possibly happen. If you have a choice of ten places to go for help..Just Stop and take your loved one to Marr when they are sincere about NEEDING and WANTING Help.Your loved one will come back stronger and teach YOU many lessons in life along the way. You will never believe it until you are desperate to protect and help the one you love with tough love and Marr welcomes your loved ones. As time goes on in your life and the life of your loved one and the name MARR is brought to your attention you will just close your eyes and cry for all the blessings that have come back to you..Your loved one will be a better person for therapy and the experience Marr offers. God Bless the person who is trying to make that decision. Just give it up and go to MARR.. they are waiting to help you. You will be a better person too.

The time I spent at MARR is one of the great blessings of my life. I couldn't have known that then; but I know it today. MARR gave me a safe place to get sober. While I was there I met men who practiced the principles of recovery in their daily lives and lived happily and usefully whole lives. The staff there was great and helped me see that my own bad decisions and fears had been my greatest enemy for years. I was the problem, and therefore, there was a solution. The solution that I was offered was a spiritual experience that allowed me to build my own relationship with God. The central fact of my life today is that I have a loving relationship with God and a spiritual basis for solving the problems of daily living rather than a chemical one. Thank you MARR.

MARR Recovery center has offered, helpful, guidance and spiritual awareness to the community for over 30 plus years. The help and support that I needed several years ago, has been everlasting and built with purpose. I myself do not with to TOOT my horn, yet I Celebrate the Love, Planning and Insightful direction the organazation has offered to countless people in desprite need. The energy that the staff excerts is increbible. Not being concerned with themselves, yet the wellfare of others has sevred as a road to recovery for the lost souls as I was. The willingness to help me was far outreaching at my time of admittance. Due to the fact that I was so young compared to their clients at the time. Thank GOD there was the Staff such as Doug and Donnie and the fantastic unselfish staff that was the Dawn of MAR.

I have personal experience with the MARR program & started my recovery journey at their Doraville campus. Treatment & early sobriety are difficult regardless where one begins the process. MARR helped me develop the habits & behavior necessary to move forward with my life & get the monkey off my back. Some of the staff has changed since I was there, but many of them have remained. The staff is professional, extremely knowledgeable and experienced. I have had experience with other facilities & can speak with some authority on this matter. The facilities are not posh, but they are safe, clean and very nice. Treatment is gender specific and, in my mind, this is superior to coed programs. I recommend them without reservation to addicts & their families who want to begin the work toward a better life. I am grateful to the staff at MARR for giving me a chance to live.

We became acquited with this wonderful organization some years ago through a friend. We support it whole heartedly. They are professional, yet so family orientated, giving from the heart and soul with a sincere passion to help those in need.

MARR has become a complete blessing in my life as I get to see first hand the mircles they help happen. The culture of love and caring in helping people turn their lives around in recovery is unique. I am proud to be a board member as I get to meet people often who have benefited from treatment for addiction.

I became familiar with MARR through my daughter-in-law, a counselor on staff there. I attended their 2010 banquet and was so very impressed by the depth of their program and the impact they are having on their clients. They have a committed, passionate, highly qualified staff who take pride in seeing life transformation for their clients. They have sold out alumni and a strong support base in the Atlanta community.

I am proud to be a supporter of MARR.

Hi. I obtained my medical training from Duke University but while practicing began to drink on a regular basis. I thought it was safe because I was in my 30's and did not ever have a problem with it. I thought I had escaped my family history. Within 2-3 years I was an alcoholic and drug addict. I was fired from medicine and went through 6 years of multiple treatments, minimum wage jobs, jail and 1/2-way houses. My last treatment was MARR. My sobriety date is 3-25-05. I am now an addiction psychiatrist in Maryland and would recommend MARR to anyone. From MARR I learned that the spirituality of recovery involves relationship with self, others, and a higher power of my understanding. I went to 9 treatments and have seen many others in my profession and MARR stands out as the best.

I have provided professional services for MARR and have observed the quality and commitment of its management team, staff and volunteers. I have also witnessed firsthand the positive effects that MARR's treatment prigrams can have on individuals with addiction and substance abuse issues.

I have been acquainted with Marr for several years and have participated in fun runs, banqets and picnics. Marr is a wonderful organization and never closes the door to anyone. They are like a family and willing to help and love everyone.

MARR has long been known as an Atlanta resource for substance abuse treatment. An abundance of professional expertise means that a client has a good shot at an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. Staff has a high percentage of certified and licensed workers.

My brother spent 25 years destroying his life with drugs and alcohol. My mother prayed daily while I unknowingly extended his life of addiction by being an enabler. MARR educated me which led to intervention and sobriety for him. Several years later he was able to serve as a primary care giver for our mom who had a terminal illness. It was beautiful to watch the joy and peace she felt from this renewed relationship with her son. My message to anyone reading this is not to wait as long as we did. Talk to MARR - they have a plan for recovery for the entire family. Diane P.

MARR gave my son his first step in his long road to recovery. The counselors were very good at educating him and us and very caring.

Much to my dismay, I discovered that my son had slipped back into addiction and was once again using cocaine when he could get it. He had found a local source so the only deterent was money. Someone recommended MARR and by the grace of God he got into the program. MARR changed his life and ours. He found God for himself while attending the required Sunday services. He became alcohol and drug free. After eight years he remains active in his recovery. The prgram and people at MARR were truly a blessing to our family.

MARR helped my Mom get sober when I was 5 years old. I am now 17 years old, and I am grateful to MARR for giving me a Mom that is sober, present, wonderful.

Our son had suffered with alcohol and cocaine addition for 12+ years. He had spent 6 months in another well respected treatment facility and for a short time remained clean. It took MARR's no nonsense yet caring ways to lead our son to be truly rehabilitated. He has been free of drugs and alcohol for 8 years. We can never say enough good things about the program and people at MARR who were there for him 8 years ago and remain there for him today.

My wife got sober at MARR in 1998 and has been sober ever since. She participated in their professional program for 10 years and thank you to the people there for their wonderful work. MARR is a very special place that helps many, and I like that they focus on the spiritual aspect of recovery.

Although I got sober at a competing facility over 20 years ago, I truly believe that MARR is the finest treatment center in all of Atlanta. Because of this, my wife and I have been honored to be the recovering volunteer couple in a weekly MARR group for over 7 years. Every week we see healing from addiction and alcoholism in not only suffering individuals, but also in their families.

When I look at my personal experiences in the institutional treatment for my alcoholism 20 years ago, I immediately see that MARR not only provides their clients with all the beneficial services I received, but they have also eliminated the glaring problems and weaknesses I encountered. I have sponsored many men that attended MARR, and I know these points to be true. It is a privilege to be associated with MARR.

Thank you, MARR! You gave us our brother back, and we are eternally grateful.
Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences has been proven to be based on the right stuff—God, family and self. This combination, and time, works. No 30-day drive-through program will offer the same long-term benefits that MARR does. It is a faith-based commitment, with the added support of family and adopted MARR family that ensures success.
Our brother was "missing" for three decades. He'd gravitate back to us to hibernate for a while, then whirl out on his own orbit again. This cycle, fueled by meth and alcohol, went on and on. His denial and our ignorance kept it all going.
Finally, our brother-in-law confronted T. He'd heard about the miracles of MARR and took our brother there. We siblings went through the process as family and are closer together because of it. Now we ALL can enjoy each other, and each day with grateful hearts.
Please spread the word about MARR. It is a large, vibrant, caring family that will help you save a life, and through that life, many others.

I was treated at MARR in 1998, first in the ninety day halfway house program and later in the 3/4 house program. I struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for most of my life and I do not believe that I would have recovered without the MARR program. While I continue to participate in a twelve step recovery program, I continue to rely on the skills that I learned at MARR and which go beyond a stand-alone twelve step program. Addiction affected, and stunted, every aspect of my life. As we said when I was there - "MARR is a great place to grow up." I learned life skills, was introduced to recovery and made some of the closest friends that I have ever had. Thirteen years later, I am still grateful for MARR.

MARR was instrumental in changing the dynamics of our family. A family member attended MARR for three months. He has been clean for almost two years. Previous attempts with rehabilitation were unsuccessful. The experience at MARR really changed his life - and his family's life.

Words cannot express our gratitude!

I was given the privelage to attend MARR in late 2007. My wife and I were beaten down pretty bad and were looking for answers on how to get our lives back on track. The experience that I had at MARR opened new doorways for me and my family to experience a new way of life. As a result of learning about recovery and having been given the tools to do so, my life is so much better today. This is a direct result of all the fine counselors and staff that I encountered at MARR. I would recommend MARR to anyone that is suffering from addiction and unmanagability. I can not say enough about my experience I had there. I still am in contact with people that I attended with and met while in the recovery community there.

I cannot express enough the gratitude I have for MARR and its staff. Not only did MARR help me get my life back on track, it provided me the tools to continue to stay on track. MARR is a great organization that I believe in sole heartedly. Thanks, Pat C

My husband and I are both recovered addicts. I was able to go to 12 Step meetings, but that was not enough for my husband. He entered MARR with both of us expecting him to be home in 30 days. We had no contact for a period of time, which was very difficult since I was at home alone with our two small children. I attended my regular meetings every week and participated in MARR's Family Week. The whole process was somewhat gut-wrenching, and I did not agree with every aspect of the program and process, but I must say that 6 months later, when my husband came home, he was a different person. This is not to say that we went without problems after that, but I believe that MARR gave us both the tools we needed to fix the things that were wrong in our relationship, and ourselves. I hold MARR personally responsible for both of our recoveries, as well as saving our marriage. It has been almost 9 years since my husband was at MARR, and in May, we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary-both of us clean and sober!

MARR was the turning point for my son's alcohol addiction. He entered the program when he was 20 years old and in college. Today he is 31 years old and has been clean for 10 years. He follows the 12 Step Program which he learned while at MARR and he gives back to his community and still attends AA meeting at 3 times a week. The emotional and educational support they provided to all of us in our family will be with me always. Thank you to all the people at MARR.

Even though I am not an alumni of MARR, I have many close friends who are and they most assuredly would not be a useful member of society today without the assistance and guidance of MARR early in their journey. I have participated in MARR functions over the years and I do not know of an organization and their volunteers/alumni with more passion than those who have attended MARR.

I have unfortunately (or fortunately) had 3 sons in need of recovery services. MARR provided placement for two of them, as well as a close family friend. Long term treatment and placement is clearly superior to shorter term stays, and MARR's services are far beyond anything I have ever seen.

Too many treatment facilities are centered on making money. MARR looks primarily to recovery.

Our son had an addition problem at 42 years of age. We never dreamed he had ever had a problem. When this came to light he and his wife had checked into a recovery program closer to home. He said there was no way he could stay clean in that program. His wife then discovered MARR. It was the best thing that could have happened to our family. He is 8 months out and has had no further problem and is doing great. His 2 children were 13 and 15 and MARR really helped them understand also. My husband and I attended one of the family weekends which helped us understand how to help, and we needed lots of help to understand. I thank God everyday for the help we received from MARR. r&g Alabama.

I do not have an addiction problem, although at one time I was addicted to cigarettes, so I understand a little about the problem. I volunteered at. the request of a couple of friends and have found the staff at MARR to be more dedicated to their mission than many "for profit" companies. They are truly working for the benefit of their fellow man - and I am proud to be associated with them.

Finally, I have seen wonderous recoveries of people who have been participants in MARR's programs.

MARR saved my daughter's life. We found out about them from a professional interventionist who was not paid by MARR. His experience with MARR encouraged us to try it. I thank God for this organization. It is tough love for the addict and compassion for all the family. The information they provide about alcoholism, other drug addictions and eating disorders makes it possible to understand the huge challenge of overcoming these addictions. And it makes it easier to be the tough love giver when you know what is at stake. They don't use quick fix gimics. They walk with the addict on the recovery journey helping to overcome years of habits born of addiction, not just the addiction.

There are not enough adequate words for me to use to express my gratitude to the family of administrators ,counselors and volunteers at MARR for what they provided for my son . HE is a new person-he has totally turned his life around and found true freedom in his life and his personal relationship with God. He and his wife are now active in Bible Studies, Prison Ministris and Sunday school along with being outstanding parents for their two young sons. I give God the Glory but I KNOW in my heart that my son would not be where he is today had it not been for the outstanding care and counsel that he received at MARR. Our entire family shall always be indebted to you for the life you have given back to us. God Bless you all.

After much research in the Atlanta area, I chose MARR for my wife who needed help with her addiction. From admissions to aftercare, MARR could not have helped my wife and family more. Throughout the residency, MARR kept me informed and educated me about addiction and its effects on the family. Today, we continue to work our programs of recovery, day by day, and joy and hope have returned to our family.

"I will be forever and eternally grateful to MARR and the Staff there for saving my son's life. He is my 3rd of 7 sons, He was a gentle, kind and loving person to me, his wife, children and granddaughters, his brothers and their families...and all who he came in contact with. Cancer claimed his life in July, 2010 and has left a gaping hole in all of the lives he was such an important part of. This last January, he would have celebrated 5 years of sobriety in his new life. While he was such a wonderful man his entire life, the last 4 1/2 years was truly like having back the person we all had known and loved so much. Thank you for the caring, sharing, teaching and faith that benefited him so much during his time working with all of you towards the new life he so enjoyed. He loved the staff and so many of the other men he came into contact with...many of them who I know he touched profoundly. Please continue the amazing work that MARR does. God is certainly at work through your organization. I know that for a fact...as I have seen the results up close. His Loving Mother

Our son regained his life during his time at Marr. He is continuing in his recovery by giving back and and donating time and service to all of their programs.
With the strenght he gained and the belief in a Higher Power, he is currently able to maintain sobriety.
The help Marr offers is never just a ninety day, six months or a specific time. He is able to attend the meetings, talk to the employees and gain new insight into his ongoing struggle for his sobriety and his life.
We wish God's blessing on the program and the staff and those in need of Marr's help, and we will continue to be donors.

marr , wow .......... a lifesaver and more important , a life changer ...
they didn't just give me a rest from my addictions and consequences .
they gave me direction and motivation to change. drugs and alcohol weren't my big problem , i was.. the substances were me just medicating the pain i caused by my selfishness , confusion , fear and shame . it has been 15 years since i first walked in there and i still remember and use the tools and advice i was given there. i attend quite a few of their functions and keep my connection alive by trying to be of service to others coming thru there. i cant say enough about the way they get right to the problem and help folks deal with it. my first interview there i was told that Grace is getting what i don't deserve , and Mercy is not getting what i do deserve.. and it so set me free of all the spiritual confusion i suffered , made it real simple and applicable on a daily basis for me.

I have been acquainted with the organization for over 5 years. I have attended their annual banquets, received their newsletters and participated in several of their fund-raising functions. I am amazed at the dedication of the staff and volunteers. The alums are a true testament to the work that MARR does. They seem to have a methodology that secures better results than those 'celeb' rehab centers. I suspect their success stems from the careful focus on the individual. I look forward to each contact I have with the organization as I will be humbled and inspired.

I came into recovery in July of 2008 and had the privilege of meeting several patients at MARR through places I attended meetings. The women I met have become some of my best friends and I've watched several more women come in over the past two and a half years and I've seen numerous miracles! Most of my friends in recovery today including my fiance were either in MARR for a time or are still in MARR and they are absolutely amazing. I've seen broken families put back together and watched women go from completely closed off to smiling, happy members of society again. I put one hundred percent stock and faith into this facility and believe in their program of treatment completely. I've recommended them to several people I've known searching for a place to recover and I'll continue to do so! MARR saved my fiance's life and I'm grateful to be a part of it whenever I can be.

I had nothing when I got to M.A.R.R.. When I finally asked for help with my Drink, and Drug problem, I was fortunate enough to have a Friend of my Sisters,(Who later became my Sponsor), help me get into M.A.R.R.. I was there Ten, and One Half Months. They taught me how to live, starting with making my own bed, to taking responsibility for my actions. Figured out the problem was Me, and that I had to Change. Thanks to my Higher Power, M.A.R.R., Family, Friends, Sponsor, and the Twelve Steps I have been Sober Six, and a Half Years now, and I'm comfortable in my own skin!

I learned about this organization through a road race that they hosted. Ever since then (maybe 5 years now??) I have read their newletters and given what I can afford to help. I even saw a play that benefited their organization which I thought was a neat idea because it was a win win for everyone. On every occasion where I have run into staff or volunteers of MARR they were wonderful, knowlegable and friendly.

My husband and I have been involved with MARR for most of the last 22 years, as patients, alumni and volunteers. We have been so blessed to have this community to turn to in our darkest times and have received expert care, loving attention and made life long close friends in the process.
We both believe their model of a theraputic community which begins the treatment process with strict rules and limited freedom ,is a good one, because it brings immediate order to a life that is usually in chaos from diseased thinking and living. Then allowing the individual to gain freedom as they move through the process of growing and learning to love, trust and find joy in sober living.

Wonderful place that has helped so many. Congrats on 35 years !!

My son was a patient at MARR in 2008. He had finally hit his "wall" and wanted to get help. My husband and I were referred to MARR by an Addiction Specialist who had evaluated our son, so we took his advice and put our trust in MARR. It was the absolute BEST thing we could have ever done. I believe their program, coupled with the "community living" approach, is the right combination in giving the necessary tools to recovering addicts/alcoholics. While our son was receiving help, my husband and I attended the Parent Support Group and found their help invaluable. We also attended the three-day workshop and learned a tremendous amount about our son's disease. MARR's approach to helping the entire family is priceless. We would have been lost without them. Our son is still sober today and we give much of that credit to MARR.

I arrived at MARR in October, 1993. I'd been through a couple of 30 day programs, but never a long term one. I was spinning out of control and needed the long term support MARR gave me.
The 6 months I was at MARR truly saved my life. I learned I could actually live a clean and sober life. I learned I could be a productive person, I had ups and downs while at MARR and realized I could survive them while staying clean and sober.
Through the grace of God, and the many people God has put in my life, I've remained clean and sober from the day I entered MARR, Oct. 26, 1993 through today. One Day At A Time.

I have had the privilege of knowing MARR as a donor and as a family member of a client. The professionals at MARR go the extra mile in caring for the client and the members of the family, realizing that the disease of addiction touches everyone involved. They provided the education that I needed to help me understand what my loved one was experiencing as well as how I might be supportive without being an enabler.
As a donor, I was also pleased to see the integrity and wisdom used in handling of the organization's financial resources.

My son entered Marr and my husband and I attended the various discussion groups and the meetings with staff and patients.
The program made it very personal for us and the information shared was invaluable to help us understand how to deal with our son and family members. We learned how to accept, forgive and be strong when needed. The Marr program is exceptional and the strong Christian approach becomes a on-going part of all of our lives.

My beloved brother battled alcohol for most of his adult life. He was one of seven brothers and the sweetest and caring of us all. I had the honor and what I consider a prilvilege to join with his immediate family to intervene and let MARR take over his life in January, 2006. He would have celebrated 5 years of sobriety this past January...had not cancer claimed his life in July, 2010. His family was there however to accept the 5 year award in his memory. We all have no doubt that the wonderful work that MARR did with him, coupled with his own determination and faith in God, would have led him otherwise to a long, beautiful and sober life. I personally, along with my family, will be forever indebted to MARR for their professional and caring treatment. Loving Brother

In February of 1980, I was 8 months sober, in AA, working the steps, and had a sponsor. I was still struggling with depression and my eating disorder was out of control. It was recommended that I go to Dekalb Addiction Clinic during the day for further treatment & evaluation and live at MARR, a half way house for professional women for 24/7 supervision and support.
I was able to cash in an insurance policy my parents had for me as well as financial support from the Atlanta community. MARR had never had anyone with an eating disorder stay at the half way house before and voiced their concerns on how this would affect the other women. After several interviews they allowed me to stay based upon my sobriety and determination to get better.

With the support of other women at the halfway house as well as continuing group therapy at Dekalb Addiciton Clinic, I was able to stay sober and eventually stopped the binge purge cycle that had become a way of life for me for more than 12 years. I will always be grateful to MARR and the women that loved, accepted and supported me during this time of healing in my life. I know now that I needed to be away from my every day life in order to heal and MARR helped me to do be able to do this. I am still clean and sober today!

MARR has an outstanding reputation for its professional, highly effective program. It is committed to helping clients receive the care, support , and tools they need to succeed in recovery.

I had a nephew who came to MARR after a stay at Penfield. There I feel he learn what life was really about and being totally responsible for himself and his choices. Without Penfield and MARR I am not sure where he would be right now. I would highly recommend this recovery program to anyone who needs help with recovery and getting their life back on track. I am so thankful that there are places such as MARR to help those, who for whatever reason, have been badly effected by drugs and alcohol.

Good Day,

My name is Steve Sopko, and in 1986 - I had the very beneficial, life saving experience of staying 29 days at the Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, GA - under the direction of Dr. Douglas Talbot. I recently received my 25 year Medallion for those years of continuos sobriety in AA.

A couple of years after the beginning in my journey in a sober life, I met Debbie B. - who had just completed her several month stay at MARR, and we have been friends in recovery and sobriety ever since. Debbie's experiences of how beneficial her MARR program had been was certainly evident and of benefit to all of us in our Alpharetta, GA AA group - as she was already a "step ahead" in her recovery when she first started attending our group. Since then I have attended literally hundreds of meetings with Debbie and I've seen her grow and prosper in her 'new life' - much credit of course to her firm foundation she received in those months at the outset of her recovery from the disease of alcoholism.

I would without doubt have to credit her time at MARR for a goodly part in that 'new beginning'.

I certainly wish all of you at MARR continued success in your program and I am grateful for what you did for an exemplary, sober and mature member of society and her beneficial contribution to my/the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. No doubt you have done that for thousands more persons, and for those efforts, there are not enough good things to say.

Please "keep on keepin' on" in your program and be assured that enough cannot be said as to how much it is appreciated by all.

Your friend and Debbie's - in recovery,

Steve Sopko
Marietta, Ga.

Every sober person I know that is a graduate of MARR works a really great program. MARR gives them a very solid foundation. MARR itself is solid. It is one of the few Recovery Residences I know of that has withstood the test of time.

I left MARR in 1989...90 days after getting there. One of the things I received was the opportunity to strengthen my sobriety before going out into the world. MARR felt very real to me; very family oriented. I would not have a life without the staff and volunteers of this great organization. I am truly proud to be an alumni of MARR!

MARR, its people, its groups, its loving care - and, not the mushy coddling variety, and my personal association with them have helped me find pathways to growth in character and spiritual fitness. I have never been better and make further progress every day...

I came to MARR August , 2008. At the ae of twenty one I was drinking all day ever day and had cheated death. My brother found out about MARR and gave me an utimatum to go to MARR or he wanted nothing to do with me. I walked in to MARR angry, sad, and broken. My life was a mess. I had lost my mother a year prior to cancer and had fallen off the deep end. I was slow to trust and skeptical upo arrival. The counselors at MARR broke me down and built me back up. They earned my trust. They showed me how to feel again, and that I could cope with my feelings. They accepted me for me. I graduated to their 3/4 program and at ten months of sobriety I lost my father to cancer. They supported me through it all. Helped me to b able to have conversations with him that I didn't get with my mom. I have been sober for 2 1/2 years now and I don't know here I would be without MARR. My brother and I talk almot daily and he trusts me today. I continue to have counseling sessions there and volunteer at their mentoring program. I will never be able to give back to MARR what was so freely given to me. MARR is like home for me. The one place I can go where they know everything about me and love me anyway. I trust the staff there with my life. I now live with 3 of the girls I was in treatment with. I am back in school and work full time. Marr showed me to be responsible. Words cannot desribe how dear I hold MARR in my heart, they gave me my life, friends, and family.

I want to say that for as long as I have been in private practice (16 years) I have never heard anything but wonderful things about MARR. I have recently befriended another professional colleague whose life was saved by her treatment at Marr. She has now been sober for 28 years and is a successful clinician and wonderful human being! She showed up at MARR addicted to various drugs and had no money in her pocket. MARR gave her a scholarship. She had a strong spiritual experience there and has kept up her 12-step program ever since. Thanks for helping so many people who might otherwise not gotten the opportunity to receive such invaluable help for addiction.

My name is Beverlie J. Reese, I graduated from RSU on May 1, 2010 after being in treatment for 1 year. I spent 22 years + using crack cocaine. I came into RSU on my own after being defeated by my disease of addiction. What i liked about this program was that it was very structured. It helped me to get rid of my past in a healthy and safe environment. I have learned to like myself for who i am today. I still continue to go to my process group at RSU on Monday nights. I moved out on my own and i live by myself today. I stay connected with my network as i was taught to do, and i still am in contact with my sponsor. The classroom time was very important to my recovery, and i still reflect today on what i was taught. This program is a must for those that are serious about getting clean and staying clean. This was my third treatment program and the only one that i benefited from. I would recommend this program to any and everyone i know that is willing to change their lives, because that is what it did for me. I would like to thank all those involved in MARR, the employees and especially those that donate to make this possible. By you doing this it makes it possible for those who are serious about recovery to find a new way to live. Sincerely a grateful and blessed graduate.

Marr is an answer to prayer for our family. I am especially impressed with the "community model" used in the Marr Program. This enables them to treat the whole person how to live and deal with others productively. As a family member watching from the outside, it seems like Marr has thought of everything necessary for the client to achieve a successful recovery by using the tools they have been given. The importance of using spiritually-based programs and the aftercare programs are even more examples as to why so many people have success stores. We will always be grateful for Marr and help in anyway we can so others can receive this help. Thank you for making a difference in so many lives.

As a family member, I am so grateful to MARR for giving us back our son. As a step parent, I could not see the warm, loving, giving, funny, kind, person his dad and sister described. All I saw was the manituplative, controlling, lying, lazy, sloppy, addict he had become. I really met my stepson for the first time after knowing him for 9 years when he finally came back to himself at MARR. I now cherish the relationship he and I have and can appreciate the person he is and the warm loving giving nature that is truely my "son". Thank you MARR

I am an alcoholic who happens to be a physician. I was a resident at MARR for 90 days Dec. 2009-Feb. 2010. I was referred there by Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation in Louisville. Initially I was very reluctant, anxious, and frightened. Toward the end of my 90 days there, I did not want to leave. The professionals at MARR saved my life, my marriage, and my career. They taught me how to surrender when I had never surrendered to anything. They taught me how to pray for weakness after I had spent 59 years trying to be fabulous. They taught me how to be loved and fathered by my friends in Alcoholics Anonymous when I had been a very isolated man. Finally they gave me hope, faith, and an entirely new meaning of spirituality. I am now able to understand what it means to live one day at a time and be reasonably happy in this life, since a higher power and the Serenity Prayer has become engrained in my daily life. I would recommend MARR to anyone who would be in need of help for an addiction or for a spiritual renewal.

I have come in contact with many people that have gone through this program an have seen the amazing outcome. It gives people the tools to completly change their lives and the people around them. MARR gives hope where it is lost I am truly blessed to see the programs outcome in wonderful people everyday

MARR was instrumental in helping my daughter kick her addicitions. It is no small statement to say that MARR truly saved my daughter's life. The MARR program needs to be replicated nationally!

MARR saved my brother's life... we are forever indebted to MARR for all they have done for him and our family.

I am an alcoholic and a physician. I spent 3 1/2 months at MARR and am so very grateful. The staff is friendly, professional, and accessible from the receptionist all the way to the director. The curriculum very closely follows the program outlined in the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous. The recovering professionals component is excellent. MARR is a highly professional organization sprinkled liberally with numerous capable volunteers. It is affordable, and TOP NOTCH. MARR helped save my life and career.

MARR saved my life. I struggled with addiction from the age of 8 till I entered MARR at 20 years old. They allowed me to strip away all of the fears and get to the root of my addiction. Today I have 13 years sober and am living an active productive life. I am an active member of a 12 step program and LOVE my life. MARR gave me the foundation I needed to finally find freedom. THANK YOU!!

Marr saved my life. I arrived there a broken woman and left a sober one with my head held high!

I went thourhg treatment at MARR almost two years ago and have maintained a connection to several staff and fellow alumni becasue of the experience I enjoyed while in-patient. I now live differently because of MARR, focused on doing God's will and serving his people and my neighbors. The staff I cannot say enough good things about, from their command of the illness we are fighting to the care and time they gave each one of us. The organization as a whole was focused on helping not only the patients, but also the families, through events, frequent counseling sessions, and random phone calls just to reach out. The program of residential, patient-involved treatment was key to this experience putting me back on track, living life freer, with Christ as my savior and guide. I've said many times to MARR staff because of what they did for me, whenver they call on me, I'll be there.

MARR helped me get my life back! The staff and clients helped me to find my own higher power, which has made the difference between freedom and bondage. I love MARR.

My daughter was living with an alcoholic that was slowly killing her. She referred to herself as the "slave-nanny" and was completely broken. She did all she could to stop the drinking and the ugly behavior, but nothing worked. Finally she just existed, believing this is what her life was going to be. She was told about a one-day seminar at MARR and was excited to go. That day sparked something in her that made her change her life. She learned that she couldn't control the drinking or the behavior, but she could control her life! She has been on a journey of healing for 3 years now and is forever grateful for the guidance she received from MARR.

I went through treatment at MARR over 4 years ago. I had been through 3 previous treatments without success. Thanks to the amazing help I received at MARR, my life is whole again. My children have their mother back - there is no greater gift on earth.
Catherine C.

MARR not only saved my life, but it also helped to guide me to a growing relationship with God. Before MARR I was scared and alone, Since MARR and through God's grace I have found myself and my purpose in life. Without MARR I don't think I would have my house, job, wife or most importantly peace.

I've seen marr help dozens and dozens of men and women. It continues to show on a daily basis as more and more continue onto happy, joyous, and free lives.

MARR saved my life. I was heading down a terrible road, out of control with my addiction. They embraced me with love and support and gave me ways to cope with my problems without using drugs or alcohol. They helped me learn who I am, why I turned to drugs and alcohol, how to open up and trust others, how to feel and express my feelings rather than stuff them down. They helped me to strengthen my relationship with God. They helped me become the woman I am supposed to be. They helped me to let go of the shame from my actions in addiction. I am so grateful!

With just under two years clean myself I have had the honor of watching MARR set an unparalleled precedent in the field of treatment and recovery from addiction. Several women I know have made enormous strides in their lives passing through the women's facility in Lawrenceville Georgia. The strong sense of community, and immense support these young ladies receive as they prepare to begin their lives anew in recovery is phenomenal. Personalities begin to change, lives are repaired, families reunited.

I recall one young lady from when i first began my own treatment who was quiet, withdrawn, and so unsure of herself. After a few months she quickly lightened up, began hanging out with the other girls in the program, and before long seemed to jump right out of her shell.

Today this same young lady is an active alumni of MARR, giving back the same love, and understanding she received. Sponsoring several other young women in their journey through the initial trappings of addiction. I can honestly say that she is doing everything she can to make even a small part of the world better. Not necessarily what most people think of when the hear the word "addict".

And she is just one of many. Nearly everyone I know who has come through MARR has emerged a changed person, ready to tackle life on life's terms just like the rest of the world.

I was sent to MARR by medical school under the pretense that completion of a 90 day treatment facility would allow me to continue my education as a young doctor. I arrived thinking I was going in order to stay in school and I left believing that the only reason I ever even got into medical school was to get me to MARR. When I got to Atlanta, Georgia, I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt, a shell of a human being, if that. I can't even begin to put into words what MARR has done for my life. MARR taught me to get vulnerable and allow myself to feel. They taught me how to live sober and become a whole person. The counselors and staff at MARR are living angels- I can't even type about them without holding back tears. These people look you in the eye. They treat you with respect and provide support as you make your journey through some of the dark moments. They helped my family as well. A big part of MARR's success is based upon their "community model." They have the clients live in apartments with other newly sober women and kinda of create microcosms of the real world forcing them (us) to experience real life stress and situations in a safe environment. Unaware at the time, I was roomed with a woman who reminded me of my father the majority of my time at MARR. This challenged me to not only learn how to set boundaries and grow out of a relationship that had binded me for so long, but it also enabled me to go back and face some of the pain in that relationship- to heal from it. The whole set-up of MARR is brilliant. I can't even put it into words. My mom and I were talking about it the other day, she said "If I ever win the lottery, i would give it to MARR, they are amazing."

When I became a client of MARR, I had last my job, my home and my wife - all because of my terrible addiction to drugs and alcohol. I was absolutely broken and no longer had the will to live. Suicide seemed the only real answer to me.

Not only did MARR help me recover from this seemingly hopeless state I was in, they tought me a new way of life. A life full of purpose, joy and charity.

I have now been sober for over 8 years. I have a new loving family, a 2 year old daughter, gainful employment and absolute joy in my life.

Without MARR I have no doubt that I would not be alive today - but they gave me much more than just the will to live.

I thank God for MARR and all of the people associated with it.

One of my relatives went through the MARR program. She continues to emphasize the tremendous positive impact the program had in her life. She is currently dedicated to helping others and enjoying life in so many ways that would never have been imaginable in her former state. MARR makes a difference in people's lives.

When I came to Marr I was physically, mentally, & spiritualy broken. They walked through all areas of my healing with me. I was in pain from a leg injury and they advocated for me to find pain relief without drugs. They pushed me to dig into my feelings of why I drank & used. Then the staff is always there to help sort out all of my feelings. Even today 3 1/2yrs later, I know I am home when I walk through the doors of Marr and they will still help me sort out my feelings.

I was blessed to have found MARR at a time in my life that I felt like life was no longer worth living. I had lost my wife and alienated my children. I lived my life to drink and do drugs and nothing else mattered. I went to another treatment center where they dried me out but they did nothing to attack the problems that caused me to drink.
MARR's counselors took the time to work with me to uncover the why's dealing with my drug and alcohol abuse. It has now been 41/2 years since I have had any mind altering substances. I have my wife back and my children now trust me with their children.
Thank God for MARR.

My girlfriend was trying to get help for her addiction and MARR was able to assess her and recommended a program that really helped her. She's been clean for six months now. We never would have found the program we did without MARR. They were great.

The people I know that have been through the program at MARR have been miraculously changed. Changed in ways that the people themselves didn't think was possible. MARR is a place that I would recommend to EVERYONE. Keep up the good work!!

I have had the privilege of attending several MARR volunteer/Alumni functions. The stories of recovery I have heard are a tribute to the good work taking place at MARR. People from all walks of life have been helped, lives has been restored and hope has been found in the midst of despair.

I have seen several friends (friends of friends) go through the MARR program---from all ages, all walks of life, wealthy to penniless, highly educated to high school drop-outs.... MARR gave them back a life that they had now taken ownership of, along with skills needed to fight their fight!

My therapist went through the MARR program and can NOT say enough good things about it. She's amazing and is a testament to their good work. She's now helping people all over Atlanta and the state of Georgia find themselves and their place in the world thanks to MARR!

My son went through the 90 day treatment program. I was a bit skeptical,but had few options left. MARR had such a positive impact on my son's total character. He bought into MARR's path to recovery in a way I couldn't imagine. My best case scenario 2 years ago,before Marr, is my son's life today. He's happy,confident,vibrant,excelling at his work. He's faced his demons,kicked them to the side,and has a life he can be proud of. I thank MARR for this change in life direction.

I have been associated with MARR in some capacity for over 15 years. IMARR has been directly responsible for changing the lives of so many people. The result is they learn how to become responsible, contributing members of society. They learn you have to give it away, to keep it, for fun and for free. They give back, so much more than they have received., and it's just not about living without drugs or alcohol. Their message includes it is an on going spiritual journey, with no destination.

In 1987, MARR saved my husband from the fatal disease of addiction. I did not meet him until 1989, and as a result, I got clean as well. Today, he has 23 years clean and I have 21. It was his journey at MARR that helped him to see the purpose in his life. He worked in the field of addiction treatment for several years and 12 years ago, we started our own treatment center. Both of us are Certified Addiction Counselors today. MARR not only helps families and addicts suffering from this dreaded and powerful disease, they also encourage people like us to get involved and have mentored us and our program in a myriad of ways. I am forever grateful that through MARR I found the love of my life, I found myself and I found great mentors.

"Saved my life", overused term, well let's try this one; "Gave me a life". I came to MARR a 50yr old "boy" with a 35yr "career" in drinking and drugging. I had no tools to use to deal with life and clueless on who or what I was. MARR gave me those answers; my name is Tharin and I'm an alcoholic and I have a God of my understanding, This awareness gives me purpose, something I did not have before and a reason to live. Pretty awesome for someone who lived with suicidal thoughts for many years. MARR's proven methods and particularly their staff work equally well with the young and the old and every age in between. The fine folks at MARR taught, nutured and moulded me into a productive human being over the course of my 13month stay. Just can't say enough good things. God bless MARR!!

My son was a heroin addict who entered MARR in October 2007. MARR not only treated my son for his addiction, but they helped me and my husband by educating us on the disease of addiction and how to love our son in a way that would help his recovery rather than harm it. We continue to volunteer in the MARR community and believe it to be the best program for recovery. I would highly recommend MARR to anyone who is suffering from the disease of addiction and/or their family members. They are compassionate and they understand how the disease progresses if left untreated. They work with the families as well as the patients so that they can become part of their loved one's solution rather than continue to be part of the problem.

I have been a volunteer at MARR for almost 3 years and being a part of this organization has helped me in my spiritual growth and enabled me to help others through my experiences! Thank you MARR!!

This organization is abusive and completely lied to me and my family. I can hardly begin to describe the myriad of dishonesty but here are the highlights:

-they charged my family extra money reason given I didn't complete my homework at "feelings school." There was no homework at feelings school. The extra fees levied were a complete fabrication.
-I was kicked out for not adhering to arbitrary rules imposed like "community buddy" which would have required me to view a sporting event on a Sunday which is completely against my religion and upbringing.
-their methods were highly dishonest and abusive. I was accused of making people think I was crazy because of a very tame haircut and I came home from a day of hard work to find my room in shambles and my mattress turned upside down. They admitted the room had been searched without my knowledge or consent and searched for "contraband" although there was no reason for them to suspect that I had been up to anything untoward.
-I could go on for many more pages but suffice it to say that myself and woman I was to marry were both told that we would be dead within 6 weeks. She is now concertmaster of the State Philharmonic Orchestra and I am an underwriter with a major mortgage lender.
-MARR is not run by former addicts, but my religious kooks. Avoid this place no matter what they say or no matter how much trouble you might be in. It is clear they do not have your best interests at heart and they will let you go as soon as they see they cannot milk your family for any more money.

After maintaining my sobriety for 13 years I relapsed on pain pills following several surgical procedures. I went to an outpatient program, but relapsed again after 3 months. I entered MARR in December 2005 and stayed for 7 months. I'm so grateful that I was able to spend so much time in a residential treatment program. I believe I would not have been able to stay sober otherwise. MARR's combination of individual counseling, the family program and working the steps of AA is a powerful approach to treating addiction/alcoholism. I have been a volunteer at the Women's Center for three and a half years now and I'm so glad to be able to give back to MARR in this manner. I can't say or do enough to express my gratitude to MARR.

MARR saved my life!! MARR helped me escape the gates of hell and have showed me that I can have a wonderful joyous and free life sober! I owe my life to MARR and am forever grateful!

Almost seven years ago, my father entered treatment with MARR to encounter a life changing journey for his family and friends and to beat a horrible addiction. With help from the staff members at MARR, his outlook on life began to alter positively as the years passed. I've seen him grow into a hard working, understanding, friend/father/husband. MARR's life-skill building process, I can now trust my father to be out in the world and continue a clear, sober mind set. I'm greatful for the people at MARR who helped my father see the light of day, and mold him into the strong, reliable man as he stands, today.

MARR is such a blessing to individuals and families in need. I have personally witnessed two lives saved by MARR. I appreciate all that the professionals and graduates do to continue serving anyone in need.

There are so many people that need help with their addiction, MARR does a great job of going the extra mile to help as many people as possible who may not otherwise be able to enter treatment with scholarships, fundraisers or referring those who may need a higher level of care to a more appropriate facility.

Marr saved my brother's life. He had been struggling with alcohol and drug addiction for several years prior to getting help only to slip back into the world of addiction once more. Marr was his last hope and it truly turned his life around. He is married with 2 precious children now and enjoying a wonderful sober life!

My son completed the 90 day program at MARR over a year ago. I was skeptical initially, I think because I was afraid to believe he had conquered his demons, and would return to his dark, self-destructive world. However, each day that passes in his recovery makes me more appreciative of the staff and programs at MARR. He's become the confident, self-assured person he was capable of being. He's happy and productive, caring and loving. Thank you Marr for giving my son back.

MARR is a wonderful organization. I have known several graduates, staff and board members for several years. The graduates reflect the success of this program through their new personal and business lives. The staff and board members are all very dedicated to MARR.

I would like to divide my comments about MARR into three sections: Personal, Family, and Patient.

Personal - I have to confess that prior to my brother entering MARR I had given up any hope of him ever living a sober meaningful life. His drug dependency was ruining his life and everyone he came in contact with. It was a long winding road that he traveled before he found MARR. This program has reminded me that we should never give up on someone we love and care about, even during the darkest times there is still hope. I am grateful to the MARR program for the miracle they have worked on my brother. I have rediscovered him since he has been sober and realized what a wonderful, kind, and loving person he really is.

Family - not unlike many families who have a drug dependent family members, my brother's addiction took a toll on everyone in our family. I have two older sisters, in addition to my younger brother who was in the MARR program. While all of us were doing our best to deal with my brother's drug addiction, we all had different ideas of how that goal should be accomplished. Our differences caused friction and division within our family. Despite all of us having my brother's best interest in mind, we just could not find the help he needed to become sober. MARR was a true God Send. Even though I was skeptical of the outcome, based on prior programs that didn't work, I was anxious for my brother to enroll since I felt like at that time he had hit "rock bottom" and perhaps was in the frame of mind to finally admit his addiction and seek help. MARR not only treats the patient, it treats the patients family as well. It is truly an outreach program that has far reaching effects far beyond just the patient. MARR brought our family peace of mind knowing my brother was in a closely monitored, christian based program that would hold him accountable in a structured environment. We, as a family, finally came together knowing, regardless of the outcome, we had found the best program for our brother's problem.

Patient - the most important mission of MARR, of course, is the sobriety of it's patients. My brother has not only been sober since completing the MARR program, he now has dedicated his life to helping others with addiction problems. MARR helped him stay sober and bring meaning into his life, gave him HOPE that tomorrow was worth living for and for the first time in his adult life, gave him a future he is excited about. His transformation has been remarkable and just as his addiction divided our family, his sobriety has brought us all back together. It is a wonderful feeling and I know I speak for my sisters when I say that thanks to MARR we not only have our brother back, he has his life back.

Regards,

Robert Smith

I worked at a couple of inpatient rehab facilities in the Atlanta area. I also worked in the Aftercare dept and have known several people who have been helped by MARR. It is a great organization.

My father has been sober 5 years. If it wasn't for MARR in helping my father become sober our family wouldn't be what it is today. I want to Thank Marr and all the hard work they do. My life has changed because of them.

I've known a self-described "crazy woman" for over five years who is quite a success in life . She reflects the fulfillment of MARR's mission statement i.e. "bringing lasting recovery to alcohol and drug addicted individuals and their families."
The life-saving opportunity she credits MARR with merits considerable support. I would not hesitate referring someone, having seen the results first-hand.

We believe in Suzi Marr. She was instrumental in re-directing our son. We will always be grateful.

Mark & Maureen Goldman

marr is great and has saved may lives, i Have seen many women go in MARR broken and come out confident women with bright futures.

I know an amaing woman who would not be here without MARR. She is a therapist now, helping other people & living a full & productive life. Based on the experiences whe had & described to me, I would highly recommend MARR.

Amazing success stories come out from MARR. She is an amazing asset to our recovering community.

I participated in leading a discussion for the family members with an introduction to Alanon. The family members were grateful and and voiced positive experiences in the other MARR programs that they attended.

When she had no where else to go, when we could not help her, when we didnt know what to do, MARR was there for my sister. Without MARR, I shudder to think where she would be now. I am so grateful that they took her in.
She was hungry, and you gave her something to eat; she was thirsty, and you gave her something to drink; she was a stranger, and you invited her in; naked, and you clothed her; she was sick, and you visited her...
‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

MARR is an answer to my prayers. After years of strugglimg with addiction, my daughter agreed to enter MARR in 2009. Basically, my beautiful daughter is back - sober, sane, and with the serenity in life she was desperately seeking. MARR taught me how to find serenity as well - what a wonderful and exhilarating feeling! MARR has wonderful, caring counslors who continue to support my daughter, and I am so thankful for everything that MARR has to offer. I can not say enough wonderful things about this recovery residence.

"In 1982, at age 24, I showed up at Marr after living on the road with a 80's cover band and surviving on peanut butter, beer and whatever drugs we could afford. One of the last memories I have of "hitting my bottom" was of living in Daytona Beach and going to biker bars at 11am because they served beer for a nickel. When I got to Marr I didnt even own underthings or a brush. I was wearing a size 0 pants. Thankfully, I was given grants and a loan. I went from being an Atheist to having a profound spiritual conversion experience and have maintained abstinence for over 28 years. Thank God, not only did MARR save my life they restored me to sanity. Today, I have a thriving private practice as a therapist, had a recovery radio show for over 10years and live to serve my higher power and my family."

To be quite honest I had never even heard of MARR before I met my brother-in-law quite a few years ago. He shares his experience with anyone who will listen and has such great thankfulness from his experience. I know he has helped quite a few people get there. One particular family member was in such a place that we all wanted to help but didn't know what to do. My brother-in-law saw to it that he got the help he needed from MARR. I know that without MARR my brother-in-law and family members wouldn't be where they are today! We need more places like this in hopes of reaching more people that need this help so desperately!

I attended MARR back in 2001 and kicked and screamed the entire way there. After about a month the Miricle happened for me. I finally took the first step. A year later i left MARR with a whole new attitude toward life and I had finally reached Sobriety. After 10 years I am still active in Recovery and the Program and talk to people all the time regarding addiction. I always talk about MARR when speaking with the addict or their families. I have helped 11 people get to MARR and out of the 11 there are 10 that are sober. They are not just sober but have Sobriety in their life. I cannot not say enough good about MARR and the incredible counselors and staff that really care. They have been the instrument in saving so many people's lives, mine included. I will continue to strive to get people there as long as I am alive. Thank you MARR....

Edward M.

I came to MARR in January 2010 very lost and bewildered at the age of 54. I was a guy who had relied on myself for direction my entire life and while I had had some substantial business and career successes, my grandiose thinking and my growing alcoholism had led me into clouded thinking and bad decisions to the point I lost my way. Even I knew I could not rely on me any longer, but I did not know how to stop the alcohol use or the reliance on myself. Doug Brush, the Director of the MARR Men's Center gave me a suggestion to "pray for weakness", a piece of advice that ultimately changed my life. After getting the prayer granted, I became able to accept help and guidance through working the Steps and following the directions of my MARR counselors, my sponsor (a MARR alumni), and my MARR community.
MARR definitely saved me from myself and helped me to find God, what more direction do I need! MARR has my highest recommendation. After completing the MARR program I was moved to write this poem about my experience in MARR, I call it BRUSHED BY FAITH:
I came to MARR a broken man, having failed at every plan. I had tried my best, but I was beat; Addiction knocked me off my feet. Early in life I sought success; but as time progressed I became a mess. Entangling all those I loved and knew; the wreckage of my addiction grew.

Into the mirror I dared not look, for I saw the reflection of a crook; A man I did not even know, but he looked like me in the dim lit glow. I didn’t know how it went so bad, I only knew I felt real sad. In alcohol I sought escape, but addiction would soon seal my fate.

Even at the height of financial success, I felt so empty I couldn’t express the pain and loneliness inside, it made me drink, it made me hide. A secret double life emerged, it seemed that this might beat the scourge of all the emptiness and pain, the loneliness and all the shame.
But real life would soon collide, with the façade of me, where I would hide. It let the world come crashing in, to view my entire world of sin. In horror everyone could see, all those things I had come to be. The choices I had really made, disgusted me, I was so afraid.

The pain was so great I dare not look, I’d rather die than read my book. With tears in my eyes, I took a seat; a man named Doug Brush I would meet. He and his whole little pack of friends, already knew me and all of my sins. They taught me I was very ill, and that the cure involved no pill.

So deep inside we began to dig, to probe, to explore, to climb my whole rig. We found my real problem, the absence of God; no love, no forgiveness, my heart had grown hard.
That absence caused pain and made me so sad, even in times I should have been glad. MARR said the solution was in the Big Book, that the steps were the answer, they surely would work.

I desperately grabbed for their outreached hand and took their advice and the reading began. I prayed for weakness not to try my own way, to stick to their course, to try one more day. Then within days of working step five, God spoke to me, he was really alive. Forgiveness I felt and great love too; and forgiveness I gave and then I knew.

An incredible peace came over my life, I now feel whole, it is New Life. I now have faith if I follow God’s will, I won’t need alcohol nor even a pill to alter my mood or amp up my life, for doing God’s will would more than suffice. I’ll now go forth and make my amends, for past wrongs that happened while I was in sin.

I’ll try to do better, one day at a time and make daily amends for things I do wrong. I’ll pray for God’s guidance to increase my faith, and help those around me and those who would seek; escape from the horror of addiction and all of the pain; of a life without God, a life filled with shame.

I am thankful to God, MARR, family and friends; for helping me to rise again. Having been brushed by faith, I now can proclaim, God’s grace is the answer to all of our pain. Pure love is forgiveness, to accept and to give, and love is the key, to happy, joyous and free.

HDL

A family member attended MARR and has been drug and alcohol free for 4+ years! I know that it truly is a"one day at a time" situation ,but so far we seem to be blessed with a miracle. Going to MARR was a life saving experience for my loved one. The program not only cares for the addict, but also understands the damge and emotional turmoil of the families and offers support and counseling.

My name is Joe Albright and my company is Buckhead Document Pros. I hired Tharin Smith from MARR in 2005 and he was a great employee during his 4 years here and improved the office environment with his postive attitude and laughter. Six months later I hired Brian Thompson from MARR and have watched him learn and grow so much during his time here. Today his knowledge is incredible and his work ethic is great. Recently, I hired Mark Stephens from MARR and he is learning all the aspects of my company quickly and is a pleasure to work with. I believe MARR is a great organization helping addicts get back on the straight & narrow rode to recovery. I do whatever I can to help by letting my employees miss work or come in late/leave early so they can attend their meetings. I tell them all the time, "its more important that you get well (sober) than be a good employee. The result has been excellent employees who continue to be dedicated to staying clean. I hope to continue my relationship with MARR in the future.

My Stepson had an addidiction problem and initially refused assistance. His wife suggested MARR and he reviewed their program and deceided to give it a try. Although he had to restart the program once he did not quit.

Bottomline is that he finished progrm and has gone on to help my people who had the same problem. He believes in the program and is committed to how MARR treats and helps students. He is committed to this program.
His committment speaks a lot for this program!

Thanks for saving his life and may others!!

I am personal friends several graduates of MARR. they are exceptional people who are excellent citizens and give credit to MARR for the great changes they have been able to accomplish through this program.

I know several people who have been thru MARR and have become exceptional members of society.

I did not no where to turn, I had tried outpatient treatment and I just couldn't grasp it. My life was continuing to spiral down hill. A counselor recommended that I check at MARR. Two days later my mom and I were driving through the night to GA. No idea what I was getting myself into, planning on leaving in 90 days, I walked into MARR. After 17 months and a completely different outlook on life I move out the the 3/4's residence. I am truly grateful for the support and foundation that MARR gave me. As I continue on my journey of recovery , 4 years after walking into MARR, the staff at MARR are still there to support when I need them. I will forever be grateful.

As a new patient at MARR in 2005, I had no idea what to expect. Alcohol had taken over my life and I couldn't have cared less. My MARR "experience" showed me enough reasons to care, to the point of my becoming a volunteer, that I am still sober in 2011. Cool.

I am alive today because of MARR. After trying to get sober and my life back so many times and other places before, I finally found the place and the staff that gave me the help and the inspiration to finally live a full and healthy life. MARR continues to offer me support and encouragement. I am a miracle today thanks to MARR. And not only me, but my two sisters have also been given the gift of a life of sobriety. The family program at MARR has also allowed my parents and my niece recovery from their pain caused by the addiction of their loved ones.

There are so many people that need help with their addiction, MARR does a great job of going the extra mile to help as many people as possible who may not otherwise be able to enter treatment with scholarships, fundraisers or referring those who may need a higher level of care to a more appropriate facility

My uncle is near and dear to our entire family. He had abused drugs and alcohol for most of his life before attending MARR. I credit my other uncle for having the faith and the love to see this process through, as you know most recoveries don't happen the first time around. Thanks to the love that "X" received at MARR he is now a speaker and a sponsor for many that faced similar challenges. We love the person he has become and he is a role model already to my son. "Corm" as we know him is an inspiration to all. I hope that I can accomplish half of what he has done in his life overcoming his addictions. I am proud to say that MARR saved my uncle's life.

8 years ago my husband was a patient at MARR for over a year His stay there has changed both of our lives and thanks to help from the terrific counseling staff at MARR we were able to put our marriage back together. I can't say enough good things about the program and the staff there. Since I felt such gratitude and the need to give back to the organization, I volunteered there for several years after he left. I have seen countless men and women find their way back to sober living by the guidance of the selfless staff at MARR. Addiction is a terrible disease and anyone who is fortunate enough to find their way through the doors of MARR and who is willing to do the work as suggested there has a fighting chance at a better life.

'COMMUNITY' what a great concept. MARR taught me this at forty-two
something most people learn in their teens. i was told to make up my
bed, pray and do not tell a lie. Three simple things that took weeks before
I could do all three in one day. The structure and education on the problem helped me find a solution in AA. The communal aspect of
MARR was what I liked the most. They gave me just enough freedom
to find myself. I could not have done it without them. They made sure
I went to AA. AA made sure I got a sponsor. I found GOD through work
ing with the sponsor. I contribute to MARR, AA, church, community
and family today because I can. Thanks again MARR.

My name is Zach and I had the privilege of attending MARR for three months at the tail end of 2009 into the first part of 2010. I have tried to explain the impact that this organization and the individuals affiliated with MARR have had and continue to have on my life and each time I don't come close to doing it justice. The care, hope and light (just to name a few) that they give and dig up in you is incomprehensible. I was a travelling nomad of a hurricane requesting transfers within my company because I would stain each city I would step foot in and had to get out before everyone around me knew ME and figured out my true intentions. I had absolutely no clue of who I was, who I was supposed to be and what purpose I was supposed to serve. I was a Katrina running in the lives of those who matter the most and destroying everything...
But that is all in the past, I am not that dude today! Today, I have a clue of who I am. I am comfortable with people getting to know the real me and am not ashamed to admit I have a problem with certain altering items. Today my days are bright, my relationships flourish and my parents enjoy talking to me because they know I am not going to ask them for money so I can go back and hide in the shadows. I have an outlook that includes positive affirmation and hope; instead of the dark, dreary uncertainty that I allowed to tag along wherever I went (funny thing is that wherever I would go, I would catch up pretty quick).
Even though I heard it all the time and had a pretty difficult time believing it, this place definitely saved my life. MARR helped me discover a Zach (yes I just referred to myself in the third person ) that people want to be around again, a Zach that smiles, a Zach that thinks optimistically and a Zach that truly cares for others wants and needs.

THANK YOU MARR! See, words can’t begin to do it justice…

I have a brother and a nephew who have both been in the MARR prpogram and have both been in recovery for several years, successfully. Additionally, I have quite a few friends and neighbors who have family members equally well served. MARR is a well-run organization staffed by wonderful, caring personnel adn volunteers.

MARR is the program that allowed my brother to save his life and, by doing so, it renewed our family. It gave him a community of men who would challenge his excuses and remind him of his value. MARR took my brother back to his core values, and reminded him that God was willing and able to bless his life. My family is whole, and I am a Face and Voice of Recovery because of the choices my brother made, at 30+, as a client of MARR.