A local addiction treatment centre says even though they've been operating in Central Alberta for over 10 years now, many are still unaware of their services.

In this National Addictions Awareness Week, iRecover at Tees is touting some of their success stories.

Owner Jim Gray explains what's at the heart of their 8 week program "get you to change your life because it's never about the alcohol and drugs and the way you can prove that is they picked up when they were clean and sober, it's about why you picked up that first drink, beacause that's become your best friend and now you have to get rid of your best friend and start your life new.  Not only do they want to be here, but they need to pay to be here, you always get better results when someone has their own money into it".

Gray is very passionate about the work they do, as he started the centre after his son was hit by a drunk driver in Lacombe in 2004, in hopes of getting drunk drivers off the road.

Gray encourages you to "Never give up on a loved one, there's hope for everyone.  It's the disease driving you crazy, not the person".

iRecover opened in the summer of 2005 in the old Tees prison.

irecover.ca, 403-784-3993

Photo's Courtesy of iRecover