Mackenna's Story
Mackenna Page laughs a lot, and there’s good reason why.
He’s off the drugs and alcohol that had held him back for more than half his life. He traded them in and likes what he got in return: a new church family, a loving wife, a thriving construction business, a relationship with the Lord, and a beautiful and healthy baby boy.
For Mackenna, it was The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) that showed him how he could make that trade. He’d heard about ARC from another friend when they were both still incarcerated.
The first month of the 6-month residential work program was the most difficult. “They call it Blackout. You can’t call your family or friends or really talk to anyone.” The focus is on your individual recovery, said Mackenna. And although he wasn’t a believer, he started listening to the morning devotions and learning about the Lord. “It was appealing after awhile,” he said. “They didn’t push it on us, but showed us how it helped others.”
“When I was there, my main focus was to find a new group of people that are doing good. If people are holding you back, you have to let them go…it’s your life or theirs.” Although recovery from addiction is a daily struggle, having an extended church family that provides care and comfort is an amazing blessing, says Mackenna.
“I can’t even explain it,” he said – with a laugh.