Maison Dunham House

02/12/2026

Another Chance to Begin

How many times do we have to begin again?

In a lifetime, there are these big resets that hit without asking permission: a death, a separation, a job loss, a career change... and recovery.

You turn around, look at the wreckage, and think: "Here I am again. Back to square one."

The hardest part?

Forgive yourself for needing to start over. For the mistakes. For the relapses. For all the ways you weren't ready before.

But here's the truth: every new beginning requires letting go. Not erasing what happened, but releasing the grip it has on you.

Forgive the old version of yourself so the next one has room to grow.

Forgiveness, of yourself, of others, of the path that brought you here, isn't weakness.

It's how you reclaim your right to try again.

Starting over doesn't mean the past didn't matter. It means: I get back up, I learn, and I move forward... with more truth, more compassion, and a better understanding of what I actually need.

At Dunham House, we believe recovery is built on second chances, and third ones, and fourth ones.

Our integrated dual diagnosis programs meet you wherever you are, without judgment, ready to help you build something real.

02/10/2026

''I relapsed three times before it finally stuck."

That's what someone told me last week.

And you know what? They've been in recovery for six years now.

Recovery from addiction or mental health stuff isn't a straight line.

*It's messy.
*There are detours.
*There are days that feel like you're back at square one, whether that's picking up again or falling back into old patterns of anxiety, depression, or isolation.

But here's the thing: those detours aren't failures.

They're part of your story.

They're where the real learning happens.

Long-term recovery, whether you're working on addiction, mental health challenges, or both, isn't about being perfect.

It's about staying in it. Staying connected, staying supported, staying committed even when it's hard.

Because this isn't a sprint where you cross the finish line and you're done.

It's a marathon.

And marathons are run one mile at a time, with people cheering you on along the way.

You don't have to do this alone. 💙

02/07/2026

Su***de Prevention Week ends today, but we're still here.

If you're dealing with addiction and mental health stuff, you know how dark it can feel.

Like you're carrying something too heavy to share.
Like maybe you're just fundamentally broken.
You're not.

Sometimes we use substances to quiet the noise in our heads.

Sometimes the depression makes sobriety feel impossible.

And trying to fix one without the other?
That's when hope feels furthest away.

You don't need to have it all figured out.

You don't need to choose which pain to deal with first.

You just need to know there are people who get it, who won't make you feel like a problem to be solved.

If you're in crisis:

988 (Su***de Crisis Helpline)
Text CONNECT to 686868 (Quebec)
1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)

If you're just tired of carrying this alone, reach out.

We offer integrated care that treats all of you, not just the symptoms.

There's room for you here.

02/05/2026

Think you need to put your whole life on pause to get help?

You don't.

Our 12-Week Outpatient Program is designed for real life, work, family, responsibilities and all.

Whether you're continuing your recovery journey after residential treatment or need structured support without stepping away from everything, we meet you where you are.

This program reinforces healthy habits, provides ongoing therapeutic support, and connects you with people who actually get it.

Because sustainable recovery isn't about dropping everything, it's about building something better while living your life.

Perfect for those who need expert help with mental health and addiction but can't hit pause on their world.

https://www.dunhamhouse.ca/outpatient-services

02/03/2026

We're wired for connection, but nearly half of us still feel lonely.

Despite endless scrolling and constant notifications, a genuine human connection can't be replaced by screens.

Belongingness isn't just about being around people. It's about feeling valued, understood, and truly part of something.

The research is clear: strong social connections improve mental health, reduce stress, and build resilience.

But loneliness? It takes a real toll on both mind and body, increasing risks for depression, anxiety, and chronic health issues.

The good news? Community can be intentionally built.

Small, consistent actions matter: reaching out to a friend, showing up to local events, creating spaces where people feel safe to share their stories.

These aren't just nice gestures. They're essential to our well-being.

At Dunham House, we create a community where connection and belonging are at the heart of recovery.

Because healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens together.

01/31/2026

Sometimes healing needs space to breathe.

Our 30-day residential program in Quebec's Eastern Townships isn't about escaping your life; it's about learning to live it differently. Surrounded by 80 acres where you can finally hear yourself think.

And we don't stop at discharge.

Our twelve-week aftercare program keeps you connected to the community that gets it.
Recovery isn't a straight line.

It's a path through the snow; sometimes you need to make your own trail, but you don't have to walk

🌲 English-language dual diagnosis treatment
📍 Eastern Townships, Quebec
📞 450-263-3434
Learn more: https://www.dunhamhouse.ca/30-day-program

01/29/2026

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVE INFLUENCES
You know how erosion works?

After a heavy rain, each drop falls in the same spot on the rock.

One drop? Nothing.

But thousands of drops, year after year... eventually carve through stone.

The rock didn't "make bad choices." It just stayed put.

We have an advantage the rock doesn't: we can move.

In recovery, negative influences work the same way.

It's rarely one big dramatic event.

It's more often a constant drizzle: a relationship that drains you, comments that diminish you, people who minimize your journey, scrolling that leaves you restless and empty, toxic thoughts you let loop endlessly.

Over time, it erodes your willpower. Chips away at your peace.

Question: What's your "shelter" when things get rough? And what's the rain you need to stop tolerating?

At Dunham House, we help you build that shelter.

01/27/2026

I read a story that hit me hard. A guy quit his job, hit the road, came back dirty and tired but with the smile of someone who felt truly alive. He had almost nothing in his pockets.

But he had stories. Mountains, cold nights, struggles, moments that reminded him he wasn't just born to "endure."

When asked what he'd do next, he said he'd go back to work for a bit... just so he could leave again.

It struck me: the goal isn't to be comfortable. The goal is to be alive.

In recovery, there's a trap we can fall into: becoming so "safe" that we become numb.

We confuse peace with boredom. We confuse stability with a cage. Yes, we need structure. Yes, we need to protect our path. But we don't have to live in a beige box for the rest of our lives.

Adventure doesn't have to mean backpacking through Europe. Adventure can be: learning to actually cook, taking a class, picking up drawing again, walking in the cold, signing up for a sport, finding a new coffee spot, taking a day trip, getting involved, creating something, saying yes to an activity with safe people.

Adventure is a calculated risk. Not an escape. Not self-sabotage. Just a way to remind yourself that you can live big without destroying yourself.

What's one small adventure you could say yes to this week?

At Dunham House, we help you build a life worth living, not just a life worth surviving.

Our residential program combines structure with the freedom to rediscover who you are beyond addiction.

01/25/2026

Heading back to work after treatment? You don't have to explain everything, but you do need to explain your value.

One of the biggest questions people face after completing addiction recovery is: "How do I talk about my gap in employment?"

The truth is, you have more control over this narrative than you think.

Our latest blog breaks down practical strategies for crafting a resume that highlights your strengths, addresses employment gaps with confidence, and positions you for success in your job search.

Plus, we've included resources specifically for people in recovery who are ready to rebuild their careers.

Whether you're returning to your field or exploring something new, this guide will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Read the full article:

Navigate employment after addiction recovery. Learn resume strategies to explain gaps, highlight transferable skills, manage workplace stress, and find job reintegration programs and resources.

01/23/2026

When addiction impacts someone you love, it can affect the whole family, your stress levels, your relationships, and your day-to-day peace. You deserve support too.

Dunham House’s 6-Week Family Program offers a guided space for loved ones to learn practical tools, healthier communication, and supportive boundaries,without blame or shame.
Starting Jan 27th 2026!

✅ Learn more + reserve your spot: https://www.dunhamhouse.ca/family

01/22/2026

Remember what it felt like to wake up without that weight on your chest?

To make plans and actually keep them?

To trust yourself again?

That's the freedom recovery offers. But staying free takes practice.

Recovery doesn't end when treatment does.

That's why we're launching our 12-Week Aftercare Program this January.

Starting January 26th, join us for twice-weekly workshops covering everything from managing triggers and cravings to building healthier relationships and preventing relapse.

Whether you're fresh out of treatment or years into your journey, these tools can help you keep moving forward.

What you'll explore:
Foundations of recovery, emotion regulation, mindfulness and self-compassion, trauma work, stress management, relationships and boundaries, and more.

The details:
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm
In person or online via Teams
12 weeks,
Freedom isn't just about what you leave behind. It's about who you become when you're no longer controlled by substances.

Learn more or register by contacting p.goldman@dunhamhouse.ca or calling 450-263-3434 x227.

01/20/2026

You've been trying everything to help them. But who's helping you?

If someone you love is struggling with mental health or addiction, you don't have to navigate this alone.

Our 6-Week Family Program is designed specifically for loved ones who want to understand, support, and heal alongside those in recovery.

What we'll explore together:

-Understanding addiction and family dynamics
-Communication skills that actually work
-Recognizing triggers, patterns, and reinforcement
-Setting boundaries while regulating your own emotions
-Supporting someone through the stages of change
-Rebuilding trust and genuine connection

Mental health challenges ripple through entire family systems.

This program gives you the tools, language, and community support to move forward together.

Program Details:
📅 Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm
🗓️ Starting the week of January 26th
💻 Online via Teams
Whether you're a parent, partner, sibling, or close friend, this space is for you.

To register : https://www.dunhamhouse.ca/family