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HEALING AGENT

Seabrook House A Place to Recover

SEABROOK HOUSE was founded by Jerry and Peg Diehl in 1974. Jerry passed away in 1989 but Peg and their son, Ed, continue their mission today. This is their story. After years of pain, confusion and fear, Jerry Diehl came reluctantly to Alcoholics Anonymous. He had reached a bottom that only a few short years before could not have been imagined. The year was 1968, his wife Peg was making heartbreak- ing plans to take their four boys and leave NJ to return to the support of family in Philadelphia. Conflict reigned supreme. Jerry loved Peg and the kids, but love alone wouldn’t make him stop drinking. As the years passed, Jerry’s drink- ing increased, along with a number of missed opportunities. Hopes were replaced with fear and uncertainty.

Peg walked the beach alone, praying for some answer. An answer came: Peg remem- bered her cousin George had entered Alcohol- ics Anonymous and lived a happy, sober life. She discussed the idea with Jerry and he agreed to try. Although a relapse would follow, Jerry’s recovery began to take hold. Peg learned that there was help for family members too, and to- gether they began a journey of healing. Their fifth child was born that first year, never to see his dad take a drink in his lifetime. The Diehls came to know a few sober friends who shared a different experience. A fortunate few had gone to rehabilitation centers in Penn- sylvania. Treatment helped these folks get a foothold on sobriety and return to AA where they built a foundation. They began to explore ways to bring a treatment center to southern

NJ. Jerry knew Senator Harrison Williams, whose own recovery from alcoholism had be- gun that same year. The senator suggested the group reach out to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The NIAAA sought new ideas to advance the battle against the disease. Peg identified a missing ingredient. At that time, little was done to help the alcoholic’s family. A proposal was written to NIAAA, in- cluding the unique feature of a treatment plan for family members. Confident, those early founders searched for a NJ location and were led to the vacant estate of frozen foods pioneer Charles F. Seabrook. Nestled within forty acres of Cumberland County, stood the Seabrook mansion, a perfect, peaceful place. June of 1974, Seabrook House opened its doors,

embracing a vision to make recovery possible for every family who needs it. Built upon the bedrock of helping others, Seabrook House has assisted thousands in their search for a new beginning. Today, with locations in Bridgeton, NJ, Cherry Hill, NJ, Northfield, NJ, Westfield, PA and coming soon to Morristown, NJ, Seabrook House provides every level of care from detoxification through sober living and outpatient services. As an internationally recognized and accred- ited organization, Seabrook House has earned a reputation for excellence in the treatment of addictive disorders. Now, more than forty years old, Seabrook House remains inspired by the beliefs and integrity of its founders. Visit www.SeabrookHouse.org or call 800-761-7575. *

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