Last Door Addiction Recovery Message

Last week, the Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center (DARC) invited Last Door Recovery Society to Japan for a life-changing 10-day experience focused on sharing the powerful messages of the #NewWestRecovery model. Our delegation—comprising Last Door staff, participants from our Family Program, and co-facilitators from the Family Enhancement Program—had the privilege of traveling to Tokyo and Gunma, Japan, for this incredible knowledge-sharing journey.

There are over 80 DARC centers across Japan, and staff and stakeholders from these centers packed the conference rooms to hear the stories and insights shared by our team. The sessions were intimate, interactive, and deeply moving. With over 300 attendees in some rooms and everything translated into Japanese, it took a bit of time to get the message across. But the nods of understanding and the warmth in the room showed that the universal message of love, hope, and recovery truly resonated.

One particularly powerful moment came during a Family Program session, where more than 120 families of people in early recovery listened to messages from other families who had walked the same path. The response was overwhelming and emotional, a reminder of the deep impact recovery and community support can have.

Each day was a blend of learning, connection, and culture. One of the unforgettable highlights was experiencing the Okinawa-style Taiko drumming performance—an incredible cultural moment that truly captured the spirit of the journey.

Why Did Last Door Go to Japan?
At Last Door, we often encourage our clients to stay connected to their recovery, even when traveling. Many of our alumni—who have embraced the gifts of recovery, including the ability to travel—have visited Japan over the years and met DARC members at recovery meetings. This ongoing relationship and mutual support has grown into a strong connection, one that has led to this exchange of knowledge and experience.

The collaboration between Last Door and DARC started when a group from DARC visited us at the Recovery Capital Conference and Recovery Day BC. We’re so grateful to have inspired them to extend the invitation to us. The bonds built over time have created a foundation for even more meaningful exchanges in the future.

We’re already planning more knowledge-sharing trips and are hopeful that one day, we’ll be able to host a Recovery Conference or Recovery Day in Japan.

A huge thank you to everyone who represented Last Door and the #NewWestRecovery model in Japan, and of course, thank you to DARC for the warm invitation. Here’s to more journeys of hope and connection ahead!

To view more photos vest our Facebook page
Last Door Facebook Post