Supply: instagram / Instagram
Skateboard legend Brandon Turner is popping his private struggles right into a power for good by means of his work with Westside Restoration, a rehabilitation middle that gives a supportive neighborhood for people 18 and older going through challenges with substance abuse or psychological well being.
Situated within the laid-back, picturesque neighborhood of Pacific Seashore in San Diego, California, Westside Restoration offers a compassionate, multifaceted method to therapeutic. The middle’s applications mix group remedy, one-on-one counseling, and experiential therapies to assist purchasers not simply get better, however really thrive.
Turner’s connection to habit is deeply private. Having earned his first skateboarding sponsorship with Voice Skate boarders at simply 13 years previous within the ‘90s, he was rapidly thrust into the fast-paced world of professional skating. Due to the mentorship of trade legends like Tomonari Hongo and Peter Smolik, Turner discovered himself touring the world, competing on the highest ranges, and making a considerable earnings. However as his profession soared, so did the temptation of the party-heavy life-style that usually accompanies fame. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than alcohol started to take a toll on his life, exhibiting Turner firsthand simply how troublesome it may be to navigate habit with out the fitting assist.
“I began consuming, touring the world once I was 17, being in several international locations the place the [drinking] age wasn’t 21. At first, it was simply all enjoyable, after which it began changing into an issue,” Turner informed NewsOne in an unique interview.
“I simply realized among the traumas that I had once I was little would come out, and I didn’t know then, however plenty of that stuff was popping out, like, externally. I assumed I used to be simply consuming to have enjoyable. However the cause why I became a special particular person is as a result of I had stepped very deep down inside my childhood, one thing that I by no means bought an opportunity to work by means of.”
Turner’s struggles with alcohol ultimately caught up with him, resulting in a number of DUIs and even time behind bars. However the hardest a part of his battle wasn’t simply the results—it was the isolation he felt, unable to search out anybody to show to for assist. The stigma he confronted from household and buddies solely made issues worse. They’d usually inform him to toughen up and get his “sh*t collectively.” On the time, remedy was seen as an indication of weak point, one thing solely “wealthy white folks” did, and never one thing folks like him might depend on. The concept of looking for assist felt out of attain.
Group is essential at Westside Restoration.
That’s why neighborhood is on the coronary heart of Westside Restoration—a core precept Turner prioritized when creating the middle. He wished to construct a spot the place folks might “relate to somebody” and “open up” about their struggles, figuring out they’re not alone of their restoration journey. Westside welcomes a various vary of people—from musicians and skaters to enterprise professionals and blue-collar staff—making a supportive surroundings the place everybody can join and heal collectively.
The middle gives a variety of applications designed to fulfill every particular person’s distinctive wants, pursuits, and objectives. From artwork and music to yoga, Pilates, and browsing, Westside’s choices encourage private expression and assist contributors rediscover pleasure all through their restoration. As well as, Turner leads a weekly skateboarding session for each newcomers and skilled skaters. Held twice every week, these periods present a possibility for contributors to study the game instantly from the professional himself, mixing health, enjoyable, and a way of neighborhood into the restoration course of.
“It’s wonderful to see individuals who by no means thought they may hop on a board truly do it,” Turner stated.
One other standout characteristic of Westside Restoration is its intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is versatile and designed to suit into the busy lives of people with work, household, or different commitments. Notably, this system permits purchasers to get the assist they want with out interrupting their every day lives, giving them the liberty to heal on their phrases.
Turner has his eyes on growth for 2025. He hopes to create a house within the second section of Westside Restoration that not solely offers remedy but in addition serves as a neighborhood useful resource hub — a “enjoyable” zone the place folks can entry assist and have interaction in actions multi function place. In keeping with Turner, previous graduates of Westside Restoration have deeply appreciated the middle’s capacity to foster connections, and he shares that sentiment, recognizing the ability of neighborhood within the restoration course of.
“Having that neighborhood of assist and connection is admittedly essential, and I feel we have to maintain that alive with all aspects of our lives,” he added.
SEE ALSO:
Mindset Of An Entrepreneur: How This Black Restaurateur Seeks To Affect Native Authorities
