Shawn’s Story of Hope

By Mallory Mason | December 30, 2025

My name is Shawn McKinney. I was born in February 1978 and raised in Marietta, Georgia. I am the owner and operator of Handyman McKinney’s L.L.C. I arrived at The Extension on September 1st, 2017. Broken from a life of bad choices. The Extension was the answer to a lot of desperate prayers. I began…

David’s Story of Hope

By Mallory Mason | October 31, 2025

I had 6 years clean and sober, and then I turned seven years old and had my first drink. I started to drink heavily in high school and got into hard drugs in my 30s. In 2019 I spent a few months in Cherokee County Adult Detention Center and it was there that I heard…

A Strong Foundation: Rick’s Story of Hope

By Mallory Mason | April 30, 2025

I used to think that it was my destiny to be an alcoholic. It started so young for me that I was getting high by the age of 8. I was prescribed Ritalin at a young age, and when my mom would give it to me everyday and I wouldn’t always take it. I would…

Sometimes the Wrong Choices Bring Us to the Right Places

By Mallory Mason | October 30, 2024

My name is Sydney, and I was born in Jacksonville, Florida. I’m the youngest of four kids. Some of us are from different marriages, but that didn’t stop us from acting like full siblings. I was the stereotypical little sister, running around and terrorizing my siblings. I was really attention seeking, so I did anything…

Recovery Takes Flight

By Mallory Mason | April 9, 2024

Although I could use my given name, my brothers in the program had other ideas. While I was neither a lieutenant nor injured in combat during my military service, they chose to call me “Lieutenant Dan” or “LT.” I was born on a relatively normal day in a relatively normal hospital to a relatively normal,…

Marietta Daily Journal: “It’s Major League” The Extension Opens $7 Million Facility

By Mallory Mason | November 17, 2023

We are so proud to share this building with our community. While the exterior is a sight to behold, it’s what will happen on the inside that makes this building so special. Thousands of lives will be transformed creating lasting hope and healing for generations to come. Thanks to CorkHoward Construction for their unmatched generosity…

Christine’s Story of Hope: Grateful for Every Moment

By Mallory Mason | October 31, 2023

My name is Christine, I’ve been clean and sober for three years, and I bought The Australian Bakery on the square on August 1st. I grew up working in my dad’s restaurant, so food service is something I’ve always been comfortable with and thrived in. So, when I got to The Extension and had to…

The Extension Receives Grant from Amerigroup Foundation to Support New Reconnecting Families Program

By Mallory Mason | September 12, 2023

Program Launched with Critical Funding from Amerigroup Foundation The Extension is pleased to announce the expansion of its evidence-based treatment program to include family education and therapy through the support of a two-year, $180,000 grant from the Amerigroup Foundation. Recognizing the profound impact of substance use disorder on the overall well-being of every family member,…

The Power of Community: Hank and Eddie

By Mallory Mason | September 1, 2023

Those in recovery know how tight knit the community is, and how vital it is to maintaining their long-term recovery. Support from people who know exactly what you’re going through makes all the difference. Community bonds are the ties that hold people together when they feel at their lowest, we lean on one another and…

Learning to Stay

By Mallory Mason | September 1, 2023

I had 15 alcohol related arrests before I came to The Extension. My life was full of toxic relationships, and I bounced around motel rooms for 10 years. I had been married for almost 20 years and divorced because of alcoholism. My ex-husband went home to Long Island with our kids and told me not…