Our Philosophy for Men’s Addiction Treatment

John’s struggles began at an early age – never feeling like he quite fit in anywhere or with anyone. His struggles to make friends and sustain meaningful relationships ultimately led him to use alcohol and drugs as a means to fill the void. Eventually his substance use spiraled into addiction, leading to a disastrous car accident, severe depression, suicidal thoughts and an overdose. Despite his unhappiness and negative consequences, John was unable to stop, and at only 17 years old he found himself in drug and alcohol treatment.



After 118 days in treatment and a spiritual experience through the 12 steps, John became willing to go to any lengths to maintain a life of recovery. Although he wrestled with the spiritual aspect of the 12 steps at first, the notion of crafting a God of one’s own understanding finally resonated with him, and he was able to embrace the freedom, forgiveness, and joy that the program brings forth.



Sobriety and a God of his own understanding have given John the chance to experience life in a new, fun and revolutionary way. John has worked as part of the Any Length Retreat family since 2017, and he says it has been one of the greatest and most fulfilling experiences of his life. “Our slogan ‘Recovered for Life’ is a promise that we offer to all the men who come into our care, one that every staff member has seen come true in their own lives. We simply try to carry the message outlined in the Big Book of AA.”

Joe Ramirez born on September 7, 1987 in Galveston TX, and he was raised in Bay City, Texas. Joe Has three kids Andrew, Andrea, and Aiden. Throughout his childhood he dealt with a lot of alcohol abuse in his family and drug addiction. In 2007 he enlisted in the United States Army, to change his vie on life and to do better for his family. He served 9.5 years, completed four tours overseas, and was medically retired as Staff Sergeant. When Joe retired he was having trouble finding his purpose in life and started to jump from job to job looking for something that he loved. At that time Joe found himself to start drinking a lot more and finding other solutions to be ok internally. With the struggles of PTSD, alcoholism, and drug addiction Joe found himself losing everything he had and going into a deep depression. In May 2020 he checked himself into Brazos Recovery Center to help him find a solution to why he can’t manage his own life. He was in Brazos for 90 days and after completion he went to sober living and found a new way of life. He became a house manager after 6 months of being sober and learned to have fun and start being ok with his internal condition. In February he was presented the opportunity to work at Any Length Retreat as a mentor, helping guys achieve long term sobriety and to help being ok internally. He is still an employee at Any Length Retreat as the Direct Care Team Supervisor. Joe Ramirez has found the solution of being a sober gentleman and shows others that there is hope and is a great example to those who are still trying to find a way out of the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Joe Ramirez is extremely grateful for his life today and has found the happiness he has been searching for since he was 5 years old. 

Having spent much of his youth overseas, where there is no drinking age and a high accessibility to illicit drugs, John developed a substance use disorder at an early age. By the time he returned to the U.S. to attend college, he was using drugs and alcohol daily, even resorting to dealing drugs for money. Years later his addiction would cost him two marriages, his family, his career, and eventually, his freedom. With nowhere else to turn but his Higher Power, John sought treatment at Any Length Retreat after seeing their success with other men who were just like him. He is now blessed with a beautiful life in recovery, restored relationships with his family, and the ability to use his experiences to help others overcome the disease of addiction. From the day-to-day activities, intervention services, mentoring, and business development, John has made it his life’s work to show others that there is a solution.

A man grateful for his own recovery, Robert and his family founded Any Length Retreat to help others find lasting recovery from substance use disorders.

Taking his first drink at age 12, in and out of multiple treatment centers through his teens, and blaming everyone else for his problems, Robert eventually ran out of road, using heroin, and found himself pleading guilty and sentenced to 30 months in prison. During his incarceration, his higher power reached him for the first time, and he felt complete freedom despite being locked up.

In 2012 Robert and his family founded Any Length Retreat and committed to a life of service to those who suffer from this disease. As a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Robert finds his life’s purpose through Any Length Retreat’s mission and vision.

Evan struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers and heroin for years before finally finding recovery in 2017. For many years he experienced multiple car wrecks, overdoses, lost relationships, financial ruin, and isolation at the hands of his disease. Upon seeking treatment at Any Length Retreat, Evan learned the valuable tools to live a sustainable life in recovery and felt part of a community for the first time in years.

Today Evan is grateful to share his experience through helping struggling families find treatment for their loved ones. He also maintains communication with our alumni and their families, providing them the support and guidance they need after leaving our care. “It is extremely rewarding to watch men recover and go on to live beautiful and fulfilling lives. Personally, my life has become more amazing than I could have expected.” Evan is grateful for the Any Length Retreat community for showing him the tools to create the life he always wanted, and he is happy to share that experience with men and their families.

Having wrestled with depression and shame throughout her life, Hayley had been searching for something that could give her life purpose and meaning. This journey took her around the world, moving to India, South Africa and the Middle East. However, she was never able to find what she was looking for and she relied on drugs and alcohol to mitigate feeling “lost” in life.

Following an intervention in early 2017, Hayley checked into treatment. Treatment and recovery saved her life. There, Hayley began to understand that life meaning and purpose come from within and can’t be found through any external circumstances. Hayley began to practice therapy for clients struggling with addiction.

Today, she integrates therapeutic knowledge with life experience to assist clients on their journey to recovery and towards a meaningful life worth living. She has worked at several treatment centers and private practices throughout the Austin area. She has long admired the mission and values of Any Length Retreat and the way the team works together to change men’s lives. Hayley is grateful to be part of Any Length Retreat.

Rocky was born in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He went to New Mexico State University where he got a B. S. in Biology/Kinesiology. Rocky has been a coach for 30+ years and has seen success at every level. He has a remarkable record as as a defensive backs coach, special teams coordinator and kicking coach.

Rocky struggled with alcoholism for many years. He would enter recovery and put together periods of sobriety but he would inevitably return back to drinking. He finally surrendered to the program of recovery and has found a beautiful way of life. He uses his experience with coaching as a tool to guide and direct the men at ALR to find peace and happiness. He does this by giving the guests structure and discipline. He has a great work ethic and organizational skills.