Posted April 28, 2022
To watch the video about Matt Talbot click here.
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According to the Center for Disease Control, the United States has more than 95,000 deaths due to excessive alcohol use.
Alcohol Addiction is relying on consuming alcohol and not being able to stay sober for an extended period of time.
Catholic Charities Matt Talbot program is a residential treatment center that helps adults who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction.
"We have two gender-specific programs, so one for females and one for males. It's a residential program and typically 60 days." Director of Residential Treatment Services Jennifer Tulli said.
During the 60 days, client schedules consist of group therapy and education. Some of the topics discussed during the group activities are trauma, coping skills, education on the disease, and more.
There are also health and wellness activities in the men's program that clients can engage in.
"We have an individual staff member who does yoga and mindfulness and meditation with them [clients], and that's something we're going to expand for our women's program as well," Tulli said, "We also have an art therapist who will incorporate some art therapy into the day."
Although their day is mainly filled with getting information about addiction, it is also a way for socializing without the use of substances.
"It keeps them busy, but it's important for us to be able to give them as much opportunity to learn about the disease and to just learn how to interact with people without the use of drugs and alcohol," Tulli said.
Substance abuse can creep up on people in many different ways. It can be from going through a divorce, losing a job, or even losing a loved one.
"It really got bad a couple of years ago when my dad passed away," Client Chad Kleja said, "I just started drinking very heavily; it was probably a 30-pack [of beer] per day. I would wake up with jitters, sleepless nights, and feeling restless throughout the day. It was literally a living hell."
Alcohol was one of the first things that would come to Kleja's mind when he woke up.
"The first thing I would do in the morning was to try and summon up enough energy to walk maybe like 200-300 feet to the store just to get a beer and to figure out how to get more money to last me out through the day," Kleja said.
The road to recovery is an everyday battle for addicts and can be a challenge, but for Kliea, it has given him something more so far.
"This [Matt Talbot] gave me my life back… actually no, a new life," Kleja said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, know that you are not alone. Click below to learn more about Catholic Charities programs to help with substance abuse.
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
