Posted April 28, 2022
To listen to Chad about his experience with Catholic Charities, watch the video here.
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Addiction can start anywhere, anytime, and at any age. It can start as someone trying to fit in with a group of friends, college partying every weekend, and so much more.
Matt Talbot client Chad Kleja had what he described as a normal childhood, but when he was in middle school, he got involved with the wrong crowd.
“I was like highly influenced… It was around 13 that’s when I started smoking pot, and that led to alcohol.” Kleai said.
After his first drink, Kleja was drinking almost every day with only a couple of months of sobriety at a time. However, it wasn’t until the passing of his father that his addiction took a turn for the worst.
“It really got bad a couple of years ago when my dad passed away,” Kleja said, “I just started drinking very heavily… it was probably a 30-pack [of beer] per day.”
Kleai had been working with his brother at the time, but because of his drinking, he lost his job. He would have to count change in order to get what he needed.
“I would go up to the store and try to count the change to the cashier, but my hands were all over the place. I would have people staring at me. It was embarrassing.” Kleja said.
It wasn’t until his roommate at the time took Kleja to the hospital to detox. He met a nurse who told him about Matt Talbot and said it might be a good fit for him.
“When I got here [Matt Talbot], my beard was overgrown, my hair a mess, I was pale, underweight, scared,” Kleja said, “It took me about, I would say, two weeks to feel comfortable talking in groups.”
It’s been a long journey, but Kleja has found himself again and has been getting the most out of this program.
“This has given me my life back, actually no, a new life,” Kleja said.
He acknowledged that his brain hasn’t been able to fully develop because of his drinking and smoking marijuana from a young age, but he’s working on it.
Kleai wants to remind people that the alcoholic lifestyle is not the way to go.
“It’s no way to live. Active addiction, active alcoholism is no way to live because you may think you’re having a good time, and in all reality, it’s gonna come to a head,” Kleja said, “You’re gonna lose everything, including yourself. The only way to get it back is through treatment and a healthy support system for sure.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, know that you are not alone. Catholic Charities may be able to help. Click below to learn more about our programs.
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
