Recovery through Body, Mind and Spirit

In this episode of Hopecast, Fr Frank shares the journey of a young man who was losing his chronic battle with alcohol until he made the connection and commitment to his own recovery through body, mind and spirit, and his tenacity and courage to share his story to benefit others.

Believe in the Power of Hope!

Transcript

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Welcome to another edition of HopeCast. My name is Father Francis Pizzarelli. I'm the founder and executive director of Hope House Ministries. The journey to recovery and wellness is not an easy one. And Hope House Ministries, specifically our treatment program, Hope Academy, is based on evidence about treatment that works. And so when a man wants treatment, especially if he's a chronic relapser, he's really got to sign a contract for a year to 18 months. Not to anyone, that's like overwhelming. But if you're really committed to getting better, you have to trust that the professionals know a little bit more than you, and your life at this moment is unmanageable and out of control. But that's the toughest piece, and people get stir crazy after a few months. In any event, a young lawyer was the top of his class, Catholic school, public high school, state university, and law school, got a great job with a high-powered law firm in New York City, but he had developed a very serious drinking problem that began probably in late high school. He was in danger of being fired and losing his law license. So he was smart enough to resign and protect his license. Everyone in his life that was important told him that he needed to get help. But he was stubborn. He thought he could do it his way, but he got progressively worse. So he finally reached out to me because a family member knew who I was and gave him my card. We came and he talked, very bright and articulate, very polite and respectful, 37 years old, and he began treatment. I could tell that he was a little reluctant to the time commitment. Three months in, he comes to me and he says, You know, I think I got everything I need, Father, from the program. I know you have a long waiting list, so I'm going to give up my bed. I, of course, told him I thought he was making a mistake, and that I hope he really does take care of himself. Well, he went out and he started his own law practice, and within a few months he was drinking every day, again in danger of losing his law license, had overdosed a couple of times on alcohol. The last time he almost died. In sheer desperation, he reached out to me again, and very humbly asked if he could have a second chance. And I said, Academy is about second, third, fourth, fifth chances. As long as this time you're really gonna try to open your heart and be vulnerable so that you can embrace the fullness of this program. And so he did. And again, three months in, I think he's gonna check out. And he comes to me and he wanted me to know that the first go-round, he didn't buy the equation body, mind, and spirit. And this go-round he did. And he realized that the piece that was missing was a connection to his faith. And he reclaimed his Catholic faith. And he did so in a in a very powerful way. And so he continued to embrace the program and he continued to grow. Now we're about eight months in, comes to me and I'm and I'm anticipating him telling me he's got it and he's gonna take off. And he said, No, I gotta tell you something that I've never told anyone. When he was seven years old, his father, who also was a lawyer but a drunk, came home. His mom was in the kitchen with his little sister in her arms. He was sitting at the kitchen table, and his father had a gun to kill his mother. And he shot the gun. Barely missed him and grazed his little sister. He left the house, never saw him again, and it was never spoken about. And so for more than thirty years, he carried that trauma. Because in Italian households, you don't share your business. He finally had the courage to share that. And the burden was lifted, and he felt like he was transformed. So much so that for the first time in thirty years, he reached out to his father to make amends. And now they have a relationship and process. He finished the program and commenced. And because of the opportunities that Hope Academy provided him, he applied for a scholarship at St. Joseph's University in the nursing program and got a full scholarship. His ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner and give back to the place that he says saved his life. He works for me as he's going to school, doing case management for the men that have transitioned to Matt's house, which is another support mechanism once people complete the treatment program so that they can succeed. Because most people in early recovery have bills have not been paid, they don't have transportation, they don't have a job, they haven't finished their education. And so Matt's help really helps to empower that. This young man is forever grateful. And I admire his tenacity to give back, and even more so his courage to share his story, which is truly a story of hope.