DRUG, ALCOHOL ABUSE PROGRAM HELPS ADDICTS STAY SOBER

Counselors Say Watching People Stay Sober Is Rewarding

FAIRHOPE -- For most, the holiday season is a happy time, centered around
celebrating Christ's birth, spending time with family and giving gifts.

But for some, it brings depression that can lead to drug or alcohol abuse.

That's why RAPPORT is an especially important outreach in Baldwin County
this time of year, offering people relief from those dark days if they're
willing to take the first step, organizers said.

"They have to do it for themselves. If they're doing it for someone else --
it doesn't matter how strong the program is -- it won't work," said Steve
Norman, director of the intensive outpatient program, which is a branch of
the Baldwin County Mental Health Center in Fairhope.

Nearly in its 10th year, RAPPORT is a seven-month long program for those
recovering from alcohol or narcotics abuse, said Norman, who developed the
program. Through other avenues, the mental health center is also equipped
to help people who suffer from general depression or other conditions.

In RAPPORT, for three months participants meet three nights a week for
discussion, studies and recovery. Attendance at Alcoholics or Narcotics
Anonymous is required for participation in the program, he said.

The final four months consists of continuing care given on a weekly basis.

Once people have completed the program a graduation ceremony is held with
special recognition for the notable accomplishment of staying clean and sober.

Another counselor, Bill Orchard, said participants are rewarded at the
halfway mark, too. And more importantly, after the program is over,
graduates have "a lifelong commitment to recovering in the recovering
community," he said.

About 30 people may participate in the sessions, which are scattered
throughout the year, Norman said. About half that many are currently
enrolled, but Norman said participation will continue to increase here in
Baldwin County.

"With the growing population in Baldwin County and the way we're growing,
we're seeing a big problem with alcohol and drug abuse," said Norman, a
Daphne resident.

Through the program counselors treat the abuse, which they say is a
disease, on several levels though a holistic approach, he said.

"We're attempting to turn their life around and get them back on the right
track," he said.

The three counselors, including Norman, address the physical and
psychological aspects of the abuse, as well as its spiritual and social
components.

"Socially, you've got to change your lifestyle. Break ties from old
drinking and drugging buddies. ... That's one of the hardest things to
change. If someone's ready to change the treatment's really effective, but
if they're not doing it for themselves, it doesn't work," Norman said.

Sometimes people are simply "spiritually bankrupt" he added, meaning that
they rely on drugs to fill other voids in their lives. Other times, a
physical addiction is the dominant factor.

He said seeing people succeed in life after the program is what makes his
line of work rewarding. One person, who has gone through the program, has
stayed sober for eight years, he said, estimating that hundreds of people
have benefited from the program.

Orchard, a counselor for nearly three years, agreed.

Seeing people turn their lives around is "a wonderful validation of what we
do," Orchard said.

For more information or to participate, call 1-800-738-2871 or 990-4234
There is a $35 fee to participate.

The program is well disciplined, he said, and it has homework assignments
and attendance requirements. Once a week, there is a time where family
members of those in the program may participate in the learning and
recovery process as well. Also, oftentimes graduates from the program stay
involved with it, offering support to those who are in the early stages of
rebuilding their lives.

Orchard said the start of the new year is the perfect time for family
members and loved ones to get involved with the recovery program. "This is
the time when people are thinking about changing their lives," he said.