By Katie Vasquez
They have their chores and time to play, but the main purpose of their stay at St Christopher’s Inn in Garrison, N.Y. is to get sober.
The recovery program run by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is equipped to treat 118 clients, or “Brother Christophers,” as they are known here.
Like Victor, who has battled addiction for 40 years but is going through rehab for the first time.
“Drinking every day, and then I indulge in other drugs, but it was mainly alcohol,” says Victor, a client of brother Christopher. “I just got to a point where I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
The most recent data from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support says that in 2022, 2.8 million New Yorkers had a substance use disorder.
Seventy-two percent of those who sought treatment were men.
The friar’s facility incorporates spirituality into the recovery program through prayer, meditation, and mass.
“You think you can control your life, look at the mess you’ve made. Okay, so that’s the understanding. So look for a power greater than yourself outside yourself,” said St Christopher Inn’s spiritual director and president, Father Dennis Polanco.
That’s why their staff claims it’s one of the more successful programs in the state.
“There is a sense of dignity and care for one another, a lot of love, a lot of encouragement,” said Lila Stromberg, an alcohol and substance abuse counselor at St Christopher’s Inn.
John says he lost his faith and control over his life due to addiction.
“I was, I’m just going to stick it out for 90 days. it’s what’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“That’s the biggest thing that this place gave me, like a meaningful connection to a higher power,“ said John.
It’s a connection he wants to keep once he leaves.
“It’s changed my perspective on life and how I experience it on such a deep level,“ said John.
But even after treatment, relapse is common. The CDC estimates that 40 to 60 percent of addicts experience it.
Thomas says he didn’t expect to return to St Christopher’s after completing treatment in 2008.
“God kind of goes by the wayside, and you may be praying to God, but the prayers are different,“ said Thomas.
The second time around, the Catholics found God again.
“I spent a lot of time here in the chapel. I never missed a mass, ended up becoming a reader at mass,“ said Thomas.
For anyone out there struggling, Father Dennis Polanco says the first step is asking for help.
“I think one of the things is to reach out to other people, you know, and don’t be ashamed about it,” said Father Polanco. “I think one of the things that holds families back is it becomes a big secret.“
If you would like to learn more, you can visit the facility’s website, https://stchristophersinn-graymoor.org/