Addiction Treatment and the Importance of a Single Call

When it comes to addiction treatment, oftentimes a single phone call can make a huge impact on one’s health and life. Many addiction treatment centers have staff who work to help those in crisis connect with addiction treatment.

Recently, a TikTok user called Richard went viral when he posted about how a single phone call radically changed the course of his life.

Addiction Crises and Hotlines

Richard’s story begins like so many others; in a moment of crisis.

Addiction can be a challenging disease that affects the individual and all those around them. In addition to psychological or emotional pain, many substance addictions can leave somebody in physical pain as well, without the ability to function without drugs or alcohol in their system. This was Richard five years ago; struggling with alcohol addiction and reaching the point of no return.

One night, realizing he was in a bad spot, Richard picked up the phone and called American Addiction Centers’s helpline. Addiction helplines (or hotlines) are 24/7 phone lines designed to help those struggling with addiction connect with potentially life-saving care. In Richard’s case, Katelyn Vargo answered the phone. The conversation they would have would help set Richard up to take his life in a new direction.

The Stress of Committing to Treatment

For many struggling addiction, the idea of seeking treatment can be stressful. It often represents the first step of a journey to recovery. This journey can be long and contain a lot of unknown elements, and it’s normal for people to get cold feet or wonder if they can find sobriety without committing to addiction treatment.

After Richard’s call with Katelyn, he’d committed to attend rehab at Oxford Treatment Center. However, the next day, he had doubts. As he spoke with his wife, Richard believed that the stress of traveling and attending treatment was too much, and he came to believe he could detox on his own. He called Katelyn and canceled his spot in Oxford.

However, after another conversation with family, Richard managed to overcome his doubts and catch a plane to Oxford Treatment Center. Richard completed treatment, achieved sobriety, and would go on to build a life after rehab.

Life After Treatment

Cut to five years later, and Richard posts a TikTok about his life that would go viral. In it, he writes:

“To Katelyn…who used to work at American Addiction Centers and answered my desperate drunken call 5 years ago. I’m still alive. And sober. (Also I got a degree, went to law school, and just took the bar. All because of that Phone Call.) …I’ll never forget it. Thank you.”

Richard recorded his video at an airport, remembering that time five years ago when he’d boarded a plane to Oxford Treatment Center. Additionally, Richard recently appeared on the Tamron Hall show, where he met with Katelyn for the first time. You can watch the emotional behind the scenes on the American Addiction Centers Youtube channel:

While everybody is different and may find life after addiction treatment can go in different ways, there’s always a chance to live a better, healthier life. Richard had that chance five years ago when he made a single phone call and began his journey to recovery.

Finding Addiction Treatment at Oxford

Richard’s story is one of many who have achieved recovery after a life of struggling with substances. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Oxford Treatment Center offers evidence-based care for those struggling with addiction. Our treatment campus in Etta, Mississippi, offers patients a full continuum of addiction care, specialized programs for vulnerable individuals and groups, and a variety of amenities to create a comfortable treatment environment.

Our staff is ready to take your call and help you navigate the stressful early stages of treatment and discuss potential rehab payment options. Don’t delay, call us today at .