CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Overcoming alcohol and drug addictions is a tall task, but those who suffer do not have to recover alone.
A new women’s addiction treatment building at CADAS on the Chattanooga northshore will represent 36 new beds that will provide recovery options for those recovering from addiction.
The six million dollar facility will bring the total number of beds that CADAS has to well over a hundred, and allow the organization to separate genders during treatment.
CADAS Executive Director Paul Fuchcar said, “CADAS is not unique in that we’ve had a waiting list for our services, our residential services, every day that I’ve been here, and I’ve been here for 21 years. So our real goal again is to try and offer treatment on demand for people who need it.”
The facility is being funded by both state grants and Hamilton County’s Opioid Abatement Fund.
These funds come from settlements with pharmaceutical companies blamed for the proliferation of opioids.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp says they’ve elected to use most of these funds on CADAS.
The mayor said, “The reason that CADAS is the organization that’s received most of those funds is because of the work that is being done. We shouldn’t be applauded for that. That’s just us knowing our community and knowing who’s doing the great work.”
Those who check into these facilities will be working with specialist counselors trained in working through addictions.
Fuchcar said, “We’re going to show you the path. Instead of climbing the stairs, we’re going to show you the escalator, but it’s going to be you operating through all of that, it’s going to be you gaining the skills that you need to get and stay sober.
For him, this is a personal mission as he says he had to overcome addiction in his own life.
He wants his story to be inspiring for others.
Fuchcar said, “What happened to me when I was in the middle of my addiction is that I thought that if I quit using alcohol and drugs, that I would die. My head was telling me this, it’s not true, but who was around to tell you that your head is not telling you the right thing? So, I lived in that disbelief for many years, and my moment of clarity, my hitting bottom was that moment where I said, “I may die three days sober, but I will be sober when I die.”
Fuchcar added on those suffering, “They’re just trying to survive. The biggest thing we do here is say you’re okay, you’re fine, you just need to understand that some of the things you’ve thought over the years are not accurate.”
An opening date will be announced as soon as possible.
