"God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you"(St. Augustine)
Alcoholism is an illness, which is not only damages person's physical health, but it also turns over his psychic balance. Addicted people can not control their actions. Alcoholics ruin not just their own lives, but also the lives of their beloved ones. Become free from an alcohol addiction is really difficult.
That's why the initiative which was introduced in Transcarpathia in January of 2010 is essentially important. The retreat and the program itself was started in 1985 in Hungary. Initially Halasz Endre, a roman-catholic priest and the founder, began to work with his volunteer co-workers to provide help for the alcoholics and organized the Catholic Service for Alcohol Addicts. Since 2001 priest Otto Jakus is the head of this organization.
The retreats for alcohol addicts are being organized once in three monts in different parts of Transcarpathia. In January held in Rativci with 17 participants, in April with 19 people in was held in Bustino, in July 15 people took part in the retreat in Uzhgorod and the last one was in Sinyak where 19 people participated. Father Gyorgy Fazekas conducted all the retreats who came from Veresegyhaza. Every time he invited helpers who were former addicts. They shared their experiences to help others to get rid of the addiction. The examples of the former addicts usually inspire, strengthen and give hope for those who suffer now and make them realize that they are able to do the same if they really want to. During the three-days retreat there are meditations, discussions in small groups, prayers and witnesses. There is always a significant stress on creating an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Anybody can join the community on one condition that he or she has a desire to give up drinking.
The centre and the foundation of the Catholic Service for Alcohol Addicts is God and it's strength in the power of community. Contradict the evil and be persistent in good is much easier if there are more people to hold your hands. It is important for the addicts to realize that alcoholism is not God's punishment, but the consequence of once wrong decision. That's why the primary goal is to find the right way. Those who experience the happiness of being sober can enjoy the gift of freedom.
"Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him, and he will eat with me." (Rev 3:20)