53 Lifeline clients graduate 9-month recovery program

Following successful completion of the nine-month substance abuse treatment at Lifeline Recovery Center, 53 individuals and their families celebrated a new beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, when they received their certificates.

Executive director Ashley Miller congratulated them. "God has brought you through the fire (of addiction), so you know he has so much more in store for you," she said. "This is the start of your new life. You will go through it with God loving you and your new Lifeline family at your side."

In addition to recognizing the graduates, Miller also recognized the staff of 13 and 65 volunteers.

Quoting one of the volunteers, she told the graduates, "Sobriety is just the first down. It's not the touchdown! You have so much more joy ahead of you as you fulfill your purpose in life."

Lifeline Recovery Center is a Christ-centered recovery program for those dealing with life-controlling addictions. Started in 2004 in Paducah, Ky., the program has served more than 945 people since 2013 with a 63 percent success rate of sobriety after one year.

Each year, about 150 people benefit from the 12-step Celebrate Recovery program, structured lifestyle changes, Bible study, counseling, volunteer service at community organizations, job skills training and employment.

Lifeline is a nonprofit organization, depending on charitable donations for more than 75 percent of its budget. Most of the clients come from western Kentucky.

Fifty people are enrolled on the men's and women's campuses now. The next group will be accepted in January.