A few days ago, I received a surprise call from Lionel Basso of Independence, Louisiana. He said that he was reading an article I wrote about him in 2005 and wanted to know if I was still alive. I remember him very well.

In December 2004, I recommended a nephew of his from LaPlace to seek treatment at FTC (Fountainbleau Treatment Center) in Mandeville, which he did.

After speaking there one Saturday night, his nephew asked me if I would call his uncle who had a serious drinking problem. The next day I called him, who happened to be Lionel, and woke him up. I told him why I called and asked if he needed help. He was angry, told me a few ugly words, and hung up.

That rejection aggravated me the whole week until I called him again the next weekend. He answered and we had a good conversation. He asked me how I could help him.

I gave him the telephone number of a social detox place in Bogalusa called SASAC (Seven Acres Substance Abuse Center). He called and went to SASAC for seven days.

After his stay there, it was suggested he go to FTC for 28 days. He did and completed the program. He stayed in touch with me for a few years and was excited about his new life being sober.

His call excited me, because when dealing with people addicted to drugs, the success rate is very low.

Before we hung up, he read the article I had written in 2005.

I have his permission to use his name in this article.

The nephew who told me about his uncle’s problem never did find freedom from his addiction, but the miracle is – Lionel did.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.