Catholic Charities' agency helps troubled to recover

Joe was in handcuffs when a sheriff's deputy brought him to Fulton County's Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser (MICA) residence, operated by Catholic Charities.

The 20-year-old had a history of fighting and a criminal background. He had abused drugs and alcohol, and suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and major depression.

"He was heavy into drinking and drugging," said Gene Twardzik, director of the MICA program.

Making a difference

But once at the MICA residence, Joe learned how to manage his mental illness and control his substance abuse problem.

"He wanted to be a chef," Mr. Twardzik said. "After a year here, he decided he could handle the stress of school. He went to Fulton Montgomery Community College and got A's in the Nutrition Management program. He cooked great meals while he was here."

Now Joe has a job at a reputable area restaurant. While that is a success story, the program defines success differently for each resident.

"Success can also be moving to another program or an apartment," the director said.

Model program

When Catholic Charities of Fulton County opened MICA in 1991, it was only the second such residence in the state, said John Nasso, executive director of Catholic Charities of Fulton County. "One of our goals was to be a model," he said.

That goal is now a reality, with calls coming from other agencies asking for help in meeting the needs of this unique population.

"When we first started, even people in the field hadn't heard of the term 'MICA,'" said Mr. Nasso. "People thought we were nuts for wanting to do this."

Treating two problems

While there are residential programs to help those who are mentally ill and other programs for those with substance abuse problems, there was virtually nothing offered for people struggling with both problems. In fact, many programs denied that such a need existed. Since those programs did not allow residents to use substances, staffs there believed the residents weren't continuing to use.

But Catholic Charities of Fulton County was tipped off to the need for a specialized MICA program when some residents in the agency's mental health community residence continued to use substances even though the house rules prohibited it.

It is common, Mr. Nasso explained, for those suffering from schizophrenia or major depression to "self-medicate" by using alcohol or other substances. Many report that alcohol or drugs helps quiet the voices they hear.

Structured program

There is structure for the residents in MICA, who typically move into the house after being discharged from the hospital. During the day, they are in some form of program, ranging from treatment to vocational training. The residents take turns preparing dinner, which is eaten as a group in the dining room of the large home that dates back to the 1870s.

In the evening, residents participate in a variety of group therapy sessions, which include substance abuse recovery, developing self-esteem and improving communication skills.

Residents also work with the staff, which is on duty 24-hours a day, on developing living skills. For example, they learn to maintain personal hygiene, manage their medication, use public transportation and go grocery shopping.

Successful effort

The average stay for residents, according to Mr. Twardzik, is nine months to a year.

"Those who stay longer have more success," he said. "After six months, things are just starting to get clear and they're learning to live in a healthy way. They need the time to develop and practice skills."

More than 90 percent of the residents are survivors of sexual abuse, Mr. Twardzik said. They also don't have a support system, like family or friends, that can help them.

Hidden problems

The Fulton County area is economically depressed, Mr. Nasso said, with an unemployment rate that is twice the state average. As a result, poverty is a big problem that causes other problems.

"We see cycles of family problems all tied to the economy," he said. "We see alcohol and chemical abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. They all feed on each other."

While Fulton County is picturesque with its rolling hills, cows grazing in green pastures and the Mohawk River winding through the landscape, the difficulties its residents face are similar to those faced by people who live in cities.

While rural counties tend to be a few years behind in fashion and the types of drugs being used, the problems eventually come. The agency sees people addicted to everything from alcohol and marijuana to crack cocaine.

Acceptance

Usually, the rural atmosphere does not prevent people from getting the services they need.

"It's a small town, so people know what's going on," explained Mr. Nasso, "but there's not a stigma for getting family counseling. The barriers on alcohol and substance abuse are also coming down."

The one population served by the agency that does face misunderstanding are those who are mentally ill. "There still is a stigma," said Mr. Nasso. "There are misconceptions about the mentally ill and their needs."

"They're fine human beings," Mr. Twardzik said of those with mental illness. "Too often, we overlook them. They have an illness, a true illness. With the proper medication and an understanding of the illness, they can have successful lives."

(The MICA residence and mental health community residence are one of six programs offered by Catholic Charities of Fulton County. It also operates the Room to Grow Day Care Center, a substance abuse program, a youth outreach counseling program in six school districts, family and marital therapy, and a youth at risk program. For more information, call 762-8313.)

(10-09-97)