Kyle Catlin recently reached a big milestone in his sobriety journey. He can now say he’s one year sober.
“Thankfully for me I have not had any relapses, so I’ve just been keeping my eyes focused on my prize which is to be home with my kids every night,” said Catlin.
Finding Support at Avera Addiction Care Center
His journey started back in January of 2025 when he first came to the Avera Addiction Care Center. He had been struggling with alcohol for about 13 years.
“I did four years of active duty military so all we did on the weekends was party and drinking and it just picked up from there,” said Catlin. “I decided having two young kids, not getting a chance to see them grow, that would be a heartbreak for me. I was getting to that breaking point, after one of my best friends died of alcohol poisoning, like a month after that happened, I called.”
Therapy Options for Patients
“When he arrived he started in a medical stabilization area for any sort of detox related issues and then from there once he was stabilized, he began attending group and individual therapy,” said Addiction Services Manager, Alyssa Dahl.
Through the group and individual therapy, he found the tools he needed to take a step in the right direction.
“We have groups that are based more on substance abuse, abuse of certain substances or the neurobiology of addiction things like that, as well as more mental health related topics, like learning about how anxiety or depression might present. We have what I like to call general life skills groups so just learning, how to do a budget or learn how to set boundaries with loved ones, how to identify triggers and coping skills, things like that,” said Dahl.
Finishing the Program
Then in February, he was able to take what he learned and use that in his daily life. As a husband and dad, it was important to him that he make changes for his family.
“I am grateful that I was able to get the help that I need,” said Catlin.
Soon he reached six months, nine months, and just over a month ago, one-year of sobriety. He carries his one year coin in his pocket every day.
"Doesn’t matter what type of pants I’m wearing, I always have it in my pocket, so whenever I’m digging out change, I see that coin, and I want to get my next coin which will be my 18-month coin, then two years, then three, four,” said Catlin.
“The first year of recovery is often the hardest and that is when we really encourage clinical connection as well as recovery community connection,” said Dahl. “It sounds like Kyle has really found his momentum in recovery community groups and staying engaged in those, making connections in that avenue of his individualized treatment plan.”
His story is another example of how reaching out for support can pave the way to recovery.
Kyle was also a recipient of an Emily’s Hope scholarship. Learn more about addiction and recovery resources at Avera.
