South Bend man raises awareness on lack of after-rehab treatment available to recovering addicts

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —- A recovering addict’s Facebook post is highlighting the lack of treatment after rehab in South Bend. 

The man asked ABC 57 News to remain anonymous. He said he after a work accident he experienced a neck injury which started his addiction to painkillers. 

He said when the time came to get clean there was no help in the area. 

“The opportunities for treatment here are nonexistent,” he said. 

According to a report, Michigan and Indiana are among the top 20 deadliest states for drug overdoses. In South Bend, the fight to end the opioid epidemic is ongoing. 

“The need is here and we’re not going to leave because somebody says not here,” said Alicia Brown, a representative for Choices Recovery. 

South Bend-based Choices Recovery is in the process of tracking down a new location for a second sober living facility. The South Bend Common Council did not vote to approve a zoning change at a proposed location minutes away from its main facility. 

On Monday, Oxford House, a sober living housing provider, is set to open a sober living home on Council Oaks Drive. The city’s legal team is set to draft a letter to the Oxford House requesting they follow local protocol. 

“Would I prefer a sober living facility that’s attaches to a facility like the choices one, yes,” said the South Bend man. 

He said he sent out the post on Saturday because people should know what’s in the community, before they say ‘not in my backyard.’

“It’s a blue collar town they’re afraid of what’s coming they don’t know what’s already in their community,” he said. “This community is filled with drugs and we need to stop what’s already here.”