Pubdate: Thu, 05 Nov 2009
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Page: A11
Author: Lora Grindlay

'I FELT AS THOUGH I HAD BEEN DISCOVERED'

Fred Catania (left) has done what he calls the "30-day spin cycle" of 
treatment programs many times, but the monthlong residential 
treatment programs for addiction never led to long-term sobriety.

It wasn't until he arrived at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health 
and Addiction in October 2008 that he felt like he had a home base, 
that he belonged.

"I felt as though I had been discovered. When you are out there with 
your addiction and you are living on the streets, you feel as though 
nobody really knows you, and it's true," said the 45-year-old. "Here 
. . . it's more long-term. You slowly start letting people back into 
your life."

The consistent relationship with doctors has also made possible some 
"really vital discoveries" for Catania, one of which may save his 
life. He has learned he has an immuno-deficiency disorder.

"Had I . . . continued to use [drugs], it probably would have 
continued getting worse without me even realizing," he said. "When 
you are actively using cocaine . . . you don't really start feeling 
these things until you go through the initial detox stage."

Catania knows he has survived a lot of hurdles. From university, a 
career, marriage and a son to drugs, mental illness, homelessness and 
time in a federal jail, Catania is no longer at his "bottom" where 
"you have no options left."

Now his depression is more predictable and more stable.

"I can feel it coming on and I can take responsibility for it," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart