Families in Recovery

This time around, Keith Ware says he’s going to stay sober.

The 57-year-old is a resident and recovery coordinator at Exodus Homes on Eighth Avenue Drive, SW, a transitional housing program for recovering addicts. Ware came to Exodus Homes three years ago to get sober. It wasn’t his first time kicking the addiction.

Ware grew up in Kings Mountain, near Charlotte. His mother died when he was born. Ware says his father did the best he could, but suffered with alcoholism all his life. Ware describes his dad as a functioning alcoholic. He worked during the day, but was drunk every night, Ware says. Ware had one sister, but she did not have any problems with addiction, Ware says.

Ware’s father’s condition brought turmoil to his family, but it also would become a genetic catalyst for Ware’s alcoholism. The first time Ware got drunk was at age 12, he said. He drank often throughout his school years and the addiction continued during Ware’s 12-year stint in the military.

“I was a Vietnam-era soldier,” Ware said. “Alcohol and marijuana use was very prevalent especially overseas. That’s what you did. You went downtown and drank and partied.”

During his time in the military, Ware was in Korea three times and Japan and Germany once. When he left the military, Ware said he decided to get sober. He did for a while.

Ware attended Lenoir-Rhyne College and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1994. He became a substance abuse counselor in Hickory. Ware said he became obsessed with money and material things such as a nice house and car. He took on two other jobs and started drinking again.

In less than a year, Ware had hit rock bottom. He lost his jobs, his house and his wife.

“It really took me down this time,” Ware said. “I lost everything and in such a short time. It really took me down fast.”

Once Ware had hit the bottom, he said he was left with a choice: Do something about his addiction or die in a ditch.

“I didn’t want to do that,” Ware says. “I felt I had too much to live for, too much to offer.”

Because of his alcoholism and suicidal thoughts, Ware spent some time at Catawba Valley Medical Center about four years ago. It was there he learned about Exodus Homes. Ware says at first he was apprehensive about the idea, but decided he needed to do something.

Ware did not relapse at Exodus Homes. He hasn’t had a drink in more than three years, nor does he desire one. Ware says Exodus Homes provided him a safe and stable environment.

It wasn’t seven months into his stay that Ware started getting involved professionally with the nonprofit. Because of his personal experiences and background as a counselor, Ware said he was asked to be a recovery coordinator. As the recovery coordinator, Ware organizes and leads meetings and classes. Ware also partnered in creating the Crisis Stabilization Program, which helps new Exodus residents adjust to recovery.

“Keith is a key staff member as our recovery coordinator, and one of two facilitators in our Crisis Stabilization Program,” said Susan Smith, Exodus Homes assistant executive director. “It has been a joy to watch him come back to life, and his laid-back personality helps mellow what can be a pretty intense environment at Exodus Homes. We love Keith and are extremely proud of his accomplishments.”

Ware says Exodus Homes has changed his life. When he first arrived, he said he had no self-esteem and was estranged from his family. Exodus Homes gave him a place to start. He now speaks with his two daughters quite often and has been accepted to graduate school at Appalachian State University to get his license in professional counseling certification.

Ware says he plans to stay at Exodus.

“I enjoy working here. I enjoy the residents. You get really close to them,” Ware says. “Unfortunately, not everyone recovers, but when those people that the lights go on and they understand what they are doing to themselves, doing to their family and become a productive citizen again, that really makes my job rewarding.”