Local man in recovery says residential treatment program helped save his life

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – If you are struggling with addiction, those who have overcome want you to know there is hope and help your long-term recovery.

With more than 108,000 overdose deaths in the last year, those who survived the struggle with addiction this part year are grateful they have lived to talk about it.

“I got to a point in life where I no longer cared if I lived or died,” said James Souders, who struggled with addiction.

After more than a decade, Souders – who goes by Eric – says he is lucky to be alive.

“I used so much drugs, I overdosed and my family found me on the bathroom floor, and from the time I overdosed to the time I took a breath was 45 minutes,” said Souders.

He is now sober, he says, thanks to a faith-based national residential recovery program for students. It is called the Cincinnati Challenge Ranch. It was formerly known as Teen Challenge.

“So, it’s living with these students,” said Marty Martin with the Cincinnati Challenge Ranch. “It’s doing everything from doing dishes to exercising together, to working in the garden besides the education component. Besides the discipling component because some of your best conversation are while you are doing dishes.”

George and Marty Martin, who run the program, say the record overdoses this year show those struggling with addiction do not feel their lives have value. Without it, they cannot heal.

“Only through healing is recovery,” said George Martin with the Cincinnati Challenge Ranch.

For Eric, that has now been restored.

“I have a drive, a desire, a will to live, it’s my story to try to help others to do the same,” said Souders.

This nationwide program one of many now with no wait list if you need help.

If you want to learn about the Cincinnati Challenge program, click here. It has separate residential ranches for both men and women.