Homeless Iraq veteran choice "Seek treatment for substance abuse or die"

Veteran turns life around with help from United Way program
Marietta Daily Journal
by Nikki Wiley
January 02, 2014

"80 percent are eligible for Veterans Affairs Services"

Two years ago, while living under a bridge in Cobb County, Rick Twist knew he had to make a life or death choice: Seek treatment for substance abuse or die.

The decorated veteran of the Iraq War found himself at rock bottom, homeless and suffering from alcohol and crack cocaine addictions.

Twist served for nine months in Baghdad, Iraq, in the U.S. Army. He was discharged after failing a urine test and was not eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I just could not fathom living like that for another year much less another 20 or 40 years,” Twist said.

“I had to ask myself, ‘Do I want to live or do I want to die?’”

That’s when Twist found himself at The Extension on Church Street in Marietta, looking for help.

It’s a United Way state-licensed residential treatment center that provides counseling, therapy and job training to formerly homeless Cobb residents suffering from substance abuse.

The Extension’s program for men has 47 beds. The woman’s program has 20 beds. Residents attend job-training classes, and counseling and work full-time jobs in the community.

Twist credits the program with saving his life and says he knew it was the place for his recovery as soon as he walked through the door.

“After about five minutes of me explaining my story to (the director), he said, ‘Stand up’ and came over and hugged me and said, ‘Welcome home.’”
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