LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The halls, walls and ceilings are full of fright at New Leaf Clinic. Paintings that shift faces, ghoulish portraits labeled with staff names and a fully-stuffed Jason Voorhees are welcome additions for Angie Lucas, one of the people in recovery there.
"Any time you can take a structured program and personalize it for the individual," she said. "It's always a big help because you feel like it's all about you."
Clients at the clinic have Cindy Mattingly to thank for it. Her son-in-law provided the overalls for the stuffed Voorhees who sits at the end of a long hallway. Sitting next to him, Mattingly laughed and talked about the time it took to set up.
"I started around the first week of September. I'm not completely done yet. But, it takes about 20 minutes to take it all down. Month-and-a-half to put it up."
It's all in preparation of October 31, the day they encourage clients to show up in costume and be someone else for a day. The staff cooks chili and lets the costumed clientele decide whose is best.
Mattingly used to be one of those judges. Five years ago, she started her recovery journey, but took a job at New Leaf to provide care for others who struggle like her.
"This feels like home," she said, talking about all the severed heads and hands. "When I started out, that's something that I needed because I didn't trust anybody."
That trust is an integral part of the program here, one built on sharing experiences, holidays and celebrations.
In a group session, Lucas clapped for an alcoholic who shared his experience running from the law. So did another person in recovery who only wanted to be identified as 'O.'
"The speakers, the people that talk to me every day, getting a new sponsor, just being a man. I don't know. There's something about this program that's different that I really like," he said. All the help is bringing him closer to his family after the month he's spent there.
New Leaf wants anyone else who needs help to know—the scariest part is doing it alone.
There are resources available from the state of Kentucky for individuals and families who need help managing substance abuse. If you need it, you can call 1-833-8KY-HELP (1-833-859-4357) or text HOPE to 96714.
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