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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingA substance abuse treatment program in Salt Lake says it's the first in the state to debut a residential rehab program for fathers and their kids. The Odyssey House says it's meeting an important need. The program helps combat addiction and teach parenting skills at the same time.
Travis Szarek loves being a dad, but it's something he wasn't good at until recently.
Travis Szarek: "I didn't want to face my kids the way I was, so that's why I avoided them."
David Stokes will tell you the same thing.
David Stokes: "I thought I was being a good parent, but I was just never there for him."
The reason behind their absenteeism? Both dads were addicted to drugs.
David Stokes: "I came in for meth. I'm a meth addict. I've been on meth for the last two years."
Travis Szarek, Recovering Drug Addict: "I first had a problem with marijuana, and it gradually led into the crystal meth."
By choice or court order, both men ended up at the Odyssey House, a treatment facility with a new residential rehab program for fathers and their kids.
Glen Lambert, Odyssey House Executive Director: "There's less resistance because they get to bring their children with them and work on something that's important to them, being a better parent."
In addition to parenting classes, the fathers here also take vocational training where they learn work skills like reupholstering furniture. And they participate in group therapy.
The dads say they love the total approach to recovery, which includes therapeutic services for the kids, since children of addicts often suffer emotionally or physically.
Kate Tolsma, Odyssey House Children's Services Director: "We see real anxious babies and toddlers who have a hard time calming down."
Glen Lambert, Odyssey House: "They come often developmentally behind, so what this does is help them catch up."
For the fathers, being with their kids is invaluable.
Travis: "I get to see him grow up. I get to see him through these stages. Like, my other two children, I didn't get to see this part."
David: "This has really humbled me and made me realize what's really important, and that's this little guy right here."
The men say relationships like these will help them stay clean when they leave. The Odyssey House started this program in the Fall; the fathers stay an average of 10 months.
