Personal battle and steep costs of recovery led Georgia couple to create a faith-centered, free treatment option
A Georgia couple's personal battle with addiction led to a free treatment program that draws people from around the country and counts thousands of men among its success stories.
New Beginnings in Christ (NBIC), a men's drug and alcohol addiction recovery home in Garfield, GA, founded by Donald and JoAnna Atkinson, saves participants tens of thousands of dollars.
Donald battled alcoholism for 26 years before entering a recovery treatment center in 1994. It cost them $30,000 and was not covered by insurance. Donald had liver damage and a severe addiction but because he entered the program willingly and without a court mandate, the family had to pay the heavy cost alone.
"When Donald returned home from treatment, he made two commitments — to trust in God and to help others," says JoAnna, who continues to serve the ministry to honor her husband, who died in 2021. "During 27 years of sobriety, he made good on both promises."
After his own recovery, Donald attended multiple Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings a week, always picking up other men who were willing to go with him. In 2005, Donald and JoAnna decided it was their calling from God to open NBIC recovery home. Since that time, NBIC has served more than 4,000 men from Georgia and across the country through its Christ-centered and Alcoholics Anonymous-based program. Men stay for at least four months and are welcome to stay longer.
NBIC now houses more than 84 men at a time. Each man follows a strict schedule including attending church services, AA meetings and working on the property. There is a woodworking shop where the men learn the intricacies of their craft by building chicken coops, crosses, and furniture. Product sales help support the ministry.
"NBIC was Donald's vision, built out of his love for sobriety and people. He cared about the addict. He understood what they were going through," said JoAnna. "If you get a man sober and teach him to live a purpose-driven life, it helps not only him but his family and community too."
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About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.