Beto, a father of four and grandfather of eight, has been fighting his alcohol addiction for years. “I found myself drowning in it,” he said.

Beto was an assembly worker in the auto industry for 31 years. His drinking started early on. “When we first started, that’s what we did—we drank,” he said. “We went out for lunch, had a beer, then had a second one. It was habit forming. I didn’t realize it was creating an addiction over the years. When I was in my 30s, I started realizing that I had to have a beer. It was a must.”

Beto got married when he was 23. It lasted 10 years. “I wasn’t paying attention to my wife,” he said. “We sought counseling through the church, but I guess I wasn’t really a devoted Christian or a husband. I didn’t open my eyes until it was too late. I lost my marriage, and it was difficult and I struggled. I found myself drinking more and more.”

Beto had a son from an early relationship, and three more with his wife. “I don’t sit back and have too many regrets,” Beto said. “But I do regret not spending more time with my kids. I was always the kind of guy that gave my kids everything they wanted, except for the love that they needed growing up. I didn’t discover that until I lost them.”

Beto left the auto industry about seven years ago. For a couple years, he cared for his ailing father, a recovering alcoholic, who, when at 56 he had a heart attack, quit drinking cold turkey. Beto’s dad lived for another 30 years before passing last year. “After that, I stopped going to church for a while and the drinking got worse,” he said.

“I’ve been to something like five rehabs in the last (several) years. I realized I was just going to sober up. I’d get out and be back at it a couple days later. And you find yourself hitting it a lot harder. This program is doing a lot for me personally, spiritually and with my relationship with my family. They are very supportive and really want me here.”

One of Beto’s sons has offered him a job at his company after he graduates. “I’ve been given a second chance, and I’m taking advantage of it,” Beto said. “I have everything going for me right now. I’m in a good place, I’m in a good home, I’m worshipping Jesus. We go out on outreaches and we help out the needy with food. I attend church on Sundays, but with a different love. I go with my bible and participate. With God’s will, I’m going to follow his path.”

“I want my sobriety and I want my relationship with Jesus,” added Beto, breaking down in tears. “It’s so important to me this time because I believe. I’ve had so many chances. And this is probably my last chance. If I don’t make something of it, I’m not going to live long enough to see my grandkids go through their early years of life. I love them so much.”