Hugo had a gambling addiction. When he realised that it was having an impact on his own own and his family’s peace of mind, he asked for help and was welcomed at Casa San Benito.
For a few months now, 19-year-old Hugo has been a guest at Casa San Benito, the facility of the LiberarSé – Rifugio della Speranza project which welcomes addicts who follow a post-recovery and social reintegration programme. Hugo’s problem was gambling: “I asked for this intervention myself,” said the boy, “my addiction was causing my parents so many problems that we had never-ending discussions about it at home”.
Hugo is a courageous young man, extraordinarily intelligent and with a great spirit of service. He is now following the rehabilitation programme to combat his addiction. At Casa San Benito he has learned how important spirituality is: “Here at the Refuge, between prayer and life which nourishes me and gives me joy, I have discovered that without God I can do very little” .
Hugo is involved in lots of different activities – from serving in the kitchen to gardening and looking after the rabbits. At parish meetings on Sundays he takes the microphone and shares his experience with the community.
“I really like San Benito – its spaces, but above all the people. They are the ones who give life to this place. We are few in number but we have a big heart and a great desire to improve. I want to thank all those who have made this space for recovery possible“. And looking ahead to the future, he would like nothing more than to put this reciprocity into practice: “I can’t wait to finish my journey and leave so as to give back with gratitude everything I have received here“.