Salvos help lift men off rock bottom
When the grip of alcohol addiction took hold, Richard had lost everything.
The 48-year-old, who does not want his surname used, had nowhere to live after 12 months of heavy drinking.
After working in the mining industry for 15 years, Richard walked away from his job to focus on himself.
Instead he spent his days drowning his sorrows, falling into a destructive pattern of alcohol abuse.
He said his lowest point was realising the impact his alcohol abuse had on close friends and family.
"I wanted to get into a state of numbness where nothing bothered me," Richard said.
"I hit rock bottom and with the help of my sister and my friends I found the (Salvation Army) Bridge Program."
Richard is one of more than 350 men who have come through the Salvation Army's Beacon homeless facility in Northbridge in the past year.
The Beacon opened early last year and replaced the Salvation Army's homeless shelter at the same site.
Salvation Army crisis services general manager Stephen Robinson said many homeless people battled addiction.
"Our focus is on making a positive change in people's lives," he said.
"If people aren't prepared to do that, they won't be here long."
Salvation Army's Red Shield Business Appeal is encouraging community-minded businesses to donate to the charity.
Information at salvationarmy.org.au
