Restore alcoholic posts tictok to find woman who saved her life (exclusively)

• Richard, who passes by @Theoldlawstudent at Tiktok, was an alcoholic who had tried to become sober several times
• Everything changed for Florida natives, now 41, five years ago. One night he picked up his phone and called the American addiction centers, and a young woman named Katelyn Vargo replied
• Two days later, February 23, 2020, Richard’s first day of sobriety marked
• On Sunday February 23, 2025, Richard celebrated five years sober. He published a video on Tiktok in the hope of finding Vargo and thanking her

Richard, walking past @Theoldlawstudent At Tiktok, an alcoholic was at the end. He dies, consumed by the physical pain caused by his drink and could not work without alcohol in his system, he says.

“I was all you think about when you think of the worst type of alcoholic, and I knew I would not survive much anymore,” says Richard exclusively.

But everything changed for Florida natives, now 41, five years ago. One night he picked up his phone and rang American addiction centerswhere a young woman named Katelyn Vargo replied. Although Richard cannot remember anything from their conversation, his wife later informed him that, thanks to Vargo’s guidance, he had booked a flight to Memphis to go to a treatment center in Mississippi.

The next day, however, Richard immediately decided to go. He found Vargo’s contact information on his phone from the previous night, called her and told her to cancel her place, convinced that he could become sober on his own.

“This part I remember: Katelyn said,” Good luck with it, let me know how it goes, “he reminds.” I looked at my wife and asked her if she thought I could possibly be sober at home. She looked at me and said … Yes, I can’t repeat what she said here. But it wasn’t enthusiastic. ”

“She had undergone this many times before at this time and knew my tendency to check out treatment centers, check out some later and disappear in the bars in which city I was in,” he adds.

He decided by Vargo’s words to go. His wife threw clothes in a bag, and he started drinking – because that’s the only way he could get to the airport without panic attack. His wife drove him to the airport, where he disappeared and drank himself to Memphis. For some unknown reason, no one was waiting for him when he arrived. He continued to drink in Memphis until someone at some point someone ordered him a ride to Mississippi. He has no recovery about that trip or how he came to his destination.

The next morning, February 23, 2020, Richard’s first day marked by sobriety. He remembers that he wanted to leave the treatment center immediately, but Vargo had placed him in such a remote place that he had no choice but to stop.

“I was used to people asked me to become sober, judges ordered me to, people who demanded it,” he says. “But I wasn’t used to people just going,” Well, do what you want. “I think it made me realize that no one would continue to save me anymore, including my wife, and I had to take one last shot on this sobriety.”

Never miss a story – register for People’s free daily newsletters Keeping up to date on the best of what people have to offer, from celebrity news to compelling stories of human interest.

Flash forward to the present: On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Richard celebrated five years sober. During that time he received a bachelor’s degree, took Lsat, went to the law school, got his JD and just a few weeks ago took the bar test.

In addition, he took up cycling and has traveled NYC’s five Boro bike ride three times, cycled Pacific Coast Highway and logged more than 12,000 miles. The most important thing is that he has cooked many relationships (although some were not sized) and becomes a much better husband and family member. In the past, he admits, he was incomprehensible – even for himself.

Recently, Richard was at the airport aboard a flight when it struck him that he had been in the same place on the flight for rehabilitation almost exactly five years to day.

He had always wanted to thank Vargo and had tried to reach her on her American addiction center number, but was told that she was no longer working there. After thinking about it, he knew that Tiktok could help him find people quickly, so he thought it would be worth a try.

“If someone knows her please forward this,” he formed a Tiktok video by itself thank Vargo. To his surprise, the video went viral and collected more than 5 million views and 3,500 comments from users trying to connect him to Vargo.

Among those who commented was Vargo’s mother. She wrote: “Katelyn is my daughter. I have never been more proud of her! Thank you for tracking her. You have no idea how much she needs this boost right now! You just have no idea! Thank you!”

Eventually he contacted her. For starters, Vargo tells people that she was caught by the whole situation and did not remember him. But when Richard reminded her of some unique things about him, she remembered, and they started talking as old friends.

“I didn’t think it was me,” Vargo says exclusively. “He spelled my name wrong and at first it was just too big to be me. But it was also American addiction centers, and there were no other Katellens who worked the Jacksonville area for AAC, so I just remember that I was in complete shock. I really look at this video right now? What does it mean?

“When we first join, it was on Facebook and I didn’t even know there was a tictoch, but there was an immediate feeling of relief,” she adds. “I worked so hard on AAC to help people and help people get help, and when people extend it reminds me that it wasn’t too nothing. Rich is probably the third person I know I helped get treatment that is still sober today, and it makes all work worth it. It really was something I wanted to say to him other than.” ”

After the re -connection, Richard learned that Vargo has been struggling with an unknown illness for almost nine months, which has left her unable to work or pay her bills. Days after they changed messages, she received a 24-hour draft message. In addition, her daughter had recently tried to take her own life. Life had just been overwhelming to her.

“I was in a truly hopeless situation and looking at what happened right in the bang of time,” she says. “The lonely should inspire so many people. There are so many hopeless people out there who are currently struggling financially and with providing their families. So if something similar can happen to me it can happen to them too.”

While the newfound friends have not had a chance to meet in person yet, Richard Folk says that they plan to meet when he is back from some upcoming trips. He says that the American addiction centers have expressed interest in facilitating their meeting as well.

There is also some hope that Vargo may be able to participate in Richard’s swear ceremony in April, which would really give the story full circle for him.

“You don’t have to do it anymore,” he adds addiction. “Seems so simple, but I really couldn’t understand that I had a choice on the issue. I am not saying that addiction is a choice, because it is not, but there are choices available to us as an addict, and one of them is to pick up the phone and call help.”

“While I have my quarrels with the rehabilitation world, especially the enormous profit -making nature, there are so many people at the other end of these telephone lines just waiting to save people’s lives, and the only thing that prevents it is ourselves,” he adds. “Call the call … Your Katelyn may be at the other end of the line.”

If you or someone you know struggles with abuse, please contact Samsa Helpline at 1-800-662-Help.