ROBERTSDALE - Addiction to drugs and alcohol  is like being caught in a bear trap. No matter how hard you struggle to free yourself, there is going to be pain and loss before you are free.

But, Saving Grace Home for Women on U.S. Highway 90 near Elsanor Elementary School, offers another way. There will still be pain, but the addict won’t be going through it alone.

“We’re a 12-step Christian recovery center,” explained Kristin Webb, the home’s executive director. She added that the program “is interdenominational.”

The facility was known as “Home of Grace,” but the home’s board of directors recently voted to change the facility’s name and to work toward state certification. Volunteers have been working to refurbish the home, which can house 12 women.

And if Webb has her way, there will be another building on the 27-acre site.

“We can help 12 women at one time, but we have a Fairhope home that was donated to us,” said Webb.

The only problem - Webb believes it will cost $20,000 simply to move the home to the site.

The new home would allow more women to be treated and the donation is more than welcome, she said.

Right now Webb and her staff are concentrating on refurbishing the existing home and dealing with the 2,000 pages of rules Webb says must be complied with for state certification.

“It takes two to three years (to be certified),” she said.

Webb, a former “military brat,” has lived all over the world, and calls Charleston, S.C. home. She currently lives with her husband in Silverhill.

She said she learned the value of public service early.

“That was instilled in me at a very young age, the importance of giving back and helping the less fortunate,” she said.

Before coming to Saving Grace, Webb was the director of special events for a charitable group, working from Mobile.

The problem of addiction is a large one. While Webb says that statistics are hard to come by, she does know that in 2003, about 20,000 people were charged with a substance abuse crime in Alabama. Of those people, a little more than 2,000 live in Baldwin County.

“I believe (statistics say) that one in four Americans are touched by addiction,” said Webb.

“We have 18 women in our aftercare program now, and not one has relapsed,” said Lynn Pepper, a Saving Grace Home board member.

Webb reminded her that some women in earlier classes had relapsed.

“The women create a relapse prevention program while they are here,” said Pepper. They are the most courageous women I know.”

While involved in the 12-week program, the women receive counseling  and Webb says they have, “Therapeutic Activity Community Therapy   this is where one takes care of self and the surrounding area (i.e. chores)   this helps to develop pride and respect towards self.”

There’s plenty for the women to take care of on the property. There are two ponds, a barn and lots and lots of work that needs doing in the home.

According to the home’s Web site, “All clients participate in devotionals and bible studies, as well as individual and group counseling. Classes are taught at various times, including anger management, co-dependency, coping skills and other similar classes designed to provide the women new and better ways to deal with life issues rather than drinking or drug use. Saving Grace for Women also uses the 12-Step Program with a decidedly Christian perspective.”

There’s practical help as well - Webb says all women are offered the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class and classes in how to write resumes and look for work are offered.

“We are looking for volunteers,” said Webb. “People can teach a class.” She added that volunteers will not be called on to teach Bible or therapeutic classes.

To volunteer, call 946-3355.