Bulls Legend Bob Love Motivates Teens on the Rebound

Gateway Foundation Alcohol and Drug Rehab Teen Patients Hear Hope

CHICAGO, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chicago Bulls legend, Bob Love, used his own battle of overcoming adversity to motivate teen boys recovering from substance abuse.  Love spoke at the Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab Chicago Westside residential and outpatient treatment center on February 26.

Addressing the group of 14- to 18-year-old boys, Love promoted the importance of persevering.  His own battle with stuttering served as the example of hitting bottom and struggling to come back out on top.  "It is important to believe you can succeed again. You can change your life," Love told them.

Coming from all over Chicago and the south suburbs, these young men are part of the male teen residential drug and alcohol substance abuse program run by the Gateway Foundation on Chicago's West Side.

Love's appearance was just one of many innovative strategies that Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab uses to help patients recover and achieve a life of sobriety.  Today's teens are exposed to more dangers with substance abuse than ever before.  Gateway exposes teens to positive lifestyle choices and leads them to "make a commitment to change."  Gateway's Westside Alcohol and Drug Rehab treatment programs empower these young men to make better decisions, learn coping skills and to take control of their lives.

"I enjoy speaking at places such as Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab because it gives me the opportunity to potentially change someone's life for the better," Love said. "I share my story to offer hope."

The life-changing story that he told the teens was a powerful one.  Bob "Butterbean" Love was a three-time NBA All-Star and Bulls record-setter when a back injury ended his career. He also suffered from a severe stuttering problem, which he tried very hard to hide from his fans.   After the injury, doctors told him he would have difficulty walking, let alone play the game he loved.  Without basketball, he could no longer hide his inability to speak; his life spiraled out of control.  Love ended up washing dishes in Seattle, but he refused to give up.  With the help of others, he overcame his speech problem and turned his life back around.  In 1992, Love rejoined the Chicago Bulls as Director of Community Affairs and became a motivational speaker.  He shares his story of fear and humiliation that spanned from his childhood through his NBA career to help others such as the recovering teens at Gateway.

One teen at the Gateway rehab center said Love did make an impact on him, "He inspires me to want to do better."

Hector Feliciano, Gateway Foundation's Youth Care Manager at the Chicago Westside location, agrees.  "Bob is a positive example to these young men of someone who has rebounded and overcome adversity. It gives these young men hope that they can do the same thing regarding their substance abuse."

At the end of the presentation, Love offered individual encouragement, signed autographs and posed for pictures.  Plans are underway for Love to return and spread his message to adults at the Gateway rehab center.

Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab has nine rehab centers located in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.  It is the largest provider of adult and teen substance abuse treatment in Illinois serving more than 29,000 individuals per year.  For more than 40 years, Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab's team of experts have helped adults and teens find the way out of the maze of substance abuse.

"Our programs are designed to help individuals achieve a life of sobriety and get their life back on track.  Gateway Foundation works with male and female adults and teens who are abusing or have become chemically dependent on alcohol or drugs, including those who may have a dual diagnosis with mental illness,"  Feliciano said.

Gateway Foundation works hand-in-hand with healthcare providers, local communities, schools, businesses and government agencies to respond to the ever-changing needs of people seeking drug rehab and alcohol treatment. It employs a staff of experts, including physicians, psychologists, nurses and certified substance abuse counselors.

Gateway Alcohol and Drug Rehab is licensed by the State of Illinois and accredited by The Joint Commission, the leading accrediting organization for hospitals and other healthcare organizations.

The Westside rehab center, located four miles from the Loop, offers an outpatient and residential campus that provides the following programs: Male Adult Residential and Outpatient Rehab and Alcohol Treatment, Co-ed Dual Diagnosis Residential and Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Male Teen (Ages 12-17) Residential and Outpatient drug and Alcohol Treatment.

SOURCE Gateway Foundation Alcohol and Drug Rehab