Ex-addict thanks rehab worker who answered his desperate call for help 5 years ago — it changed his life

Sometimes, a brief encounter with someone can profoundly impact your life, and in those moments, you may feel the need to thank them for their help. Similarly, a man named Rich—who goes by @becomingsandycohen on TikTok—got that chance and more when he tried to contact a rehabilitation worker who helped him reach sobriety. He wanted to share an update about his life and thank her for helping him. However, when he learned about her situation in life, he wanted to do more for her, according to a series of videos he posted on the platform.

"To Katelyn from Florida, who used to work at American Addiction Center and answered my desperate drunken call 5 years ago," Rich wrote in his video's overlay text. "I am still alive and sober. Also, I got a degree, went to law school, and just took the bar. All because of that phone call." He added, "I don't really remember it, but I'll never forget it. Thank you."

Rich requested in the caption, "If anyone knows her, please forward this along." His video garnered nearly 5 million views. Surprisingly, many people in the comment section helped find the woman or knew her. It turned out that the video found Katelyn in a moment she needed it the most.

Her mom, @sandy.vargo, wrote, "Katelyn is my daughter. I have never been more proud of her! Thank you for tracking her down. You have no idea how much she needs this boost of praise right now! You just have no idea! Thank you!" @amydaliz commented, "Wow! First of all, I am so proud of you! Katelyn is one of my good friends and she needed this moment and I can’t thank you enough for listening to God and posting this. I am at a loss for words!" @mar.20177 remarked, "I'll never forget the lady who answered my call 10 years ago, right before I was going to commit s******. She saved my life. I'm doing so great now with my 8-year-old daughter. Director of nursing now. Life is great."

In another update, Rich shared that he was thankful that he could find Katelyn and thank her because of all the people who shared his previous video. However, he had hoped that they would be able to exchange good stories with each other after the 5 years that went by. But unfortunately, that was not the case for Katelyn. "It seems like she has been having a pretty hard time over these last few years because of illnesses and housing," he said. The man encouraged people to go check on her and help her if they felt inclined to do so. "She's a person that deserves to be helped much more so than I ever did," he added. Rich shared her Cash App (@Katelynvargo) and her GoFundMe campaign.

Rich also shared Katelyn's response to the video after he found her. She posted a video from her TikTok (@kdiggs1204). "I got a 20 dollar cash app from a name I felt I've never seen before and a note that said go check your Facebook messages." She found Rich and learned about the video he had made later on. "That alone would have given me life, so much life," she added. Katelyn thanked everyone who had helped her and "saved" her life.

You can follow Rich (@becomingsandycohen) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
You can follow Katelyn Vargo (@kdiggs1204) on TikTok for more updates on her life.