DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB), a public non-profit provider of mental health, developmental disabilities and addiction services, is hosting the Voices of Recovery: Together on Pathways to Wellness celebration in honor of National Recovery Month. The celebration is free and open to the public and will be held on September 26 from 6PM-8PM at the DeKalb Addiction Clinic in Decatur.
This special event will celebrate recovery, offer testimonials as well as applaud current advocacy efforts and offer opportunities to learn more about available community resources. In addition, addiction psychiatrist Dr. Carmen Martinez will give a talk on the latest treatments for substance abuse.
National Recovery Month (http://www.recoverymonth.gov) is a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. The theme of this year’s National Recovery Month event is “Pathways to Wellness”. Which, according to Theresa Schaffer, DeKalb CSB’s Director of Addictive Diseases, “emphasizes the reality that there are multiple resources in the community including pharmacological treatments, 12-step meetings and other self-help groups, and treatment programs, available to help those seeking recovery.”
Citing the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users, with heavy drinking making up for 6.2 percent of the population aged 12 or older. These figures remind us that addictive diseases affect millions of people and that there are many paths to recovery for those who want it. Schaffer highlights the goal of this event, stating, “We hope to offer inspiration to those seeking recovery that it is possible and that there are many paths to recovery.”
National Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for mental and substance use disorders; celebrates people in recovery; lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. National Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.
For questions regarding the event, contact info@dekcsb.org or 404.508.7875
