On September 26, 2007, the Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition presented a Faces and Voices of Recovery to inform the residents of Monroe County Michigan that addiction is a treatable disease of the brain. MCSAC presented a twenty minute excerpt from the HBO documentary series "Addiction" followed by a panel presentation and a question and answer session with the audience.

 

Approximately 50 residents from Monroe county attended the forum held at Monroe County Community College’s La-Z-Boy Center.

 

The evening began with a 20 minute excerpt from the HBO documentary series “Addiction.”

 

After the screening, moderator John Basile introduced the panel speakers.

 

Dr. Gregory Haines, Addiction Specialist, himself in long-term recovery, explained how addiction is a disease brought on initially by deciding to consume alcohol or drugs, but then becomes a physical problems that needs medical attention. During the evening, the development of addiction in a person was compared to other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. These diseases are similar to addiction in that the person who suffers from these diseases may make initial bad choices in life by consuming food that brings on their chronic disease. The person who suffers from addiction chooses drug and alcohol (not food) that brings on their disease. Unlike other chronic illnesses, addiction is viewed by society as a choice that the person makes, and therefore, they are to blame for their physical problems. The point of this evening is to break that misconception and remove the stigma of addiction.

 

The panel (from left to right) Dr. Gregory Haines, Addiction Specialist; Student and Juvenile Drug Court Graduate, Melissa Hartley; Darrell Cousino and David Westfall, both from Racing for Recovery; State Trooper Jim Jarrett; and treatment provider Paula Whitman.

 

Darrell Cousino and David Westfall, from Racing for Recovery spoke about their own experiences battling addiction, how it has affected their families and how Race for Recovery has helped them. They presented a short film, "From Addict to Ironman", about the program’s founder, Todd Crandell, who found being involved in sports helped him gain and maintain sobriety. Visit their web site.

 

 

 

 

After the presentation, the audience members asked questions.

 

Paula Whitman answers a question about finding help in Monroe County.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to spend an evening learning more about addiction and what needs to be done to help individuals who suffer from this disease.