Recovery Is Here drew dozens of Lawson State students, faculty, and staff members for a talk on ways to address myths surrounding addiction and recovery, as well as enduring stigmas that discourage people from getting the help they need.
Dozens of health professions and social science students heard from John Bayles, Program Director of the Recovery Resource Center, and other local addiction and recovery experts. The presentation was one of only three presented at community colleges statewide as part of National Recovery Month.
"A lot of times what we think about addiction is just wrong," he told them. "Then there's the stigma, shame, and guilt as well — none of which help the person who is entering recovery."
Students learned about the 22.3 million people nationwide in recovery, which has many pathways, from faith-based programs and residential treatment to withdrawal management and outpatient methods.
Local experts from Soulshine, Fellowship House, and New Season also discussed the way they help people recover from substance use disorders. The session, which allowed students to hear directly from people who are in recovery, was sponsored in part by the Treatment and Recovery Committee of the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council.
