September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and professionals working with people with addictions want the public to know that recovery is a reality. Sheila Weix is Director of Substance Abuse Services For Family Health Center of Marshfield Clinic. She says much is known about people with addictions, but often less about the other part of the story...
".....the other side of this is recovery does occur. Treatment does work. People get their lives back, they go on to have jobs and have families, be productive members of the community. It's really important we emphasize that at least as much as we emphasize the problem....."
She says more money has been set aside from federal and state sources, but there's a lack of places to get help..."
....the problem was there wasn't a lot of treatment around to begin with and as the opioid epidemic became so huge it completely overwhelmed the resources that are there. We also know we need more work force development. (Nicolet Area Technical College) is opening and is opening an AODA counselor program that has been approved and will open this fall...."
Weix is also part of the Hope Consortium, several related groups in the Northwoods helping those with addictions. Weix says a problem that is actively being worked on is getting more resources to help those with addictions. The website is hopeconsortium.org or toll-free 844-305-4673-(HOPE).
