Unite Against Addiction

Rockers Set to Rally for Addiction Awareness

Ever since I got sober, I have dedicated my life to doing anything and everything to bring awareness to addiction and recovery. Even though I would've never pictured myself even saying that, it is now my life's mission. So, every time I hear that other people are doing the same thing, I can't help but get excited about it.

On October 4th, a number of high profile musicians and personalities are coming together on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to perform a concert being put on by Facing Addiction, a new organization that is raising awareness about addiction. Acts like Steven Tyler, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Rzeznik, and The Fray will perform to shine a light on this disease.

I have known about the concert prior to the announcement being made, as I am planning on not only attending, but also contributing in a number of ways. With the work that I am able to do at Origins Behavioral Health, I have been afforded the opportunity to help create some PSA's, as well as speak at a breakfast that is being held the morning of the concert about my own personal testimony with addiction and recovery. I am most excited about just getting out there in the crowds and spreading the message that recovery is possible. To me, this event has the potential to open the eyes of people across the nation and possibly worldwide, and I am just so happy to be able to take part in it.

I have been involved in the field of recovery for years now, and I understand how much work and effort it takes to get attention on this issue. Knowing that this concert is going to happen has just made me feel amazed that this level of attention is being raised about addiction and recovery ‐‐ not because I don't believe that this type of awareness is necessary, but because I am ecstatic that huge moves like this are finally being made. With every event that occurs, we get that much closer to changing the stigma about addicts and addiction, and to me, that is the goal of the work that people such as myself strive to achieve.