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Recovery breakfast a way to reach out

RECOVERY CENTER — Carl Campbell, left, and Ray Webber look over a book describing the rules, regulations and programs offered at Renaissance House II, a half-way house for recovering addicts in Jefferson County. Campbell is the house manager, and Webber is a resident and house assistant. The two were representing the house and answering questions during the Family Recovery Center Breakfast held Wednesday at its facility on North Sixth Street. -- Amy Neeley

STEUBENVILLE — The Family Recovery Center, a drug and behavioral health treatment facility at 1010 N. Sixth St, held a “recovery breakfast” Wednesday for the community.

The breakfast was a way for interested community members and other social service providers in the area to learn about the programs and services offered at the center.

A continental breakfast was set up in the first group room of the offices and then visitors were encouraged to wander through the building visiting informational booths and staff and consumers at their leisure. The topics covered included education and prevention, individual and group treatment, special programming and family and children.

The center offers consumers Suboxone treatment to fight opioid addiction and individual and group treatment to help with the behavioral issues.

Dr. Karl Getzinger is the center’s physician’ and he explained how the two — Suboxone and group treatment — work together to help patients reach their recovery goals.

“It’s a difficult job,” he said. “There are high points and low points. For many clients it is getting them to understand that medication is the answer. That recovery is the key.”

Clinical Director Ann Brandt noted the center’s goal is to treat the entire problem. The plan is to provide full care, not just maintenance.

“We focus on all aspects. It’s not just, come in and get their Suboxone, we focus on the recovery,” she said.

Alan Moorehead, one of the center’s success stories who was an addict for more than 40 years, is celebrating more than 1,450 days sober.

“When I started, I had no hope, no vision,” he said. “I was angry. They were great here — the counseling, the follow-up program. (Being an addict) is a full-time job. I like my job now better. I am happy now.”

Moorehead mentioned that after 10 years of not speaking to his family, he now is a happy and contributing part of the family.

“I am going to visit my son in California,” he said. “I don’t think I would have made it without (the treatment at family recovery.) I can cure this. I can make it right.”

Another important part of the recovery process for many addicts in the Renaissance House II and III located in Jefferson County. The residences serve as half-way house for addicts exiting jail or rehab or who are homeless.

The residents are given shelter, support, counseling and medical treatment, as well as classes in job and life skills. They also are given the opportunity to volunteer at the Jefferson County Humane Society to help give back to the community.

Ray Webber of Zanesville is a resident and assistant at one of the houses. He admits it is not always easy living with other addicts, all of which are at different stages of their recovery, but it is a learning experience.

“It can be good or it can be bad,” he said. “In (Narcotics Anonymous) we are taught everything is a teachable moment.”

When asked about what it is like to see a resident make a bad choice or relapse, Webber said it’s all about perspective.

“It can be hard,” he said. “For me, I am done. It just reminds me I am done.”

Carl Campbell, the house manager and a recovering addict himself, said their are consequences for breaking the rules at the halfway house, but there is compassion too.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy and you can be punished — maybe that just means a higher level of care,” he said. “But we believe in second chances. I have relapsed after 18 months, and I was given a second chance. Sometimes it does hurt. Sometimes that relapse is the last one. That is my fear.”

The center also offers a few programs that are controversial to many, but important in the eyes of the recovery world, according to officials. On the first and third Friday of each month the center offers a needle exchange program, which is important in the fight against diseases, such as Hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS, common with IV drug users, officials said.

The center also offers a Project Drugs Avoided with Naloxone program for Narcan, which is the drug used to help overdose victims.

Cody Anderson, the center’s court navigator, is the the instructor for Project D.A.W.N.

“I teach what an overdose looks like and how to administer the (Naloxone),” he said. “I will even do private classes. Everyone gets a kit afterward.”

Anderson admits that the program has mixed reviews from some in the community.

“They need education and they will get that,” he said.

“Unless you live with it, it is hard to understand,” Brandt said.

Anderson also accompanies many addicts to court to speak on their behalf. “We advocate for treatment instead of jail,” he said.

Moorehead thanked the center for helping him when he didn’t have many options left.

“They are very good,” he said. “The understanding, the caring.”

Anyone interested in services provided by the recovery center, 1010 N. Sixth St., can call (740) 283-4946 or visit familyrecovery.org.

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