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Spring 2012 Newsletter

News & Blog

Fairbanks to Host Addiction Awareness Symposium – September 30

September 10, 2012

To celebrate National Recovery Month, Fairbanks will host an Addiction Awareness Symposium on Sunday, September 30. This free conference titled “Addiction Happens. Recovery is Possible.” will feature panel discussions, resource exhibits and breakout sessions on intervention and family support. The event is designed to educate faith-based communities and is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the disease of addiction.

Communities of faith are often the first place a person will turn when struggling with an addiction. However, many clergy report that they do not have the knowledge or skills to provide support for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drugs. In fact, 94.4% of clergy consider alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction important issues in their congregations, yet only 12.5% received any coursework on this issue during their studies in seminary (CASA, So Help Me God! 2001)

The Addiction Awareness Symposium at Fairbanks will offer tools and resources to better prepare church leaders to help parishioners struggling with drugs and/or alcohol problems. The schedule of events is as follows:

Noon-5 p.m. Food Trucks and Ministry Resource Exhibits
1-1:45 p.m. Personal Stories of Recovery Q & A
1:45-2:15 p.m. Bruce Perkins - Interventions
2:15-2:45 p.m. Brian and Julie Unwin - Family Support
2:45-3 p.m. Break and Exhibits
3-3:45 p.m. Substance Abuse Ministries Panel
3:45-4 p.m. Rev. John Wantz - Identifying Addiction in your Congregation, past president of Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis

The conference will be held at the Fairbanks Recovery Center at 8102A Clearvista Parkway in Indianapolis. For more information, visit the addiction awareness symposium page or contact Kathleen Gill at 317-572-9469.

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WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Cindy came to Fairbanks with the desire to put her drug-using lifestyle behind her.

Now, she is an active volunteer through Fairbanks’ alumni services.

She helps greet individuals and families as they take their first step in seeking treatment at Fairbanks. She helps ease their anxiety by sharing her story. Cindy describes her life as active and full of opportunities to succeed and assist others. She feels that her future, without drugs and alcohol, has a lot in store for her.

“During my use, I described myself as living on the dark side of the moon, but now I am on a brighter side. On this side I feel like I am supposed to help others who are struggling. So I keep reaching out to them, which also keeps me sober.”
READ CINDY'S STORY>>

David, a past patient and active volunteer at Fairbanks, was the recipient of the 2008 Volunteer of the Year award.

David works hard to assist other individuals and families, helping them understand that there is hope; and that the impact of recovery is real and powerful.

“I remember Dr. Tim Kelly told me to get in the backseat and let my recovery program drive me, and I’ve been doing that ever since,” said David. “Now, I’ve got my family back. I’ve found peace, I’m happy, healthy and I am complete. I have a sense of peace and serenity that I’ve never had in my entire life.”
READ DAVID'S STORY>>

The disease of addiction often affects the entire family. When Melinda’s mother, Adell, was struggling with alcoholism, Melinda found herself feeling hopeless.

“Before my mother embraced treatment and recovery, I was certain that her addiction was going to kill her,” said Melinda. “I came to Fairbanks because I didn’t know what else to do, or where else to go. I just knew that we needed help. I told my mother that I couldn’t help her, but I knew a place that could.” That place was Fairbanks.

“Recovery means bringing life back to a loved one, and it has truly been a blessing for her, our family and me,” said Melinda. “I’m indebted to Fairbanks forever.”
READ MELINDA'S STORY>>