Recovery is a Reality

1. Recovery is a Reality

2. National Recovery Summit A Call to Action In 2001, recovery advocates came together with national allies to establish Faces & Voices of Recovery, a nationwide advocacy campaign. As many of you know, recovery advocates from around the country came together in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2001. Rep. Jim Ramstad, Senator Paul Wellstone, William White, and many of you here today joined with recovery advocates in a call to action.As many of you know, recovery advocates from around the country came together in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2001. Rep. Jim Ramstad, Senator Paul Wellstone, William White, and many of you here today joined with recovery advocates in a call to action.

3. Faces & Voices of Recovery is working to mobilize, organize and rally the families, friends and allies of millions of Americans in recovery from addiction in a campaign to: End Stigma and Discrimination With financial support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and many individual donors, and the time and commitment of thousands of recovery advocates around the country, we are working to: Click and each of the three pieces will appearWith financial support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and many individual donors, and the time and commitment of thousands of recovery advocates around the country, we are working to: Click and each of the three pieces will appear

4. Recovery Community We are working to raise the voices of people in recovery, their family members, friends and allies � the recovery community.We are working to raise the voices of people in recovery, their family members, friends and allies � the recovery community.

5. Recovery Community Many Voices, A Common Message By speaking, writing or supporting advocacy efforts, members of the recovery community can make a profound difference in public understanding of addiction and recovery and change policies that put up barriers to recovery. We are coming together to build the power that will change the way people in our country view addiction and recovery. All across the country people are hard at work. It�s time to shine a light on those efforts, bring them together and lift it onto the national scene.We are coming together to build the power that will change the way people in our country view addiction and recovery. All across the country people are hard at work. It�s time to shine a light on those efforts, bring them together and lift it onto the national scene.

6. Paths to Recovery There are many paths: Mutual Support groups Professional treatment Nontraditional methods Medical interventions On your own Faith and more Millions of Americans � from all walks of life � have found a path that has led them to a new life, free from the disease of addiction. Millions of Americans � from all walks of life � have found a path that has led them to a new life, free from the disease of addiction.

7. Governance Structure We are governed by a 21-person Board of Directors and organized into 13 regions. Merlyn Karst from Advocates for Recovery in Denver, CO is our chair. Our regional representative is [fill in the name for the region that you are in]. We have just started an email discussion group or listserv of recovery advocates in each region as well as a regional page on our web site at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org. We have incorporated and are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. We are governed by a 21-person Board of Directors and organized into 13 regions. Merlyn Karst from Advocates for Recovery in Denver, CO is our chair. Our regional representative is [fill in the name for the region that you are in]. We have just started an email discussion group or listserv of recovery advocates in each region as well as a regional page on our web site at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org. We have incorporated and are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

8. Message of Hope �Many of us have carried a message of hope on a one-to-one basis; this new recovery movement calls upon us to carry that message of hope to whole communities and the whole culture. We will shape the future of recovery with a detached silence or with a passionate voice. It is time we stepped forward to shape this history with our stories, our time and our talents.�  William White We are carrying a message of hope and healing. We are stepping forward and mobilizing.We are carrying a message of hope and healing. We are stepping forward and mobilizing.

9. Across the country, family members, friends and allies are rallying in support of recovery � creating a new recovery movement!!! You and I are the new recovery movement.You and I are the new recovery movement.

10. Supporting Local Recovery Advocacy Increasing access to research, policy, organizing and technical support Facilitating relationships among local and regional groups Improving access to policymakers and the media Faces & Voices is supporting local recovery advocacy We are bringing recovery community organizations together We frequently receive calls from reporters and other media, and we are connecting people in recovery and their family members with the media. Faces & Voices is supporting local recovery advocacy We are bringing recovery community organizations together We frequently receive calls from reporters and other media, and we are connecting people in recovery and their family members with the media.

11.  Public Opinion Research In 2001, in a first-ever survey of the recovery community, we found that half of the recovery community said that they would be likely to take part actively in a public campaign � there are millions of Americans who we can enlist in our campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.In 2001, in a first-ever survey of the recovery community, we found that half of the recovery community said that they would be likely to take part actively in a public campaign � there are millions of Americans who we can enlist in our campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.

12. Public Opinion Research Broad/Deep Support for Changing Attitudes and Policies A majority of Americans (63%) have been affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. A majority (67%) believe that there is a stigma toward people in recovery. A majority (74%) say that attitudes and policies must change. There has been a dramatic shift in public attitudes when it comes to addiction recovery � our work is paying off! 2004 Survey of the General Public; Peter D. Hart Associates & Robert M. Teeter�s Coldwater Corporation In 2004 we conducted a bi-partisan survey of the general public to find out more about what the public knows about addiction and recovery. One finding is that the public doesn�t know what recovery is all about and what it means. In 2004 we conducted a bi-partisan survey of the general public to find out more about what the public knows about addiction and recovery. One finding is that the public doesn�t know what recovery is all about and what it means.

13. Talking About Recovery There are some important things that we�ve learned from our research about how to talk with people about recovery: Making it personal, so that we have credibility. Keeping it simple and in the present tense, so that it�s real and understandable. Helping people understand that recovery means that you or the person that you care about is no longer using alcohol or other drugs. We do this by moving away from saying �in recovery� to saying �in long-term recovery,� talking about stability and mentioning the length of time that the person is in recovery. Talking about your recovery�not your addiction. TALKING ABOUT RECOVERY Faces & Voices of Recovery is very excited to share with you language that you can use to talk with the public and policymakers about recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. This messaging is a result of in-depth public opinion research with members of the recovery community and the general public. We encourage you to use this �messaging� or language in all of your recovery advocacy � if you are speaking out as a person in recovery or a family member or friend. Over the last two years, Faces & Voices of Recovery has been working to find a way to describe and talk about recovery so that people who are not part of the recovery community understand what we mean when we use the word �recovery.� We realized that we needed to find a way to talk about recovery that would allow us to be clear and believable when describing it in a way that will move our advocacy agenda forward. TALKING ABOUT RECOVERY Faces & Voices of Recovery is very excited to share with you language that you can use to talk with the public and policymakers about recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. This messaging is a result of in-depth public opinion research with members of the recovery community and the general public. We encourage you to use this �messaging� or language in all of your recovery advocacy � if you are speaking out as a person in recovery or a family member or friend. Over the last two years, Faces & Voices of Recovery has been working to find a way to describe and talk about recovery so that people who are not part of the recovery community understand what we mean when we use the word �recovery.� We realized that we needed to find a way to talk about recovery that would allow us to be clear and believable when describing it in a way that will move our advocacy agenda forward.

14. Talking About Recovery MESSAGING OR LANGUAGE FOR A PERSON IN RECOVERY I�m (your name) and I am in long-term recovery, which means that I have not used (insert alcohol or drugs or the name of the drugs that you used) for more than (insert the number of years that you are in recovery) years. I am committed to recovery because it has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future, while helping me gain stability in my life. I am now speaking out because long-term recovery has helped me change my life for the better, and I want to make it possible for others to do the same. WHAT�S NOT IN THE MESSAGE AND WHY �I�m a recovering addict (alcoholic).� When people hear the words addict or alcoholic, it reinforces the idea of a revolving door; that you or the person in your family is still struggling with active addiction. Information about particular pathways to recovery. The message does not mention a particular pathway to recovery, addressing concerns that people in 12-step programs, whether AA, NA, Al-Anon or other programs may have about their anonymity. A definition of recovery. This message describes recovery, so that the person you are speaking with or the audience you are addressing, understands what recovery means, that you or your family member is in long-term recovery and that others should have the opportunity to recover as well. You are not speaking out as a physician who is diagnosing a person who needs treatment referral or as an insurance company deciding whether or not someone�s care should be covered. �Addiction is a disease.� �Addiction is a health problem.� In our research, and as we�re sure you know from your own experience, we found that many people believe that addiction is a moral issue, not a health problem. Even when someone says that they believe it�s a health problem, when we scratched below the surface, we found that because of their personal experiences and/or prejudices, it�s difficult for many Americans to truly believe that addiction is a disease or a health problem. We have side-stepped engaging in a discussion about whether or not addiction is a health issue and gone straight to our message: Real people, their sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers are in long-term recovery from addiction and their lives, and the lives of their families are better because of it. That�s why we need to make it possible for even more people to get the help they need, and once they are in recovery, remove barriers that keep them from long-term recovery. Potential opportunities to use these messages include: With the media on all levels In coalition meetings With supporters In meetings with legislators In materials you develop to help you drive your overall strategies In short, any time you write or speak about recovery, publicly or privately, remember to use these messages. WHAT�S NOT IN THE MESSAGE AND WHY �I�m a recovering addict (alcoholic).� When people hear the words addict or alcoholic, it reinforces the idea of a revolving door; that you or the person in your family is still struggling with active addiction. Information about particular pathways to recovery. The message does not mention a particular pathway to recovery, addressing concerns that people in 12-step programs, whether AA, NA, Al-Anon or other programs may have about their anonymity. A definition of recovery. This message describes recovery, so that the person you are speaking with or the audience you are addressing, understands what recovery means, that you or your family member is in long-term recovery and that others should have the opportunity to recover as well. You are not speaking out as a physician who is diagnosing a person who needs treatment referral or as an insurance company deciding whether or not someone�s care should be covered. �Addiction is a disease.� �Addiction is a health problem.� In our research, and as we�re sure you know from your own experience, we found that many people believe that addiction is a moral issue, not a health problem. Even when someone says that they believe it�s a health problem, when we scratched below the surface, we found that because of their personal experiences and/or prejudices, it�s difficult for many Americans to truly believe that addiction is a disease or a health problem. We have side-stepped engaging in a discussion about whether or not addiction is a health issue and gone straight to our message: Real people, their sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers are in long-term recovery from addiction and their lives, and the lives of their families are better because of it. That�s why we need to make it possible for even more people to get the help they need, and once they are in recovery, remove barriers that keep them from long-term recovery. Potential opportunities to use these messages include: With the media on all levels In coalition meetings With supporters In meetings with legislators In materials you develop to help you drive your overall strategies In short, any time you write or speak about recovery, publicly or privately, remember to use these messages.

15. Talking About Recovery MESSAGING OR LANGUAGE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND OF A PERSON IN RECOVERY I�m (your name). My (insert son, daughter, mom, dad, friend) is in long-term recovery, which means that (insert he/she) has not used (insert alcohol or drugs or the name of the drugs that he or she used) for more than (insert the number of years) years. I am committed to recovery because it has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future. I am now speaking out because long-term recovery helped us change our lives for the better, and I want to make it possible for others to do the same. HOW AND WHERE TO USE THIS MESSAGE We hope that you will use this message, day in and day out, in all of your advocacy work. �Staying on message� means using the same message over and over again, until it becomes part of our common understanding. You may get sick of saying it, but a unified message, from the entire recovery community is what we need to do now. This basic message will help us maintain our focus and continuity as it gets integrated into everything that we do. In the future, when there�s greater public understanding of recovery, we will be able to change our basic message. HOW AND WHERE TO USE THIS MESSAGE We hope that you will use this message, day in and day out, in all of your advocacy work. �Staying on message� means using the same message over and over again, until it becomes part of our common understanding. You may get sick of saying it, but a unified message, from the entire recovery community is what we need to do now. This basic message will help us maintain our focus and continuity as it gets integrated into everything that we do. In the future, when there�s greater public understanding of recovery, we will be able to change our basic message.

16. 2004/2005 Accomplishments Right to Addiction Recovery Platform Speakers Bureau eNewsletter and web site Public Opinion Research New governance structure Rising! Recovery in Action quarterly Six regional trainings on fighting stigma to end discrimination We, along with recovery advocates around the country, have been very busy, speaking out and organizing about the power of recovery. We release our Right to Addiction Recovery platform annually. It can be found on our web site. It lays out where we need to be going to exercise our rights and gain the rights that we have been denied for too long. This Powerpoint presentation was developed by one of our working groups. Tom McHale from Project VOX in Flint was the technical person behind it. We now have a Speakers Bureau, where recovery advocates use the Powerpoint to go out around the country and talk with local recovery advocates about organizing and mobilizing to change policies and join in our national campaign. Today, we are governed by the recovery community. I�ve already talked about our public opinion research findings and will be talking more about our plans for the future in the next few minutes. We, along with recovery advocates around the country, have been very busy, speaking out and organizing about the power of recovery. We release our Right to Addiction Recovery platform annually. It can be found on our web site. It lays out where we need to be going to exercise our rights and gain the rights that we have been denied for too long. This Powerpoint presentation was developed by one of our working groups. Tom McHale from Project VOX in Flint was the technical person behind it. We now have a Speakers Bureau, where recovery advocates use the Powerpoint to go out around the country and talk with local recovery advocates about organizing and mobilizing to change policies and join in our national campaign. Today, we are governed by the recovery community. I�ve already talked about our public opinion research findings and will be talking more about our plans for the future in the next few minutes.

17. Congressional Caucus Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Co-chairs Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) & Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) Our goal One-third of the U.S. House of Representatives join. August 2006: 83 have joined, only 61 more to go! We are also working to encourage members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join the Congressional Caucus on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery. This important effort gives us an opportunity to further educate federal elected officials and rally support for changed federal policies that will support addiction recovery. At the federal level, many different committees and agencies are responsible for our nation�s alcohol and drug policies. The Congressional Caucus gives us one focal point to build support for policies that support recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and bring down barriers. The hand out you have lists the names of members of Congress in your area. If your member has already joined, get in touch and thank him or her, set up a meeting and build a relationship. If your member hasn�t joined, asked him or her to join today. This is a very easy thing for members of Congress to do and is a way to find out what the work you have ahead of you is to build an ally for addiction recovery. Last September, members of the Congressional Caucus went to the floor of the House of Representatives and told stories of recovery from their constituents, many of whom attended Faces & Voices� 2005 summit.We are also working to encourage members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join the Congressional Caucus on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery. This important effort gives us an opportunity to further educate federal elected officials and rally support for changed federal policies that will support addiction recovery. At the federal level, many different committees and agencies are responsible for our nation�s alcohol and drug policies. The Congressional Caucus gives us one focal point to build support for policies that support recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and bring down barriers. The hand out you have lists the names of members of Congress in your area. If your member has already joined, get in touch and thank him or her, set up a meeting and build a relationship. If your member hasn�t joined, asked him or her to join today. This is a very easy thing for members of Congress to do and is a way to find out what the work you have ahead of you is to build an ally for addiction recovery. Last September, members of the Congressional Caucus went to the floor of the House of Representatives and told stories of recovery from their constituents, many of whom attended Faces & Voices� 2005 summit.

18. September 2005 Summit Last September we held our second national summit, in Washington, DC. 250 recovery advocates from 43 states came together for 3 days of training, organizing and bringing the Faces & Voices of Recovery to federal policy makers and officials. You can go to the Faces & Voices of Recovery web site at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org to experience the Summit � hear recovery advocates tell their stories to members of Congress at our Recovery Month luncheon on Capitol Hill and hear from Dr. Nora Volkow, the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and hear what recovery advocates are up to in Delaware, Connecticut and Kentucky! Recovery advocates returned to communities all over the country and continued their work to end discrimination and support recovery! Last September we held our second national summit, in Washington, DC. 250 recovery advocates from 43 states came together for 3 days of training, organizing and bringing the Faces & Voices of Recovery to federal policy makers and officials. You can go to the Faces & Voices of Recovery web site at www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org to experience the Summit � hear recovery advocates tell their stories to members of Congress at our Recovery Month luncheon on Capitol Hill and hear from Dr. Nora Volkow, the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and hear what recovery advocates are up to in Delaware, Connecticut and Kentucky! Recovery advocates returned to communities all over the country and continued their work to end discrimination and support recovery!

19. 2006 Victories! Led successful fight to restore funding for the Recovery Community Services Program Restored $2.5 million for recovery community organizations providing recovery support services around the country Over 140 applicants for just 7 grants In January of this year, we learned that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had decided to stop funding the Recovery Community Services program, the only federal program providing funding to recovery community organizations that are providing innovative, effective recovery support services. Thanks to our mobilization of advocates around the country, within 24 hours after sending out an Action Alert, SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie agreed to continue funding the programIn January of this year, we learned that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had decided to stop funding the Recovery Community Services program, the only federal program providing funding to recovery community organizations that are providing innovative, effective recovery support services. Thanks to our mobilization of advocates around the country, within 24 hours after sending out an Action Alert, SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie agreed to continue funding the program

20. 2006 Victories! GOT RECOVERY? Want to go to school? Thanks to the advocacy of the recovery community and our allies, on July 1 individuals with prior drug convictions will be eligible for federal financial aid to attend technical school, community colleges and universities! Exercise your right to financial aid! For the last four years, Faces & Voices of Recovery has been working with allied organizations to repeal the ban on federal financial aid to students with drug convictions. We were successful this January in securing a partial ban � we have a flyer that you can download from our web site to inform people in your community about this important new opportunity which was secured because of the work of recovery advocates all over the country. We will continue to work for full repeal of the ban.For the last four years, Faces & Voices of Recovery has been working with allied organizations to repeal the ban on federal financial aid to students with drug convictions. We were successful this January in securing a partial ban � we have a flyer that you can download from our web site to inform people in your community about this important new opportunity which was secured because of the work of recovery advocates all over the country. We will continue to work for full repeal of the ban.

21. 2006 �The Power of Our Stories� video released Media trainings in Louisville, KY and Los Angeles, CA using � �Talking About Addiction Recovery� Rising! Recovery in Action Regional discussion groups and networking We have released a 45 minute training video, with a training video workbook. Hear how people in recovery, their family members and friends are telling their stories to change attitudes and public policy. We sponsoring media trainings in Louisville and Los Angeles and will be holding more -- where recovery advocates will learn how to talk with the media about long-term recovery. We�ll be holding more house parties, where people can come together in homes, churches and treatment centers, to learn more about being recovery advocates and taking action. We�ll be publishing four issues of our quarterly publication Rising! Recovery in Action and building our regional networks of recovery advocates. The most recent issue of Rising! is on our web site and is all about recovery support services.We have released a 45 minute training video, with a training video workbook. Hear how people in recovery, their family members and friends are telling their stories to change attitudes and public policy. We sponsoring media trainings in Louisville and Los Angeles and will be holding more -- where recovery advocates will learn how to talk with the media about long-term recovery. We�ll be holding more house parties, where people can come together in homes, churches and treatment centers, to learn more about being recovery advocates and taking action. We�ll be publishing four issues of our quarterly publication Rising! Recovery in Action and building our regional networks of recovery advocates. The most recent issue of Rising! is on our web site and is all about recovery support services.

22. 2006 Rally for Recovery!  Congressional Briefing on Recovery Support Services Civic Engagement Campaign Voter registration & restoration of rights Bumper stickers, buttons and more! Founding Member Drive Save the Date: Rally for Recovery! September 15, 2007 We are also planning a new campaign that we hope you will participate in. We�ve launched the Recovery Community Civic Engagement Campaign � letting recovery advocates know how to organize candidate forums, where people can ask candidates for elected office where they stand on the issues that affect the opportunity for people to get into and sustain their recovery. We have information about voter registration, and bumper stickers, buttons and much more. We are also planning a new campaign that we hope you will participate in. We�ve launched the Recovery Community Civic Engagement Campaign � letting recovery advocates know how to organize candidate forums, where people can ask candidates for elected office where they stand on the issues that affect the opportunity for people to get into and sustain their recovery. We have information about voter registration, and bumper stickers, buttons and much more.

23. Faces & Voices helps build relationships among local and regional groups � sharing resources. All across the country, individuals and organizations are mobilizing. Faces & Voices and allied organizations are working to build our growing movement.All across the country, individuals and organizations are mobilizing. Faces & Voices and allied organizations are working to build our growing movement.

24. Want to get more active? Think about your story � as a person in long-term recovery, as a family member� how can you use it with policymakers, the media, and others to build our recovery advocacy movement. We�ll also keep you informed of trainings and other opportunities to build your skills as a recovery advocate. Think about your story � as a person in long-term recovery, as a family member� how can you use it with policymakers, the media, and others to build our recovery advocacy movement. We�ll also keep you informed of trainings and other opportunities to build your skills as a recovery advocate.

25. Want to get more active? Is there a recovery community organization in this area? This is a grass roots movement, strong local recovery community organizations are the heart and soul of our work. If there isn�t, brainstorming about where to go from here? Can we help you get organized? If there is, brainstorming about ways to involve more people in that work. Is there a recovery community organization in this area? This is a grass roots movement, strong local recovery community organizations are the heart and soul of our work. If there isn�t, brainstorming about where to go from here? Can we help you get organized? If there is, brainstorming about ways to involve more people in that work.

26. Want to get more active? WHAT YOU CAN DO 3. Join the Faces & Voices of Recovery Campaign! Join with others to raise our unified voices at the national level. Everyone who�s at today�s training will start receiving our bi-monthly eNewsletter. Spread the word � let other recovery advocates know about this exciting resource and the growing recovery advocacy movement! And Faces & Voices of Recovery has just launched a membership drive � we hope that you will join today! Everyone who�s at today�s training will start receiving our bi-monthly eNewsletter. Spread the word � let other recovery advocates know about this exciting resource and the growing recovery advocacy movement! And Faces & Voices of Recovery has just launched a membership drive � we hope that you will join today!

27. Be living proof that recovery is a reality! www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org Join us, together we can break down the wall of shame and stigma that creates discrimination against people in recovery and keeps others from seeking it. Thank you! Are there questions?. Join us, together we can break down the wall of shame and stigma that creates discrimination against people in recovery and keeps others from seeking it. Thank you! Are there questions?.