Recovery-Oriented System of Care Council seeks people in long-term recovery
Egyptian Health Department’s recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) council is seeking people who live in Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline and White counties to contribute to building a supportive vision and carrying out a long-term strategic plan for local systems to support people in long-term recovery. The ROSC Council, an extension of the previous long-standing Substance Abuse Action Team, is working with community members to embrace statewide objectives locally to build a culture that builds and nurtures recovery, builds capacity and infrastructure to support a recovery-oriented system of care, and develop a commitment to implement and sustain a recovery-oriented system of care. Work teams are being established to carry out a recently completed strategic plan which sets a priority for stigma reduction as related to substance use disorders and treatment, creating positive messages about recovery and creating monthly public events that celebrate recovery.
“A recovery oriented system of care is about transforming systems to include people in recovery who will stand up and say, ‘Recovery is possible, and I am doing it!’ It’s not to brag, but rather to inspire and to share ideas for support and inspiration, and reduce stigma of the disease of addiction. Also, to provide hope for others, to be voices for public policy change and to help us look at what things to consider to bring forward as we try to make people in recovery and their stories visible and viable in the southeastern Illinois area,” said Teri Cain, ROSC Coordinator.
An important part of the work of the ROSC Council is to break down the stigma that surrounds addiction and substance use disorder. “The disease of addiction is not a choice. It is truly a neurological disorder, a reaction to chemical ingestion that affects people differently. Yet there is hope because various methods of treatment make recovery possible. By educating people about addiction as a disease that can be treated instead of being a series of bad choices or failure to make good choices, we hope to help people realize that asking for help, for treatment, is the first step toward a happier future,” Cain said.
The first of two educational presentations will be held Thursday, April 11, from 5:30-7:30 at Dorrisville Baptist Church, 1300 S. Feazel St. in Harrisburg. “Addiction as a Brain Disease“ will be presented by Brent Van Ham, Research Development Coordinator, Department of Population Science and Policy at SIU School of Medicine. The presentation will address the history of the disease model, healing processes, and recovery and its stages. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. Continuing education units will be provided. For more information, contact Teri Cain at 618-273-3326, ext. 2260.
