Compass Mark’s mission is to prevent addiction through education, skill-building, and community mobilization. On Monday, October 7th, Compass Mark hosted two of the original Freedom Writers, Tony Becerra, and Cynthia Ray, to share their stories with our community. The night was filled with messages of inspiration, empowerment, and resiliency. We celebrated both the 20th…
Recovery Month Celebrates Healing and Thriving Imagine having an illness that is often fatal, but can be recovered from—a highly stressful situation. Now imagine the general public not only believes that recovery is impossible but also blames you for having this illness. Beliefs are powerful, and can determine whether an illness is secret or shared;…
Opioid abuse has garnered plenty of attention lately—with good reason. However, it’s also important for the Lancaster and Lebanon communities to stay aware of the risks associated with other drugs, including cocaine.
The Lancaster, PA community gathered to celebrate addiction recovery during the annual Recovery Walk and Rally at Clipper Magazine Stadium on August 28, 2016. The event featured main speaker Tim Stoddard, founder of SoberNation, a nationwide resource center and online community for those in recovery. Other attendees shared their stories of addiction and recovery as…
What’s in a word? Quite a bit, especially if you’re a person in recovery from an addiction to alcohol or other drugs. A person labeled as a “junkie” may have a harder time maintaining recovery when they feel like they’ve been publicly branded by their fellow community members. Mental Health America, a nonprofit focused on…
How do you turn stigma into law? PA House Representative Bryan Barbin seems to have hit on the solution with three proposed bills that would redirect money from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to what he believes are measures to reduce opioid abuse.
Maybe you lose sleep over how much you’re gambling lately. Perhaps you worry about how much time a loved one spends making bets. Unhealthy gambling behavior isn’t a vice or indulgence; it’s a progressive brain condition with a significant impact on emotional and physical well-being. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to check in…
On September 6th, the Lancaster Barnstormers hosted Recovery Day to help reduce the stigma associated with addiction and to celebrate those in recovery. Part of the special day included a pre-game recovery walk. Former baseball superstar in recovery Dwight “Doc” Gooden, pictured above, also made an appearance. Here are Recovery Day thoughts from Scott Theurer, member…