ADVOCACY

Many Reason to Advocate

■ Reduce the stigma associated with addiction■ Criminal justice and policy reform■ Share stories of hope to individuals struggling■ Improve access to treatment and support services■ Enhance personal recovery

What do you feel needs to be shared?

Tips to Sharing

■ Determine your goal for sharing: develop key points ■ Make it personal, lead with positivity ■ Talk about recovery, not addiction ■ Know how to alter your message in different situations ■ Pivot away from questions you are not comfortable with  ■ Example Intro: "I'm in long term recovery which means to me...“■ Know your audience■ Use colorful language, anecdotes, and speak in lay man terms■ Be brief

Suggestion for Do Not’s

■ Define recovery■ Use negative labeling language such as addict/alcoholic■ Spend too much time describing your specific pathway to maintain

recovery■ Lie: just say you are not comfortable answering or you do not know

the correct answer

Advocacy and Anonymity

“So let us hasten to work alongside those projects of promise to hasten the recovery of millions who have not yet found their way out. These varied labors do not need our special endorsement; they need only a helping hand, when, as individuals, we can possibly give it”

-Bill W.

http://manyfaces1voice.org/assets/docs/Nov112013/Documentary-about-Anonymity.pdf

Over 25,000 in attendance joined together to show support for individuals in recovery and celebrate the possibility of hope. This celebratory event featured musical artists, actors, politicians, and more, encouraging the country to speak up and speak out about the need for policy reform.

Hill Day 10.05.15

Facing Addiction coordinated Hill Day to encourage those in recovery and their allies to speak to their elected officials regarding current public policy.

NRAP and CASAT visited several Congressmen to express their interest in CARA and several other policies/programs.

National Organizations

■ Faces and Voices– http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/

■ Young People in Recovery– http://youngpeopleinrecovery.org/home

■ Facing Addiction– https://www.facingaddiction.org/

■ Hazelden Betty Ford– http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/advocacy