BILGER’S ROCKS – With September being National Recovery Month, Recovery Nature Walks and Serenity Day was planned to make its local debut at Bilger’s Rocks on Saturday.
The event was planned to bring awareness of addiction and addiction treatment programs for two reasons: One to help prevent further people becoming addiction to either drugs or alcohol; Two, to help those who might want assistance, but don’t know where to turn. Representatives from the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous were present.
Rain dampened the plans for the first Recovery Nature Walks and Serenity Day, but people still arrived.
“This is a national thing everywhere in the United States,” said Terry O’Conner of the Bilger’s Rocks Association.
According to O’Conner there were similar events for some time in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas of Pennsylvania, but never in the center region of the state. This was the year that was to change, and potentially become a yearly tradition at Bilger’s Rocks.
“Once they get on this stuff they want to quit. They don’t know how. That’s why we are here,” said O’Conner.
He explained that for many present at the vent addiction is seen as a disease rather than a moral choice. It is something that has physical and mental symptoms.
“There is help there. Nothing to be ashamed of. There is anonymity,” said O’Conner.
Joe Zbieg of the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission explained that there are three facets to fighting addiction: prevention to stop it before hand, intervention for those already addicted and management for those in recovery.
For Zbieg the event allows for education and distribution of materials. The more people armed with knowledge the easier for it to spread to those who need it.
“I think the people who need us couldn’t find us if we didn’t reach out,” said one member of N.A./A.A. As part of the group’s anonymous nature she requested her name be withheld.
This member has been sober for two years and three months after having a relapse since joining the organization five years ago.
“It never hurts to have a look at things to see what is happening in different organizations,” said the female member.
“I find it very beneficial to help spread the news about what the Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous program does,” said a second male member, name withheld for the same reason.
“I think it is very important that people with a problem know where they can turn to,” said the male anonymous member.
He stressed that while N.A. and A.A. are spiritual groups that tend to meet in churches, neither is a religious organization. The branches have no rules, but “suggestions”. They pay rent to churches so they don’t feel obligated to obey the church.
“We’re all inclusive. There’s no age limit, race, sexual discrimination,” said the mail anonymous member.