Had goals: regain contact with his son and live without drugs
The Tragedy of Addiction
Peter relapsed and died of a heroin overdose in 2014
Drug deaths are increasing, with 70,000 Americans dying from overdose in 2017
Research Insights
Addiction recovery takes time (5-7 years) according to Michael Dennis and Christie Scott
Most persons who get addicted do recover
Components of Recovery
Personal Components
Personal will to change (e.g., aging, desire to live)
Social Components
Relationships and social ties (e.g., wanting to marry the love of one's life)
Community Components
Support from the community (housing, jobs, social acceptance)
Importance of Community Support
Community love is very challenging but crucial
Survey: Over 50% of people unwilling to live next to a recovering drug user
Stigma and discrimination against drug users and those in recovery are widespread
Effective Community Models
Native American tribes offer strong community support, focusing on strength and love
Contrast with Belgian communities which focus on individual risks instead of community support
Inclusive Cities Concept
Developed by the speaker and colleague David Best
Cities work together with various stakeholders to support recovery
Examples include: collaboration with dentists for cosmetic recovery and construction companies in Blackpool employing recovering users to renovate buildings
Individual Actions
Use Non-Stigmatizing Language
Change the narrative from 'addicts' to 'people in recovery'
Celebrate Recovery
Make recovery visible with events like recovery games, walks, and rides
Join Online Communities
InclusiveCities.info to share and support recovery initiatives globally
Key Takeaways
Addiction can happen to anyone, recovery is possible
Community support is essential in the recovery process
Take small actions like offering a job, housing, or simply being there for someone in recovery