Rains from Hurricane Ida may have prevented J's Place from hosting Hall Recovers, an outdoor candlelight vigil to remember those they have lost to addiction, but it did not stop them from moving inside and online to remember their peers and loved ones.
"Often times when a person is in active addiction, they think that they're the only one who thinks that way, they're the only one who has experienced these things in their life," said Executive Director Jordan Hussey following the virtual event. "So it's important for us to talk about it because we want people to know, number one, you're not alone, you're not the only one that's gone through this or is going through this; and number two, you have options to get and stay well."
Four speakers talked about the grip of addiction, of substance abuse disorders, and of the hope that comes with recovery. They spoke about the path they traveled, how addiction had changed their lives and what was possible as through recovery. Lawler West spoke about his substance use experience, including a life-saving experience with NARCAN.
"I didn't want to do this but I feel like it's necessary for people like me to open up and just share hope, cause I know there's people out there in the same shoes I was in," said West. "One thing I would say to them is you can't do this alone, you know what I mean? I've tried and it's just not something you can do alone, so reach out."
Another speaker was a medical professional, one was a parent and support for a person in long-term recovery, and the last was Hussey, who shared her challenges in getting to long-term recovery.
Hussey said through the pandemic, J's Place had exploded. The need for recovery assistance had grown, and Hussey said they had even lost some of their J's Place family.
"Some have gone back out, and some have gone back out and used and not made it," Hussey said. "Overall, our numbers have actually more than tripled. We've gone from about 600 services to 1,600 services in a matter of months. And we jumped again to almost 2,000."
The nonprofit also moved into a new facility on Lanier Park Drive and Hussey said they're striving to maintain in-person meetings as safely as possible even as COVID-19 numbers creep upwards.
Those seeking addiction recovery or substance abuse disorder are encouraged to reach out to J's Place, with contact information online or on social media.
This is the second annual Hall Recovers candlelight vigil. Tuesday, August 31, was International Overdose Awareness Day.
