Who we are
Wisconsin Voices for Recovery (WIVFR) is a statewide peer-run movement that brings together people in and seeking recovery, their family members, professionals, and allies.
Our Goals
- Eliminate addiction and recovery stigma through education and increasing public’s personal contact with individuals in recovery and their family members.
- Provide technical assistance in rural areas around development of recovery support services.
- Engage in capacity building efforts in order to support other recovery community organizations and individuals.
- Focus on regional training and education.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This month holds a special place in my heart as I am someone who once struggled with alcohol. Alcohol Awareness Month was developed to increase awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of one of our nation’s top public health problems: alcoholism.
Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in America, with approximately 95,000 deaths per year from alcohol-related causes.1 Over 80% of people age 12 and older have reported alcohol use during their lifetime.2 Alcohol impacts households all across America. I feel very strongly that we must continue to increase outreach and education regarding alcoholism and other alcohol-related issues, especially with our youth.
Denial seems to be a common trait among those who suffer with alcoholism. I would like to challenge the minds of those who read this. Is alcohol knit too tightly into the fabric of Wisconsin’s leisure and entertainment industries? Are we all doing our part to tear down the stigma surrounding alcoholism? What emotions stir inside of you when I ask you these questions? Addiction impacts most of us either directly or indirectly and now is the time to act. Now is the time to get involved in raising awareness. Wisconsin Voices for Recovery is here to help engage these discussions.
Montee Ball,
CCAR recovery coach and Outreach Specialist with Wisconsin Voices for Recovery
1 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (n.d.). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics. Accessed April 6, 2021.
2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2019). 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.17B—Alcohol Use in Lifetime among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group and Demographics Characteristics: Percentages, 2018 and 2019. SAMHSA; https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29394/NSDUHDetailedTabs2019/NSDUHDetTabsSect2pe2019.htm#tab2-17b. Accessed April 6, 2021.
Nalox-Zone Update
Nalox-Zone has landed in it’s first police station!! A huge thank you to the Horicon Police Department for taking the lead on installing a life saving measure in your facility! We are so very honored to be partnering with you on this initiative.
Thank you to Chief Joseph Adamson for your continued support of recovery services throughout Dodge County and for always being a champion when it comes to harm reduction measures.
Thank you to Charter Spectrum for stopping by to film the install.
And as always.. thank you to our amazing sponsor Serve You Rx, for without you, none of this would be possible!
You can find the Spectrum News 1 story about our install Here
and continue to follow us on Facebook Here
Stay tuned for more Nalox-Zone updates as we continue to complete installs around the state!
*For more information on this project please contact
Jessica Geschke at: wisconsinvoicesforrecovery@fammed.wisc.edu*
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE
2021 RALLY FOR RECOVERY!
Follow us on Facebook for more important updates on this year's Rally:
https://fb.me/e/2g3PoQazT
WIVFR Outreach Specialist's Jessica Geschke and Montee Ball will continue to host the S.O.B.E.R (Stories Of Badgers Empowering Recovery) podcast. This podcast will focus on interviewing members of the community, both locally and nationally, who are in recovery from substance use disorders and those that support a loved one in recovery or active addiction. This month's podcast guest was Aaron Gabriel, Founder and President of the nationally recognized Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association. Their mission is ensuring that Black men and boys living in under-represented communities have the opportunities to live fuller, and healthier lives.
Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, can support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people. Deepening your understanding of LGBTQ-related issues, including basic terms and concepts, can help you support LGBTQ-identified people. You can become an ally in relation to the LGBTQ issues that effect our communities and this training can show you how.
Please join us for this 3 PART Series Event!
Mark your calendars today and get registered!
Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZIpdeGrpj4tHtHPtcqG_Z-TkwN8w
