Last Thursday 509 professionals, 120 in person and another 389 virtual, attended the Appalachian Gathering for Recovery Solutions. The hybrid conference, held at Union College, connected colleagues from across the recovery pipeline as they discussed the current status, the missing pieces, and the future of recovery.

Geoff Wilson, the president of the Kentucky Association of Addiction Professionals, made an informative and impactful presentation of the addiction, suicide, and other trauma-related issues in Appalachia while Al J. Mooney, MD, explained the journey from “Suffering to Serenity” and shared meaningful stories from his national and international experience.

The Appalachian Gathering covered all areas of the recovery pipeline and discussed prevention, drug courts and legal institutions, the role of treatment centers, the role of educational institutions, and the role of community and faith-based groups in recovery. These topics were addressed by panels of seasoned practitioners led by Nancy Hale, President and CEO of Operation Unite; Tim Cesario, Director of Recovery Services at Cumberland River Behavioral Health; Kathy Blaydes-Walczak, Director of Addiction Studies at Union College; Judge Cathy Prewitt; and Reverend Kent Gilbert, President and CEO of Support Centers International. In addition to knowledge about solutions and advances in treatment, the Appalachian Gathering was a forum for sharing stories of successful recovery to instill hope and inspire people who struggle with addiction or who are facing obstacles in their recovery. 

Within the Appalachian Gathering for Recovery Solutions conference, 26 organizations displayed their literature and information about addiction and recovery.

This Appalachian Gathering for Recovery Solutions was organized by a Recovery Solutions Consortium joined by Union College, Operation UNITE, Mission of Hope, Support Centers International, Kentucky Association of Addiction Professionals, The Kentucky Highlands Promise Zone of the KY Highlands Investment Corporation, University of Cumberlands, Tri-County Elks Lodge, SOAR, Volunteers of America, Lilly Endowment Inc, ARC Centers, United Healthcare, Springs of Life, Baptist Health, Berea College, Appalachian College Association, Appalachian Regional Commission, Stepworks, Horizon Health, Healthy Choice Retreats and Tours, Gravity Dyagnostics, David Barton Company.