This week, our club was joined by Lisa Searchinger, Executive Director for Recovery Café-Longmont, and Diana DeBrohun, who represented the Board of Directors of the Café. The theme of Lisa's talk was the "Opposite of Addiction is Connection."
The Recovery Café-Longmont serves members who are dealing with substance abuse, addiction, life traumatic events, homelessness and mental health issues. The Café is part of a national network that focuses on accountability. The program is person-centered and peer-supported. Colorado has experienced a rise in drug and alcohol-related overdoses and suicide events and currently ranks 4th in the nation for these events.
The Café was closed briefly due to COVID-19, but has recently reopened, operating under strict protocols. The Café is funded mainly through grants, foundations and donations. Lisa encouraged members to watch a Ted Talk by Johann Hari with the title, "Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong."