Kennesaw State’s Center for Health Promotion and Wellness hosted the 11th annual Run for Recovery on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Perch to raise money and help support students recovering from addiction.
Not only does the event raise awareness and give students hope, but it also helps contribute to funds for scholarships that will assist students recovering from addiction or eating disorders, said Teresa Johnston, executive director of the Center of Young Adult Addiction and Recovery.
The center hosts the Run for Recovery every year at the end of August to kick off National Recovery Month in September. During this month, hundreds of events will be held throughout the country to support “the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover,” according the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.
This year, in particular, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness wanted to further expand the reach to eating disorders, according to its website. Some of the programs they offer include nutrition counseling and health promotion events such as Love Your Body Week, Prescription Take Back Day and National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.
According to the Eating Recovery Center, more than 30 million people in the U.S. will have an eating disorder, and over 70 percent of those with eating disorders will not seek treatment due to stigma, misconceptions, lack of education, diagnosis and lack of access to care.
“The prevalence of substance use disorders is high and it is important for those with substance use issues to know they are not alone,” said Sherry Grable, director of the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness. “Run for Recovery is a way to bring organizations together to help educate the community and to provide and promote resources that support recovery.”
Students recovering from addiction can find a list of additional resources on the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery website.
