By 2024, 1 in 4 members of the United States workforce will be 55 years or older.  In the addiction treatment and recovery field, concerns about the aging workforce are compounded by the overdose epidemic, high rates of staff turnover, and the rapidly changing behavioral healthcare landscape. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop a new generation of addiction treatment and recovery leaders. 

To address this need, the New England ATTC recently announced the launch of a new intensive technical assistance (TA) initiative for aspiring leaders in the addictions field: the Leadership Development Program (LDP).
 

In the fall of 2016, Houston was abuzz with excitement about Super Bowl 2017, which was held at Houston's NRG Stadium. Billboards and restaurants advertised the big game, with accompanying big entertainment and watch parties.

"That's when I realized that people in recovery need an alcohol- and drug-free space where they can participate in all the energy surrounding the Super Bowl," says Abbott.

Addiction is a family disease. Yet mothers are often treated in isolation from their children and partners, having to choose between getting treatment and keeping their families together. One revolutionary program in Compton, California lets women bring them all—fathers/partners and children of all ages—to experience the recovery journey together.

"Bring Them All" tells the story of family-centered care through the perspectives of clients and staff at SHIELDS for Families, proving the seemingly impossible can be done: to move forward a generation of children who never experience—or even remember—the challenges of growing up with family addiction.

On September 26, 2018, the Northwest ATTC in conjunction with the Skagit County Public Health Department and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, co-sponsored a community-based Recovery Month event in Skagit County called “Solution to Addiction: Know the Facts. Join the Conversation. Be Part of the Solution.”

The event brought together 500 community members, county and public health officials, Swinomish tribal representatives, providers, and recovery coalitions to begin an inclusive conversation about addiction and how communities can work together to bring about lasting change.