'Celebration of Recovery' is the title of a series of public events, taking place May 28-31, organised by the community based charity that provides alcohol and drugs information and counselling.
The festival of events aims to highlight the benefits of treatment for not only the affected individual, but for their family, friends, workplace, and society as a whole. Northlands believe that addressing and informing the public reduces the stigma associated with addiction and treatment.
Accurate knowledge of the disease helps people to understand the importance of supporting treatment programs, those who work within the treatment field, and those in need of treatment.
A highlight of the week will be a one-day conference, also entitled a Celebration of Recovery, which will take place on May 28 (10.00am-4.30pm).
The objective for this conference is to provide an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate recovery from addiction. This will also be an occasion to provide insight and offer hope to individuals and their families who experience at first hand the consequences of addiction behaviour.
Barbara McNarry, a sister of George Best, will speak about alcohol and the impact on family life.
Other speakers include TV presenter and journalist William Crawley of BBC Northland Ireland who will speak on 'addiction as a family illness'.
Chris Mordue, Director of Training and Education at Tony Adams Sporting Chances Rehabilitation clinic in Hertfordshire, will discuss how alcohol and drugs affect the brain and behaviour and the recovery process for people in general and also those involved in sporting life.
Writer and Poet and winner of Northern Irelands first BAFTA Damian Gorman will talk about his own journey of recovery.
Meanwhile President of Ireland, Mary McAleese will be guest of honour at a special event in the City Hotel on May 29.
President McAleese will deliver a keynote speech under the theme of recovery; recognising the thousands of people who do recover from addiction and go on to live life to the full.
Other guest speakers on the night, is one of Ireland's leading singer/songwriters Frances Black, who will talk about her own personal struggle with alcohol addiction and how as a mature student she returned to college and qualified as an addiction counsellor.
The night will finish with dancing and music provided by superb local 8-piece band Pure Fresh. If you would like to know about this or any of the other events planned, contact Nuala on 71313232. or e-mail info@northlands.org.uk