Families of those suffering with alcohol, drugs in Aspen offered support with local symposium

You’re not alone.

That’s the main message that local nonprofit A Way Out is emphasizing at its annual symposium. 

A Way Out, which provides access to treatment and recovery support to those in crisis with alcohol or other drugs, will be welcoming not just the individuals struggling with dependency or addiction but also those closest to them. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 3 at The Art Campus At Willits, with breakfast included.

“This is not a disease that one person goes through,” Becky Gordon, A Way Out’s executive director, said. “The whole family is so deeply affected. The idea is to help people understand how they’re affected … and really understand what happens when people go to treatment.”

Three speakers will discuss how children of all ages are affected in families with someone suffering from substance abuse. Jerry Moe will talk about how young children are affected by this, Sherry Gaugler-Stewart will talk about the importance of healing the whole family, and Dr. Kardaras will talk about how screen addiction is simulating substance abuse and can lead to other addictions. 

Gordon noted that in the last year or two, A Way Out has been getting “a lot” of calls about tech addiction and parents not understanding what to do. 

“The overall education about tech being its own addiction is important,” she said.

Still, alcohol remains the primary addiction that she sees in the valley.

“Alcohol would be the number one drug that’s abused,” she said, “because it’s so socially accepted. It’s progressive, and it’s sneaky. It’s not uncommon for people all of a sudden to go, ‘Whoa, this is a problem for me.’ For a long time, a lot of people can handle it, and all of a sudden, (they can’t).”

Gordon said the aim of the symposium is to show everyone that there are available resources for recovery. There will be sponsor tables with resources for families and clinicians to gain a better understanding of where to go when loved ones or clients need help. 

“I think it’s really comforting for people to understand that there are so many people struggling and that they’re not alone,” she said. “People think they’re alone, and they’re not.”

Registration, additional information, and a list of sponsors who make the event possible can be found at eventbrite.com/e/1380061122969?aff=oddtdtcreator. Tickets are $23.18 — all proceeds will be used for scholarships for local residents to gain access to care.