Addiction in the Young Adult Years — Dr. Steven Lee

What is an addiction? What are the major Use disorders of Young Adults? How to distinguish a psychological problem caused by the addiction versus a Co-occurringDisorder? What can I do as a parent or caregiver and what should I not do that may make the addiction worse? Dr. Lee has over 30 years experience as a General Psychiatrist and Addictionologist. He currently holds the following leadership positions at Ridgeview Institute: Program Director, Adult Psychiatric Outpatient Services; Program Director, Young Adult Addiction Program; Program Director, Young Adult Psychiatric Program.

From Darkness Into Light — Mark and Jackie Oerther

Mark and Jackie Oerther will share a powerful parallel testimony through childhood into addiction as well as into "recovery" where they met, fell in love and got married. Mark got sober at age 21 and has worked in the treatment industry for 17 years and just celebrated 20 years of sobriety. Mark has made it his life's mission to help young adults find a new way of life from active addiction, through treatment, meetings and 12 Step work. Jackie a former heroin addict, who had been in and out of jail and wanted by the FBI, was looking at 15 years in prison when a judge instead offered her treatment. Jackie just celebrated 17 years of sobriety and has a ministry working with women who are incarcerated and is also a Speaker and Bible teacher at Women's events. Mark and Jackie will also share their experience with their son who is also a prodigal and in the process of creating his own "powerful testimony" and how to stay unified in marriage & have peace in the midst of a prodigal.

Stories from Parents of Prodigals — Susan Folger, Phil and Marti Blackstock

We are excited to have parents from our POP support group come to share their personal stories of their journey with their prodigals. They will address the feelings, family dynamics, issues they dealt with, and the steps they took to get help for their prodigal. They will also share where God was and continues to be along their journey and how He continues to work in their lives.

A Life-Changing Story of Heroin Addiction — Missy Owen

Missy Owen shares her powerful and heartbreaking story of how her life was forever changed. Missy is the mother of Davis Owen, whose life was taken by the disease of heroin addiction. This terrible tragedy prompted Missy to start the Davis Direction Foundation.

Role of the Family in Relapse Prevention — Laura Pugsley

Laura Pugsley, director of Outpatient services at Foundations Recovery Network in Roswell, will speak about the role of the family in relapse prevention, specifically focusing on communication and accountability. We will be looking at the differences between accountability and monitoring as well as open and direct communication of thoughts/feelings/needs to generate discussion versus shaming and passive-aggressive styles. The goals are to educate family members as to what a relapse prevention plan looks like, the role of the family in the relapse prevention plan, benefits of open and direct communication and finally the accountability versus monitoring.

Good Intentions Bad Outcomes — Susan Pea

Susan is a licensed clinical social worker, and has ten years of experience with Metro Atlanta Recovery Residence, a long-term residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. She has counseled family members on loving and supporting addicted loved ones in healthy ways.

The Biology of Addiction and Associated Psychiatric Disorders — Dr. Michael Lyles

Dr. Michael Lyles, a well-known psychiatrist in the Atlanta area will speak on “The Biology of Addiction and Associated Psychiatric Disorders” - There are some drugs that are more prone to causing addiction than others. There are some drugs that tend to trigger craving and increase the risk for relapse. There are some drugs that tend to trigger depression, anxiety and psychosis. This talk will discuss the biology of how these issues occur in the brain.

Dealing with a Family Health Crisis — Kevin and Harriet Sulcer

Promise Point

By Harriet Sulcer

Kevin and his mom Harriet share their amazing story of God's faithfulness and deliverance as their family went through a serious family health crisis. This is also the subject of Harriet's book Promise Point.

Embracing Powerlessness — Dr. Mark Crawford

It is so difficult to accept powerlessness in our lives - (i.e., the things we cannot change) - and how this is where we have the greatest opportunity to experience a depth of faith and God’s grace and how we can get there. Dr. Crawford is a well-known clinical psychologist in the Atlanta area. He works with individuals, couples, and families, and he maintains an interest in performing neuropsychological evaluations. 

Learning the Hard Way — Panel of Prodigals

In sharing their prodigal stories, a group of four young adults offer hope to parents of prodigals who are weary and discouraged. As we hear the truths they've learned the hard way, we are reminded of the great lengths God has gone to—sometimes gently, other times forcefully—in order to capture our attention and lead us back home again.

Her Personal Journey with two Children in Recovery — Jennifer Walton

Jennifer Walton shares her personal story of her journey with two children in recovery. Jennifer is also the Advocate for the Davis Direction Foundation for Opiate/Heroin Addiction and the administrator for the Addict's Mom Georgia Chapter.

Being a Prodigal - Kimball Delamare and Leah Madamba

We invite you to come listen to Kimball's very personal story of being a prodigal child and how he found his way to sobriety and back to his spiritual beliefs. Kimball and his colleague and fellow therapist, Leah Madamba, will share with us the importance of faith, family and friends in the treatment process.

Wayward Children: Are we to Blame? — Rick Petronella

In young adulthood, the possibilities for the future abound, as do pressures to succeed. The decisions made during this time can impact the rest of their lives. Rick Petronella has served as Clinical Director, as well as Program Director of neuro-psychiatric, psychiatric, and substance abuse treatment hospitals in the States of California and Georgia from 1987 thru 1996.

7 Bridges to Recovery — Pastor Seven Wells

Seven Wells is the Director of 7 Bridges to Recovery. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior while in solitary confinement at USP Atlanta in 1996. Unable to read or write, he requested a Bible upon his release from solitary confinement and supernaturally began to read. Since the Word of God is alive and active, the rest in history.

Not East But Worth It — Randy and Susie Eberhard

God never said that life would be easy He just promised that it would be worth it! Randy and Susie Eberhard have walked the journey of parenting that took them down several different roads.   Their three sons presented different challenges and though it wasn't the story they anticipated, they know God has walked every step with them. Randy is on staff with Young Life and Susie is a dental hygienist in the area.

Finding the Right Treatment Program — Tom Connell

"A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Strategies for Finding the Right Treatment Program". Tom Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery Center in Ball Ground, GA, has ] 28 years of experience working in the behavioral treatment field.

Hope for Parents — Daniel Krasner

Daniel Krasner, Interventionist and National Clinical Solutions Provider with The Ranch at Dove Tree, a residential treatment center for drug and alcohol addictions for Young Adults and Adults, shares his story and gives hope to parents.

Understanding the Behavioral Aspects of Addiction — Thurman Strother

"The Spiritual Journey of Recovery" and "Why we do what we do". Thurman Strother is the Program Director of Foundations Recovery Network in Roswell, GA.

Depression: The Unholy Ghost — Dawn Collinge

Diagnostic criteria for depression. The relationship between suicide and depression The link between substance abuse and depression. Evidence based treatment strategies. Dawn Collinge is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Skyland Trail in Atlanta, GA.

All American Girl Addicted — Hannah Brett

Hannah Brett shares her story of growing up as a kid that every family wanted but ended up addicted to alcohol and going into treatment at 26 years old. Today Hannah is a national rep for Turning Point in New Haven, CT., traveling the country working with treatment providers, health care professionals, schools, and families who need to place their adolescent and young boys with co-occuring disorders.