LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Healing alcohol and drug addiction in the community takes education and action for people with substance use disorders who are starting on a road to recovery in Lake County.

Even after admitting they have a problem; people who want to overcome their addictions have many other issues to consider: How do they find available treatment programs? Will health insurance cover the costs of the services they need? Will they be able to stay on the job while seeking help?

Answering these questions can help people with substance abuse disorders take the first steps to get the help they need.

When a person is trying to move into recovery, they need to learn new tools to move from an addiction centered lifestyle to a recovery-centered lifestyle.

Although some individuals can change on their own, others require more formal options for treatment and support.

Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services is working every day to inform residents in the community about change readiness; to hear about the options for risk reduction and behavior change.

As a responsible community, it's important to ensure that addiction is recognized as a disease, and treated as such. This is done by educating ourselves about the signs to look for in friends, family and co-workers, such as a sudden decline in performance or attendance at work or school, or sudden changes in behavior or personality.

It's also important to call upon doctors to actively screen patients for and diagnose dependence and addiction, and ask employers to help make treatment available. Help is out there for those who want it.

To assist in these educational efforts and applaud those in recovery, on Sept. 1 Lake County AODS will take part in a big march for recovery rally which takes place on the steps of the State Capitol building in Sacramento.

Other activities will include a proclamation recognizing Recovery Month in Lake County presented by the Board of Supervisors.

There also will be a countywide picnic at Austin Park in Clearlake on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The public is encouraged to attend the picnic for free food, speakers and informational booths.

For more information call 707-263-8162.