“Dispelling Myths about Smoking, Mental Health/Substance Use Disorders and Recovery” will be presented on Tuesday February 19, 2019; from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm; by Rosemary Bak Lowery, MS, CHES®, CNP, ACSM-CPT; Certified Health Education Specialist. Adults with mental illness, including substance use disorder (SUD,) are at risk of dying 25 years earlier than the general population. The major contributor to this premature mortality is smoking-related disease. While cigarette smoking has trended downward in recent years, it is still highly prevalent in adults with mental health and/or substance use disorder (MH/SUD). Why is this so? Recent research has suggested that the biggest issue lies with the many common myths and misperceptions about the relationship between smoking, MH/SUD and recovery. This program will shed light on popularly-cited “facts” about smoking, reinforced by both consumers and care professionals alike. Attendees will not only gain a deeper understanding of the extent of this public health problem, but also understand how they can be a part of the solution. People struggling to quit, or afraid to try because of a fear of adverse consequences, may gain hope as they learn about the true relationship between smoking and MH/SUD. The fact of the matter is: People with MH/SUD can quit smoking, and when they do, they experience improved mental health and greater success in SUD recovery. Time will be given during this presentation for questions and open discussion about challenges faced in quitting smoking, including the culture of smoking in the SUD recovery and mental health community. Resources will be given for further information and for help quitting, or helping others to quit this deadly habit. This program is part of the Dawn Farm Education Series, a FREE, annual education series developed to provide accurate, helpful, hopeful, practical, current information about substance use disorders, recovery, family and related issues; and to dispel the myths, misinformation, secrecy, shame and stigma that prevent people with addiction and their families from getting help and getting well. All programs are free and open to anyone interested. Registration is not required. 1.5 hours of free C.E. approved by MCBAP (Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals) is provided. A certificate to document attendance is provided on request. The Education Series is organized by Dawn Farm, a non-profit community of programs providing a continuum of services for people with substance use disorders. For information, please contact Dawn Farm at 734-485-8725 or [email protected], or see http://www.dawnfarm.org/programs/education-series.
LOCATION: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center Auditorium (ground floor,) 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197.