Former NBA Player

To Share Recovery Story

RIDGEFIELD — Family University 2012 invites the public to hear former NBA player Chris Herren speak about his struggle with substance abuse and his road to recovery on November 15 at 7 pm. The presentation, which is open to the public, will be held at Ridgefield High School Auditorium and is presented by the Ridgefield Prevention Council (RPC) and the Midwestern Connecticut Council of Alcoholism (MCCA).

Intensive, long-term substance abuse treatment for his drug addiction is what placed Herren, a former NBA player, back on the road to recovery. Herren struggled with substance abuse for much of his basketball career. Alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008, he has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else.

“Addiction is an illness and there are plenty of people who are sick. I think it is important to get the message out about recovery because recovery is the key to restoring lives,” said Herren whose story is chronicled in the ESPN documentary Unguarded and his memoir, Basketball Junkie.

Herren has developed numerous programs and speaks to ensure that others — particularly young adults — have the same chance.

“Taking it one day at a time has kept me sober,” he said. “I’ve had many law enforcement officers say to me that in the past, they had little empathy for addicts but after hearing my story, they began seeing it as an illness that requires medical treatment.”

Herren spent 11 months receiving inpatient care to treat his addiction.

RPC operates as a subcommittee of the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCCASA) and is the only townwide advocacy group devoted to educating parents and teens about substance abuse. Family University is a series of educational events targeted to middle and high school students featuring speakers and associated workshops.

MCCA is a provider of substance abuse prevention, evaluation and treatment services in greater Danbury.

Call Suzanne Brennan at 203-438-5992 for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.