Recovery from alcohol and other substance addictions is the subject of documentary “The Anonymous People,” which will be shown at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.
This event, sponsored by the University’s Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), is free and open to the public. A discussion will follow the film.
“The Anonymous People,” a 2013 documentary directed by Greg Williams, centers on the more than 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addictions. The film “shines a light on the personal and societal value of recovery through the moving stories of people who are public about what their lives are like now that they are no longer using alcohol or other drugs.”
Carol Rose, CRC marketing specialist, said, “This documentary is about breaking the stigma of this disease and changing the conversation from problems to solutions as those with HIV/AIDS have done. This (addiction) is a huge public health issue not a moral failing.”
Rose stated that “people will gain a new understanding of this disease and shift from all the sensationalism that is typically attributed to addiction to lasting recovery solutions.”
Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion with students in the Collegiate Recovery Community and mental health professionals from the community.
The CRC is an offering of UNC Charlotte’s Center for Wellness Promotion. The center promotes, supports and affirms healthy living behaviors among campus community members to foster knowledge, attitudes and skills that are essential for positive decision-making and enhancement of self-esteem. The Center for Wellness Promotion offers health education programs, services and information related to tobacco, other drug use, sexual responsibility and men’s and women’s health issues.