In this session, Devie Phipps, RN, MA, CORP Community Health Educator, will discuss some approaches on why people become dependent upon and misuse substances. In this session, participants will learn about theories and models of addiction.

Theories of addiction covered will include Moral/Spiritual/Temperance Model, Psychodynamic Model, Disease Model, Social Learning Model, Public Health Model, Socio-cultural Model

In this session, our guest lecturer, Dr. Ralph Peterson, M.D., will discuss the behavioral, physical and psychological signs and symptoms of substance misuse/abuse, withdrawal symptoms.  Participants will understand the difference between opioid tolerance, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.  Participants will learn how to recognize a person who has overdosed on substances, and how to intervene.

In this session, Dr. Ralph Peterson, M.D., will define what opioids are and how they affect the brain and body (neurological system,) and cause an addiction.  Participants will learn about the positive and negative side affects of opioid use, as well as the short and long-term effects of misusing opioids. 

In this session, Dr. Chan Hwang will be our guest lecturer. In this session, Dr. Chan S Hwang, M.D., will talk about pain and how it has a beneficial role in protecting an individual who has been harmed from further harm and motivates the person to find a remedy. We will learn how the brain interprets pain and activates endorphins to reduce pain. We will also learn about the short-term benefits of opioid pain killers
and the significant risks of chronic opioid use.

In this session, led by Dr. Joycelyn Peterson, DrPH and Alton Parris, Chemist, participants will learn the differences between triggers and cravings and will also learn how to identify, understand and overcome triggers and cravings. 

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In this session, the dynamic husband and wife team (Drs. Ralph and Joy Peterson) will be our guest lecturers.  Participants will learn the importance of a support system (family, friends, peers, helpers) and the important role of community.  Participants will identify people who will have a positive impact on their recovery journey. 

In this session, Dr. Chan Hwang will present on a very important topic:  Pain Management and other modalities to address pain.  Participants will become familiar with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to manage chronic pain.  Participants will understand the difference between acute and chronic pain, the neurobiology, etiology, and psychology of pain management. 

In this session, several experts will discuss methods to manage pain with limited or no aid from opioid-related medication.  Presenters will demonstrate complementary and alternative interventions to manage stress and conceivably manage pain.  Interventions will include Art Therapy, Breath Work, Contemplative practices (e.g., meditation, prayer, self-reflection), Emotional First-Aid Kit/Self-care Kit, Muscle Relaxation, Music Therapy or to manage stress, Self-care (interventions) 

In this session Devie Phipps will discuss the stress-response cycle, healthy vs. unhealthy ways to manage stress, coping skills and share strategies to help participants learn how to stop and “take two...”   This session will include a demonstration in addition to lecture, participants will learn coping skills an strategies

Dr. Ralph Peterson and Devie Phipps will discuss the Trans-theoretical Model (Stages of Change).  Topics covered will include Pre-contemplative Stage, Contemplative Stage, Preparation Stage, Action Stage, Maintenance Stage, Termination Stage 

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In this session, Dr. Ralph Peterson will share how to use introspection to reflect and cope with negative internal feelings and external influences.  The discussion will focus on introspection:  how you view yourself, how others view you (reality or perception), and how it affects self-image and the ability to cope.   

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In this session, the dynamic duo Drs. Ralph and Joy Peterson will be joined by Dr. Carmen Clarke, M.D., to share with participants steps to recovery.  Recovery is in all aspects of life—psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social. In this session, participants will learn addiction recovery techniques and how Influences—relationships, employment, lifestyles—impacts the recovery process. 

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The purpose/objective of this training is:

- To define motivation
- To learn what role motivation plays in recovery from addiction
- To learn about motivation and addiction from a lived experience

Objectives for this session includes:
- Create an awareness of the role plant-based nutrition has in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Provide Phytochemicals in foods to lower LDL Cholesterol
- Discuss foods that reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
- Identify the mechanisms that make foods effective.

​This session will allow participants to ask questions of the experts (doctors and other experts who presented throughout this series).  Also, there will be a discussion about options for treatment/referrals and steps towards getting better. Experts include Dr. Joy Peterson, Dr. Chan Hwang, Dr. Ralph Peterson

This evening's session is about welness and self-care. Something that all of us can usually use a bit more of.

In this session we'll be talking about Narcane. The tradename is NARCAN but the generic name is Naloxone. We will learn about:
1. What NARCAN is, what it is used for and how it works.
2. Signs & symptoms of opioid drug overdose
3. WHen and how to administrer NARCAN (nasal spray)
4. How to get NARCAN
5. Discuss Opioid Misuse Risks in the workplace & how you can make a difference

Dr. Joy Peterson is going to share recipes and demonstrate preparation of foods that will help increase our mood and will help with brain development and increase feelings of well being. On the menu tonight is:
 
* Vegan Sesame Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
* Brown Rice and Barley
* Chickpea Salad
* Pineapple Smoothie

This evening's presentation is special because we have two people who have volunteered to share their personal and lived experiences with Opioids. They are volunteering their time and experiences to hopefully help others who may be battling with substance abuse. Our first presenter will be Marita McIntyre and our second presenter will be Phillip Moore.

Tony Adams and Dr. Otto Wilson have been working with young artists, and involve them in this important effort to help spread the word on Opioid addiction and let me people know that there is help and resources to help them overcome. Tonight we'll focus on the wonderful talents displayed with the young people. The theme provided to the young artists is "Healthy Brains and Hearts: Keeping your brain healthy to make the best choices." 

We will be reviewing some of the more important information that we have learned over the past several months since March. But we will be doing in the form of a game called Kahoot!. We will have a quiz, Shedana and Otto will be presenting questions and the contestants will get directions on how to answer.