POINT PLEASANT — Treatment for addiction to drugs and alcohol is now closer to home.

A 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 at Trinity UM Church’s social hall, the Mason County Anti-Drug Coalition will welcome representatives from the Healing Place, a treatment facility for addiction recovery, and the Loved Ones Support Group, both based out of Huntington.

Lauri Johnson, member of the Mason County Anti-Drug Coalition, said her group felt there was a need to not only give the community information on paper about recovery options, but to allow the community to meet and discuss recovery options face to face with those who provide recovery assistance.

Johnson said, like a cancer, alcohol addiction and drug addiction are invading the community and touching the lives of many of residents. She said these residents often feel alone. They wonder where they can turn to find a loved one help to overcome their addiction? They wonder who should they turn to for support? Johnson is hoping representatives from the Healing Place and Loved Ones can help answer those questions and answer them close to home.

According to the Healing Place of Huntington, it utilizes a 12-step program philosophy and believe the way to recovery is to offer individuals the opportunity to change their thinking, behavior, and hearts. The Healing Place of Huntington provides a long-term residential program of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The non-medical detox and residential recovery program is provided absolutely cost free to the individual alcoholic/addict. The residents contribute to their room and board in other ways- such as providing services in food preparation, housekeeping, building and grounds maintenance, security, peer-mentoring, teaching, etc. The Healing Place is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and charitable donations for funding and is able to keep costs down to an average of $25 per day per resident and according to the Healing Place, this is considerably less than the average $250 per day in a traditional treatment facility or the $50 per day in a regional jail.

Also, the Loved Ones Support Group is comprised of local people who attempt to provide not only support but resources to those who have a loved one struggling with addiction. The Loved Ones Support Group believe it’s important for not only addicts but their families to recover from the trauma of addiction.

Johnson hopes bringing these groups to Mason County will connect those in need with resources close to home, and as she put it, she hopes they know, “they’re not alone in this journey, and it really is a journey, it doesn’t have any end point.” As Johnson pointed out, if a patient has a successful stint in rehabilitation, the recovery process is ongoing for the rest of that addict’s life.

The informational meeting on Thursday is free and light refreshments will be served.