Hamilton County Coalition hosts recovery event at Miller Park

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Coalition hosted their first annual Recovery Happens Together event Wednesday morning at Miller Park.

Local organizations gathered to celebrate people who are in recovery. 

“We are celebrating our partners, those people that are in recovery, our clients and we are just showing them that recovery is a great thing to be into,” said Maurice Draine, Lifeline Coordinator at Hamilton County Coalition. “We want to let them know what resources are available for them in the community here in Chattanooga, Tennessee and they can know who to contact in case they need services.” 

National Recovery Month occurs every September. 

It helps support new evidence-based treatment for the recovery community. 

“We want to just be able to help our community in the most impactful way possible. Make sure people know that they can come to us with any mental health issues or substance abuse issues as well,” said Kyle Hollowell, Territory Manager at Erlanger Behavioral Health. “We can help get them past that dark part in their life where they think there is no hope.” 

According to the state of Tennessee website, Hamilton County lost 171 people to drug overdoses in 2021.

Finding help is the key to bringing that number down and recovery is possible.

“Recovery is an important part of life. If you look at it, we are all recovering from something. There is nothing wrong with being in recovery and needing help. We are in the community so that we can communicate with individuals as well as build trust,” Draine concluded.