Recovery simulation in Pottsville sheds light on substance abuse
Jun. 26—POTTSVILLE — About 40 people participated in an event Monday in hopes of understanding — and experiencing — the process of recovery from substance use disorder.
Organized by the Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol office, the simulation took place in the gymnasium of the Salvation Army, drawing participants from across the county to experience challenges and procedures involved in early recovery.
Pearl Robertson, case manager supervisor of the Drug & Alcohol office, said the event shed light on a critical issue in Schuylkill and surrounding counties.
"It brings awareness to the community of how people in recovery have to go through a day-to-day basis of appointments," she said.
Participants included those who work in the fields of juvenile probation, drug and alcohol offices, mental health and medicine.
Each participant received a Life Card, or a description of a fictional person they were tasked with portraying. Each person started recovery with a certain amount of money in their possession, ranging from around $15 to over $1,000.
While in that person's shoes, participants went to different stations in the gym to receive the appropriate services and materials in their recovery journey.
The simulation covered about a month of the recovery process as they underwent the necessary procedures and services, including probation; child support and restitution; a food bank; social services; rental assistance and transportation; and drug and alcohol inpatient rehabilitation.
The event was divided into 15-minute periods, each of which represented a week in recovery.
"Every week, they have tasks that they have to complete, just like in real life," said Elaine Gilbert, administrator of Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol. "For example, they may need to get state ID, drug and alcohol treatment, or they may need personal food items. ...
"The idea is to simulate what it's like in real life for that person who is in recovery."
Monday was the county's first time hosting the event, which was created by the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission.
Robertson hopes to hold the simulations in Schuylkill County twice a year; the next one is planned for the fall.
Giovanni Dunn, 21, an intern with the Schuylkill County Probation Department, participated in the simulation as Nathan, a recovering opioid and methamphetamine addict.
Dunn said his character — who was unemployed and started the simulation with $20 — faced many obstacles in his road to recovery.
"It's really interesting," Dunn said. "You learn a lot about people with these problems. I think it's good that we can (experience) this side."
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
