Memphis Day Reporting Center Holds Friends and Family Day

MEMPHIS – Wednesday night the Memphis Day Reporting Center (DRC) held its Quarterly ‘Friends and Family’ event which was created and designed to serve as an educational and informational program for the family and friends of those currently enrolled in the DRC program regarding addiction and how they can provide support and assistance to those suffering from addiction.

Presentations were given to those in attendance by DRC counselors and staff, and guest speaker, Mrs. Arsenia Wright Holmes.  Mrs. Holmes shared her life experience of formerly having a substance use issue, but finding hope and recovery and works a Peer Recovery Specialist, as well as volunteering at the DRC.

Participants who completed Phase 1 of programming were presented with certificates of completion, and have graduated to Phase 2.  All participants were also given the opportunity to talk about their experience at the DRC.

“When a person struggles with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, the disease of addiction can affect everyone surrounding that person. Involvement of the family and other members of the support system is an important step in the process of treatment and recovery,” said Ella-Victoria Robinson, Clinical Director at the Memphis DRC.  “Equally important, is the process of healing the family and support system.  The goal of this event is not solely about supporting the individual overcoming the addiction, but also about creating a healthy environment for everyone affected by the disease while we celebrate the progress each participant has made on their journey to recovery.”

The Day Reporting Center is a three 9-12 month, three-phase intensive program that focused primarily on substance use, job skills, family reunification, and behavioral and social programs, all with an emphasis on accountability and self-discipline.  The Tennessee Department of Correction operates six DRC’s in total across the state.